Childminding vs Stepparenting

**venus89** · 30-07-2009, 08:41 PM

Which is easier?
I find I'm a far better childminder than I am a stepmother.

LOOPYLISA · 30-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Well im not cm anymore, but being a step parent

Very hard work, i admire anyone who is one

**sarah707** · 30-07-2009, 08:48 PM

I find step parenting the most challenging... probably because they have a really strong mother figure and I'll never get it right with them.

Whatever I say or do and however hard I try, whatever she might have done to them I am not her.

I hope I'm kinder to my exes partner. I try hard to work with her as I feel that benefits my children.

**venus89** · 30-07-2009, 08:52 PM

I am very relieved to hear you say that! I always feel like the biggest heel - I find it easier to be with some of my mindees. I feel I have more of a right to 'encourage positive behaviour' with them. And they listen to me more! My stepdd just goes blank if I try to talk about what she's doing or saying, just switches off. I don't know if I'll ever have that bond with her

Pipsqueak · 30-07-2009, 09:12 PM

Not a step parent but I sometimes feel I am a better minder than I am mother!

**carebear25** · 30-07-2009, 09:51 PM

I love being a step mum an I'm so happy my partner chose me 2 fill the place. I get on wit his ex's family which helps. Her brother is my partners best mate an god father 2 our son.
As I am from same environment I think that has helped me understand my step son.my friends ask me how I do it an I just say he's my son an amy decisions or plans always involve him.

**Cammie Doodle** · 30-07-2009, 09:55 PM

Not a step Parent, but an ex Foster Parent, not sure what Im best at although my son says Im the greatest Mum

Oh Bless him he is 25 lol

**pumpkinsmum** · 30-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Nearly 10 years of being a step-mum now and I definately think minding is easier. Especially as mindees have nothing to gain by playing me off against their mum

and when I tell them they can't have something there is no 'daaaaaaa-aaaaaaaaad, it's not fair, Mum would let us!' Bless my step-kids!

**Spangles** · 30-07-2009, 11:05 PM

I'm not a stepmum but imagine that to be very, very hard in most cases.

I don't envy anyone in that position especially when the children are older. It seems to be a most complicated relationship and very hard to get the right balance but as I say I'm not one so just get this impression from people around me.

xx