Photos like the one above, bring me so much joy. Seeing the girls playing together and creating memories is the reminder that I needed today. As much as I wouldn’t recommend being in a blended family, I also don’t regret it. 

It’s incredibly hard and takes constant work. Mostly to keep things fair and ensure the girls feel loved and secure. It’s a long term investment which often feels like it has no short term gain. 

It’s hard to place myself sometimes, I often feel out of place in my own home. There are added complexities at play, especially in having a special needs child. I often feel like I am running on empty with five kids to care for, working and keeping on top of housework. 

We have my step daughters 50% of the time and I take a very active role in their lives. I feel intense empathy for my step daughters as I know how it feels. My relationship with my step mum growing up wasn’t good and as a result I am greatly aware of their needs, especially validating feelings and ensuring they get the attention they need. 

I see my step daughters as my daughters and I will never refer to them as half sisters to my own little girls. The absolute joy that they bring to my 3 year old when she sees them, is so pure and beautiful. She misses them so much when they are away and talks about how much she loves them. 

It’s normal to get overwhelmed and it’s normal to want to vent your frustrations. Parenting and step parenting is demanding, it doesn’t matter if they are biologically yours or not. Kids test boundaries and push the limits of your mental health. 

It’s 100% hard and it’s challenging. Your relationship is not just with your partner and their children, there are always complexities to manage and personalities in the mix who do not always align.

This is the reality of blended families. They have the potential to be truly amazing but to get there it takes significant sacrifice and consistent hard work. 

Lydi x