I find it feeling like a chore to get along with him sometimes, especially when he is being difficult. You see I grew up in a military household where we were taught to play quiet, do as you’re told, and don’t talk back. These values were often beaten into us quite literally. If nothing else they taught me what kind of parent not to be, and to show respect cause you never know who is gonna haul off and deck you in the mouth. With every abuse my father threw at me and my brother I swore I won’t be like that.
Now I am trying to raise a child who is not blood with one who is blood and I find it harder to tolerate my step-son’s misbehaviors. Don’t get me wrong I love them both equally and would die for either one, it’s just I seem to have a shorter fuse with him. I rarely spank only incases where he is acting in a way that could seriously injure himself or others. {Like the day he tried to stab on of his friends with a sharpened stick.} I remember what it was like so instead I use exercise as punishment for minor infractions, Jumping jacks, sit-ups, etc.
It often makes me wonder, is this normal in all step families? Most of the people we talk to and the Dr’s who we’ve discussed this with seem to think that it is normal. I wonder what you think?
