Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Worst Things About Being a Stepmom

10) My boyfriend and I are equals . . . except on those weekends we have my step kids. Then he’s *gulp* in charge.

9) If we have a not-so-nice weekend, that’s the memory we’re all left with until the next scheduled weekend. Along those same lines, if we try a new policy or behavior modification technique, and it doesn’t work, we have to wait two weeks to try another one.

8) Every other weekend is a whirlwind of trying to visit everyone on our side of the family who cares about the kids because it will be at least two weeks until the next time they’ll see them.

7) We had to get a minivan to accommodate the family we have twice a month and three weeks in the summer. A minivan!

6) When I had my son, I was all basking in the glow of new motherhood while my boyfriend was all *yawn* been there, done that, twice.

5) I’m quite sure my own kid thinks it’s ok to call me by my first name b/c, after all, his brother and sister do.

4) We have no control over what they do when they’re with their mom, which includes things like watching TV all day, eating Butterfinger Yo Crunch (really?) for breakfast, and listening to Taylor Swift.

3) We only get snippets of their “other lives” from them b/c they’re kids and have the memory capacity of goldfish except when it comes to Taylor Swift lyrics.

2) I have to be on my best behavior on step kid weekends so I don’t somehow cause my boyfriend to lose what custody he has.

1) After only a few days with them, we have to send them back to their mom.

Top 10 Best Things About Being a Stepmom

10) I have these two wonderful children and I didn’t have to carry them for 9 months, birth them or breastfeed them.

9) My son, who otherwise would’ve been an only child, has a brother and sister.

8) Hey man, I’m just the stepmom so I am in no way responsible for any failures past, present, or future. [editor's note: but, I will totally take credit for any and all successes.]

7) They introduced me to Phineas and Ferb which is the Best. Cartoon. Ever.

6) Getting them into The Grateful Dead is that much better because I know it drives their mom nuts!

5) I don’t have to be all parent-y all the time with them. I can be their friend too. After all, we’re on a first name basis.

4) It’s not a big deal when I miss soccer or basketball or gymnastics (which I do all. the. time.)

3) I don’t have to take them clothes shopping, keep track of their homework and activities, remember their friends’ names, argue with them about why they don’t need cell phones, keep up with their laundry or fight with them about brushing their teeth.

2) I know that, because of them, I’m a better mom to my son.

1) After only a few days with them, we get to send them back to their mom.