Greetings!
There are thoughts in life that have never crossed my mind, and some that appeared once but I quickly waved them off because I saw them as either less important or a "no-go" area. One of those thoughts I immediately wave off when it appears is the idea of step-parenting. It’s not that I see it as a crime—no, it’s neither a crime nor a sin—but I just haven’t deeply considered it, and that’s because I can’t imagine myself being in such a situation.
When it comes to families with stepdaughters and stepsons, they’re not far removed from me. I have uncles and aunties who are in this category, and I know how life happened to them before they found themselves in such a spot. Life was unfair to them in ways that I have never imagined for myself. Although many people easily get involved in marrying someone with a child out of love, often it happens in difficult situations, like when someone has a child from a previous relationship, either due to divorce or the death of a first partner. Wait, are there any other reasons people end up marrying someone with a child aside from these two? I think these are the main ones, and that’s why I’ve never wanted to experience it.
Growing up, we had a lot of cousins who lived with us for many years before they left, and we never had any issues. That’s because my parents were very accommodating, and since we were many in the house (I mean my siblings and I), there wasn’t too much difference. Plus, we had a big farm, and working together in such a large group was a great force to tackle the work in the fields. So, we never had issues, and this shows how well I can live with anybody, especially a child who isn’t mine. But when it comes to the thought of marrying a lady who already has a child from another relationship—no, no, that doesn’t sit well with me.
Do I have a tangible reason for this?
To be completely honest, if money wasn’t an issue, I wouldn’t have a problem paying for someone else’s child’s school fees, and I wouldn’t mind housing other people in my home. However, the thought of marrying a woman and having someone as a stepson just doesn’t sit right with me, and I can’t find a genuine reason to justify my feelings toward it. I just don’t like the idea.
***Now, for those who are already involved in step-parenting, is it the right thing to do? ***
Well, we all have our preferences, and sometimes it’s life circumstances that lead someone into that kind of situation. In either case, I don’t think it’s a bad choice for the parents involved. Maybe that’s what they were destined for, after all...every individual has their destined life partner on earth. If someone’s life path includes that stage, then it’s meant to be.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Hiveghana prompt of the week.