2025-07-17 – News – www.theguardian.com
It’s fine to have mixed feelings about being a step-parent, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. But what you do with those feelings might not be
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Am I a bad person for being very wary of my five-year-old stepdaughter? I had resolved to not have children of my own but when I met my partner, with whom I have a wonderful relationship, he came with two children from a previous marriage. He’s very supportive and understanding in giving me my space from the children when I need it, and he’s come to respect the fact I am making concessions in my life to take on parenting.
I love both the children but the youngest is a challenge. She presents a lot of the characteristics of her mother – she has no shame, no accountability, zero fear of authority and is incredibly spoilt. My partner struggles with this too. I know she’s five and you can’t expect someone so young to be accountable, but I’m really worried she won’t grow out of it.
