Stepparenting Rewards

My stepson called me this week and asked for some "motherly advice." He and his roommate were having trouble getting along and he wanted my view of the situation.

I was flattered that he asked for my opinion. But I was even more thankful to hear him ask for "motherly advice." That's as close as my stepson comes to referring to me as his mother.

Stepparents don't get to experience rewards often, especially in the early years. So when we do receive a hard-earned reward for the job we're doing, we can pat ourselves on the back, realizing our efforts are not in vain.

I have seen more rewards as a stepmother since my stepchildren reached young adulthood. The years I spent working on a healthy relationship and showing how much I cared for them are now rewarded with love and respect for me.

There were many times I wanted to give up and thought it was too hard to keep pursuing a relationship with them, especially when it was obvious they didn't care about having another mom in their lives. But I now see the rewards I would have missed if I'd quit.

Perseverance is worth every effort we make. When we're struggling in our stepparenting role, quitting is never the answer.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Are you experiencing stepparenting rewards?