{Photo Credit: barnezydotcom}
Ok so not really; but I feel like one.
Being the step-mom of 2 teenage girls I frequently struggle with ways to bond with them. The one thing I thought I had going for me is the fact that it hasn’t been that long since I was their age. This doesn’t bear much weight however; I have now realized, as any parent of a teen does, I will never be “cool.” Nor should I want to be, but that’s another post.
I’ve also had to accept that I can’t push things on them that I like in order to relate. I learned this the hard way when I tried to introduce them to golf.
Instead I’ve paid attention to what interests them.
I had a hard time figuring out what my oldest step-daughter and I could do together. She is very artistic and I’m more into sports. She is a girly girl and I wish it were socially acceptable to stay in my pj’s all day. Then one day I noticed that she was reading the same book I was and from then on we’ve had something to come together about. We’ve hashed out comparisons of the Harry Potter books to the movies and debated if we are team Edward or Jacob while speed reading the “Twilight” series.
It was much easier with the youngest. She is all things video games. We have raced together, shot aliens together, and most recently dueled on guitars.
I have learned that it’s not important if our opinions differ or if I lose at the game we are playing; (which is quite often the case.) The important thing is that I am showing my girls that I love them and that I am interested in the things that interest them. It’s also my way of showing them that when it come right down to it, I will take the time to be with them.
On a side note, I just beat my 16 year old at Guitar Hero, who’s the ROCKSTAR now!?!_____________________________________________________
When she’s not being a rockstar, wife, mom or step-mom, Tina writes at her blog Madhatter Mom.
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Taking the time to be with the is definitely the most important part!
I was lucky with both my step sons, they were pretty young when I met them (five and six). We were able to bond over art projects and my vast knowledge of super heroes (I loved comics as a child). It's not always easy to find the common ground but in my experience it is always there, somewhere!
Congrats on your rock star status!
I love rocin' Guitar Hero with the kids…its SO much fun! Keep rockin' it – no matter what is, sharing something with the kids matters.
~K