Yesterday, I shared with you the Children of Divorce Bill of Rights. Today, I'm sharing another. The Stepmother's Bill of Rights. Again, I am unsure of the origin of this, though I have seen versions of this on various stepfamily support websites for several years.
- Our marriage is our first priority, and we will address all issues together.
- I will be part of the decision-making process in my marriage and family at all times.
- People outside the immediate family – including ex-wives, in-laws and adult children – cannot make plans that affect my life without my consent.
- I will not be responsible for the welfare of children for whom I can set no limits.
- I must be consulted about which children will live with us, when they can visit and how long they will stay.
- I will not be solely responsible for housework; chores will be distributed fairly.
- I will be consulted regarding all family financial matters.
- Others may not violate my private space at home, nor take or use my possessions without my permission.
- I will never be treated as an “outsider” in my own home.
- My husband and stepchildren must treat me with respect.
While the absence of one or a few of these is certainly common at times with families, any one of these could become hot button issues if you and your family aren't on the same page. Everyone in the house deserves to be treated with respect and courtesy and this list is a nice reminder of that.
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