Bonus Mommy Bonuses

There is this stigma about step parents being these horrible people who hate and abuse their step kids in some form or fashion, thanks to the Evil Step Mother in the movie Cinderella. Well I can say all step parents aren’t bad. I was actually raised in a blended family. I had a step father. It was not perfect, beleive me. It had it’s days but it also had it’s Joys and rewards. I use the term “had” because he became my father despite him and mom no longer being together. He still loved and supported me. Just like being a Bonus mom to my 2 wonderful bonuses babies.

Over the weekend I got to experience how much they love me and need me, and this wasn’t the first time. It’s always a new and refreshing feeling when this moment occurs. Whenever my bonus son is upset or just misses me, he clings to me instead of his dad(he is a daddy’s boy all the way! He adores his daddy). This in turn makes my other children jealous because they feel he is getting more attention than they are. The joy of being the prize in your children’s eye is amazing.

We were at my sons’ flag football game. I saw my bonus son walking towards me and he looked really upset. I asked him to come sit with me. He did without hestation. I asked him what was wrong. He didn’t say any thing, so I just hugged him and told him I loved him. His face instantly lit up and he was ok. I whispered in his ear “Go ask daddy if we can go to Famous Dave’s” he ran off so fast, I wasn’t ready. Lol but to see his smile, to see him excited to know that he knows that I truly love him as my own is the biggest bonus I could ever get.

Being a parent is difficult. Being a Bonus Parent is even harder. But it is worth it when you do it right. When you love your kids the way they need to be loved and love them unconditionally, they understand that love. They accept and value that love. They will still work every nerve you have, but they will love you back just the same.

Think about these things and you tell me if it’s not a bonus:

1. You have a major impact on their lives now and in their future.

2. As long as you love them they will love you back

3. If they live with you, you get to be the primary influence and present person they can depend on.

4. They will drive you bonkers but give you every reason why it’s worth it.

5. They need you just as much as your spouse and you’re an important piece of the family.