Oh, lifehack.org, how I love you. You’re one of my very favorite blogs- and that says a lot, I read a LOT of blogs. Today they bring us a story that’s close to my own heart- how to be a great stepdad.

Dustin writes:

Becoming a step-dad is akin to becoming a father, but there are a few important differences that I’ve learned matter a lot.
For one thing, it happens pretty quickly — one minute you’re single,
the next minute you are surrounded by children in varying stages of
development. There’s no slowly growing into your role or nine months of
anticipation. [...] I’m not sure I’m a great step-father just yet, but I do think I’m becoming one.

I love that. And I think my husband, who is also a stepfather, would agree. Dustin goes on to make some great points, especially "Your love knows no bounds, but your authority does". I was just telling a friend last night that we don’t have a whole lot of that "You’re not my dad, you can’t tell me what to do" with my 13 year old, because Mr. Ivy doesn’t go around trying to assert his authority all over Flip. Flip must be respectful to Mr. Ivy, of course, but Mr. Ivy doesn’t go ordering him around or punishing him, either.

Instead, Mr. Ivy handles things like, "Flip, could you tell your friends not to call the house at 2 AM? It disturbs our sleep." and "Flip, would you mind helping me clean out the garage? I’ll let you start the truck." It works wonders in our house. Flip and Mr. Ivy also have common interests, and they pursue them together.

So, if you’re in a stepparenting relationship, go on over to lifehack and see what Dustin’s on about, it’s an important read.