As I've written in a previous article, I love being a stepchild. I love knowing that my brother, my step siblings, and I now have more parents to love and be loved by. Being a child of divorce and then a child of a blended family can be a complicated, messy, amazing life.
1. Your parents still don't answer the phone.
It kind of defeats the point of having spare parents when you still can't get a single one to answer the phone when you need them. It's a numbers game that I'm still losing.
2. There are more people to say "yes"...
When your parents are married, you can sometimes convince one to talk the other into agreeing to your request. When they're divorced, that's not much of an option (you can, however, use their subconscious desire to be the favorite parent to your advantage). When they remarry, you basically just have to convince one of the four parents. Eventually you learn which to ask in different situations.
3. ...And "no."
It can seem like they're conspiring against you sometimes- one parent will spread the word and you're hearing the word "no" before the question leaves your mouth.
4. You have greater chances of being the favorite.
I now have 4 parents and 9 living grandparents, which significantly increases my odds of being someone's favorite.
5. You can be much more fun than a "real" child.
My stepmom had the misfortune of being around for my moody, eating-disordered days, so that was probably less than a blast, but by the time my mom's husband was fully involved in our lives, I was nearly cooked into the full blown pseudo-adult I am today. He gets to enjoy my delightful self without having had to bother with raising me from birth, which I assure you was no walk in the park. Although I'm sure the stepchildren I've heard about who stomp their feet and shout "you're not my real mom" on repeat could potentially be even less fun than actual childbirth.
6. You have more people to repeat yourself to.
"Did I already tell you this? Oh, maybe I told mom. I thought I'd told all of you, I feel like I've told this story 12 times..."
7. Communication is a major struggle.
Blended families, at least in my experience, have about four different group texts going at any given moment. One with all four parents, one with one family, one with the other, a separate conversation with each parent and sibling...
8. Except when it comes to punishments.
Then, somehow, everyone suspiciously seems to stay on the exact same page.
9. You always have something to turn to.
I have four parents each with unique personalities, so I always have someone to turn to for the support that I need. If I'm looking for a hug, I go to my mom. Someone to get mad along with me? My stepdad for sure. Which parent I vent to depends on the response I'm feeling. Don't tell them though.
10. Your life will never be dull again.
I have two sets of parents and six siblings in the same city, along with five sets of grandparents and more aunts, uncles, and cousins than I can count (although most of them were pre-existing). It's safe to say that I will never be lonely, bored, or well-rested again. There will also never be such a thing as a "calm" holiday season in my life. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
