A stepmother or stepmom is the current wife of one’s biological parent. (source: Wikipedia).
What a simple definition for such a big responsibility. Wikipedia goes on: “Step parents (Mainly stepmothers) may also face some societal challenges due to the stigma surround the “evil stepmother” character. Morello notes that the introduction of the “evil step-mother” character in the past is problematic to stepparents today, as it has created a stigma towards stepmothers. The presence of this stigma has had a powerful, negative impact on stepmothers’ self-esteems.”
This stigma makes being a stepparent even more challenging than it already is, always second guessing yourself in your feelings, actions, etc. And, if I am having a bad day then I’m thinking “and the evil step mom strikes again", when a "biological" parent probably wouldn’t think twice, and probably yelling twice as loud. We all have bad days but when you’re trying so hard not to be the stereotypical it makes it even worse.
Don’t get me wrong, over the years I enjoyed reading and watching movies that portray an evil stepmother that the child/children eventually become free of, but all these stories have really created a stereotype that challenges me as a step mom, almost daily. Am I giving her the right advice, am I showing her how much I love her every day, am I teaching her everything I possibly can, am I a good example to her, what am I missing? Even though I take care of her and love her as my own, there’s always this wall that I’m up against, one that society has created and one that I will break down, with the help of the other Steppy's out there!
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