I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Do not bad-mouth the ex to the children. As tempted as you may be sometimes, it’s a definite no-no. No matter what the age of the child or his relationship to his mother, whether she’s remarried, deceased, or has abandoned him, you must not bad-mouth his mother.
Here’s what typically happens when stepmoms don’t follow this rule. A kid might feel protective of and loyal toward his mother and will hate you because she’s his mother. Or, your stepdaughter might feel that your judgment of her mother is a slam about her.
Since the child is an extension of her mother, you must hate her, too. If Mom is still around and involved in your stepchildren’s lives, it’s not your place to get in the middle, no matter how rocky their relationship. Don’t trash-talk her in front of the kids, even if you disapprove of her new husband or the lifestyle she chooses at her house. Just don’t do it. It will blow up in your face.
Related posts:
- Mum the Word Part (2) Fifteen-year-old Nicole and her stepmother, Kathleen, said they actually do...
- Finding Your Place Figuring out your relationship with the ex will happen over...
- Finding Your Place Part (4) Weddings are notorious for the emotions they bring up. Monica,...
- In the Spotlight As much as possible, stay out of the middle of...
- Coming to Terms with the Ex (3) For stepmothers across the country, dealing with the exwife is...