does calling a step parent mom/dad affect a child?

Answer 1

I honestly do not think it matters to the child, unless it is "forced" on them. My kids know exactly who their bio-dad is, they see him every weekend, but they also call my fiance "dad" too, especially my 8 year old. They also know that I am their bio-mom but they call their dad's GF "mom."

I do not think that kids understand the whole jealousy thing that some parents get into regarding dad/step-dad mom/step-mom... I think they love said person in that way so they call them the appropriate terms. I do not think it is disrespectful to me or my ex because there is just no such thing as loving too many. My kids love me, they love their dad, they also love my fiance and their dad's gf too, there is no more harm in that then in ANY parent/child emotional connection.

I would say that the only harm comes when/if the parents split up with their others after the kids have formed such a strong bond with them. Then the child(ren) often ends up totally loosing a (step) Mom/Dad because visitation is not extended to "step" parents after the break-up...

Answer 2

#1 thing is to ALWAYS respect the other parent, talk it over with the estranged parent and make sure they understand that you are only doing this to unite your family. Making a step Parent part of a child's life is very hard. If you let your child know that they chose to be a part of their lives then I don't think it will affect them in a bad way.

Answer 3

Well, I don't think that I could ever call a step parent mom or dad. It just wouldn't be the same. But I do call my dad's step dad Pappy, but that is because he has been my grandma's husband for as long as I've been alive. And I call my dad's step brother Uncle and I call his kids cousins. They have been here my whole life.

Answer 4

My son called his real father, dad, and his step father pops. That way there was no confusion, or disrespect either.

Answer 5

Sometims yes.

Answer 6

i would think it makes them feel securer