by Danny Ritzer

Created on: July 09, 2008

Step-parenting is one of the most difficult things I have had to, and still struggle through. I being a daddy of two at the age of 20 have its ups and downs. There are many things I find it hard to handle, or understand. I met my wife when my step-daughter was nine months old, so I have been in her live for almost a year. My wife and I dated and married when my step-daughter was 13 months old.

Chloee is my step-daughters name, and I could not love her more if she were my own. However, trying to discipline her, and not make my wife angry is a hard thin line to walk. Chloee calls me daddy I am so proud of her and so glad she loves me back. There are times I feel her mom let's her get away with things that are unacceptable. That is when I step in and try to discipline this little girl I think the world of and only want the best. How can I be expected to be daddy to her if my wife won't let me play the daddy role? I feel by giving her everything she wants is not the right way to teach her. This is when my wife and I have the most difficulties.

I understand that I am young and have less experience than she, however she is young also, and we are expecting another child in a few short months. I want Chloee to love and respect the little one on the way. My fear is that Chloee only pays attention to what her mom says, and Chloee hangs on to her mom at all times, the child we have together will not be accepted by my step-daughter.

I would never hurt my little girl, yet when I play with Chloee my wife gets upset because she believes I am going to hurt this little girl I love so much. I want to be able to take Chloee into a restaurant and know that she will not scream if she does not get her way, or hit another child if she is gets upset. I want to teach her right from wrong, nothing more. I know my wife and Chloee will always have a special bond, I just want to be able to teach her right from wrong and play with her without my wife getting upset.

I know Chloee is really young, and isn't completely aware of the real situation that is going on with her biological father. One day my wife and I were lying down in bed and Chloee was running around our bedroom, she got into an old box full of her biological fathers things, and started chanting "Daddy, Daddy", and it really hurt me. I know I am there when she needs me, and I provide for her as much as I can. It just upset me that at Chloees' age, she still remembers knows who her real dad is. I know it doesn't seem reasonable to get distressed about something like that, but he is always out partying and getting loaded. He never seems to make time for Chloee, and I'm here day and night. I love that little girl and can't see why anyone in the world wouldn't want to be a part of that perfect little angel.

Another thing that kills me is I know Chloee is going to grow up sooner than I know, and if she doesn't like the lifestyle my wife and I have provided, she might want to get to know her biological father. I know that is going to be one of the hardest things I will have to deal with, and I know there is a chance I might have to just suck it up and let her go, but by that time I will have seen her from her first step, to the next step of her life.

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