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Do stepparents get enough credit? Depends on when that stepparent walks into that child's life. How messy was the divorce? How is the relationship between the mom and dad? Who cares if the stepparent gets enough credit. I'm a step mom. My stepdaughter was two when I married her father. It took me a long time to realize that I'm just a stepparent. Mom and dad are both in the picture and the stepfather and I are on the sidelines giving advice through a megaphone. Even if both parents aren't in the picture when has credit come into play? A family that hasn't been through divorce has the same issues. When do I get credit? You as the mom or dad will get credit when the child is old enough to realize that the world does not revolve around them. I can remember being sixteen and thinking that if I couldn't talk on the phone with my friends I was absolutely going to die! Right at that very exact moment my mom was struggling with my algebra homework. As I grew older and had children of my own did I realize what fantastic parents I had. I will always be grateful for them sticking out those tough times. But to ask a teenager or a child to appreciate you can be asking a lot. They love you and without you they would be heartbroken. But expressing themselves at that age is like asking McDonald's for a steak medium rare. My tip is to always be there, be open to talks that will scare you, and give them your advice. They will always remember you for that. Don't forget these are kids we're talking about. If your talking about your spouse - well that's a whole other story.

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