Step-parents

According to many children; one of the worst times that they encountered throughout the entire divorce process, was when they had to deal with a step-parent. You, the parent, might have known that the marriage was not going well for years. In fact, the "d" word might have been thrown around so much, that when it finally arrived, you welcomed it with open arms and you were already prepared to move on. For your children, however, even though things might have been rocky for years, they had grown accustomed to both parents still being there, and they expected that they would continue to stay together, even though they would fight from time to time. For them, when the divorce finally comes, it often hits them with volcanic strength, and they need time to process it and to heal. They did not bargain for that. Hence, parents should remember that even though they might be ready for a new relationship, and they probably even started one even before the divorce was final, children will need time before they are ready to be introduced to someone new, someone, who they will probably view as the substitute for their other parent. If you want them to heal well and to be supportive, you should wait...wait as long as possible and help your kids heal before you bring someone new to their lives. You owe it to them.