Is A Stepchild The Same As Your Own?

[icyfroth]

Radio shock jock Derryn Hinch and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson have engaged in a heated war-of-words on morning television about raising children.

The fiery exchange happened on Sunrise today during a discussion about the nature of quality parenting, and began when Hanson declared Hinch would not know what it was like to raise children because he has one stepchild and no children of his own.

"Hang on, a stepchild? Hang on, Pauline Hanson, a stepchild is still a child," Hinch said.

http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/hanson-and-hinch-in-fiery-exchange-on-morning-tv/ar-AAaeTKX?...

Never had stepkids, but have had step-grandkids. Loved em too, but was always a bit more careful with the steps than the own.

They all survived to adulthood lol

[azureline**]

I think it probably depends on the relationship and family dynamics.

[cherry*135]

Pauline wouldn't win Mother of the Year.

1996

Hanson's eldest son, from her first marriage, with whom she hasn't spoken in nearly six years, lives literally in fear of his life. He works in a dangerous industry alongside Aborigines and people from mixed ethnic backgrounds. He waits for someone to learn who his mother is.

Her second son refuses to speak to his mother.

There's also her eldest son's grandmother, Hanson's former mother-in-law, who almost single-handedly raised this son. She is an elderly woman who survived Dachau concentration camp and arrived in Australia with her three-year-old child (Hanson's first husband) after the war. She is petrified that Hanson wants to have her deported

Republished Dec 2014

http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/gw-classics/pauline-hansons-bitter-harvest-20140916-109dbf.html

[lionrose.7]

I bought up two stepchildren from the age of 10 and 8, they are my children.

I love them as my own.

Their mother was never there for them I was.

[purple_haize]

I have 3 step children, 2 girls aged 28 & 26yrs and a step son aged 21yrs.

I love them all like my own kids. My stepson lives with hubby and me, my 2 step daughters had their first babies last yr, 2 months apart, so I am also step grandma to two beautiful little boys.

I also have 2 biological grandchildren and my daughter gets on really well with her step siblings.........

It takes work to make it all work out, work on my part and on the kids, I have always involved my s/kids in what we do. Hubby and I will have been married 10 yrs this thursday, so when I came into their lives, they were alot younger and alot harder to deal with.

If given time it all works out for the best, well it has for me.

[poddster]

people should not take on the responsibility of stepchildren unless they are treated equal and loved equally with their own if they have any

.

[icyfroth]

sometimes one has responsibily thrust upon one, Podds lol.

[flashie*]

When I married for the second time I already had three children.........and then we had a son together.

None of our children have ever referred to my husband as their step father...........and neither has he ever referred to them as his step children...................I personally really dislike that term.

I know he loves them all equally........and with all his heart...........and they him.

So in answer to your question Icy........................yes it can be..............with the right people.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Our youngest child was a little boy whom we fostered, then adopted. He had a congenital heart defect and died shortly before what should have been his third birthday. The most terrible thing said  to me afterwards was the words of a well meaning, would-be comforter. "Still, it's not quite like losing one of your own, is it?'

[cherry*135]

I have had Aunty's and a  cousin's wife who don't count their step grandchildren as their own. Cousin's wife will show photo's of her granchildren excluding the one step child ( 1 child mother had, 1 child father had ( the step grand- child that isn't counted) before getting together  and 3 children to both parents, family of 5 kids that live together).

Also some Aunty's that do consider them as their own, the step grandchild(ren) have been part of the family from day one, and are entered into our family tree etc.

I can't really understand the 'those  two aren't my grandchildren thing', even though my rellies were/are all nice, kind people. The step grandkids are OK kids as well, not horror heads.