Dad, Mom, StepDad, StepMom = We’re all Parenting together.

Parent teacher conference time has come and gone again!  Usually this involves walking into a room with three chairs at a kids size table: two for the parents and one for the teacher. A teacher, a well educated stranger you’ve entrusted to teach and inspire your child for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months of the year.

Our parent teacher conferences look a little different…We have a table set for 5. That’s because there are four parents who attend our conferences. Mom, Dad, Step Dad and Step Mom. Why? Because we all PARENT. We all drive to sports events, pick up, drop off, birthday parties, dry tears, clean out puke buckets, read books, play catch, and make lunches.

It’s no secret to those around us that our family dynamic is much different than many families who co-parent. We randomly get together for family dinners, game nights, Sunday football games and meals, each other’s family parties, and drinks. We laugh together, share struggles together and confide in each other. This is no accident. It didn’t happen easily. But it’s worth every second of effort.

We have all had our share of miscommunications, jealousy, harsh words, overreactions, and space needed to cool down. It takes time. Energy. Sacrifice. Insight. Empathy.

But it’s also become easier. More fun. More relaxing. And more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. We cheer together, laugh together and brainstorm together.

My (step)son’s mother has made me a better person and I’ll be forever grateful for our relationship and experiences together. I look forward to parenting with her, her husband and my hubby. To many more years of games, Birthday parties, dinners, laughter and drinks.

Life isn’t always the picture we imagined as kids, but this has shown me it can be more colorful than we could have dreamed.

Love each other through the hard times and good. And enjoy a good cup of coffee…even if it’s cold. ☕️