Podcast Episode 26. Being a step parent brings with it some unique challenges. In this episode, Rob Step Dad to two boys one, Thomas, who has autism and ADHD, talks about his experiences as a stepdad.

The first challenge for many is what to be called. Sometimes Mum or Dad isn’t the right option. Rob happened upon a fairly unique solution to this issue and you will hear from him why he is now known by family and friends as “Kiwi”. And it has nothing to do with New Zealand.

Rob shares his thoughts about coming to parenting at a later stage.  He suggests that it is a different experience at least for him.  Rob also discusses sibling relationships and the impact our own family history can have on the way we view sibling rivalry.  He talks about the fact that often when one child has additional needs things what should be seen as normal sibling interaction (arguments) are sometimes mistakenly attributed to additional needs.

Finally, Rob addresses what the future might hold for Thomas and the need to support his independence while still providing the safety net he might need.

Rob’s experiences are unique but in telling his story he provides give us with a first-hand insight into what it means to be a Step Dad.

Show Notes
[4.45]  – Rob’s journey and why he is now known as “Kiwi”
[6.15] – Why being a step parent is different especially if you don’t have any children of your own
[7.00] – How being an only child or having siblings impacts on your own parenting
[7.30] – How important patience and taking things slow is especially for simple tasks like getting a haircut
[8.30] – Encouraging cooking to develop independence skills
[9.00] – What the future might hold and the dilemma of where do our children live near or with us

Key Takeaway
Step-parenting is hard but can bring a fresh perspective
Siblings fight because they’re siblings not always because one child has additional needs