Father's Day is right around the corner. It's a great day to remember your father and all he has done for you. Sometimes though, whether through divorce, death, incarceration or negligence, some kids are raised by their step-dads. In most cases, step-dads do an amazing job, stepping up to the plate to help raise kids. In these cases, I really don't even see the need to call them step-dads. They are a dad just like any other.
There is a negative stereotype to the concept of a step-dad, just like anything else. There are horrible men that come into a home and mis-treat the children. As a single mother, one needs to be very careful as to who you bring around your children. I haven't met any of these men. I have been very, very lucky!
In our home, JC helps me raise Adrian. JC is with Adrian ALL THE TIME. They hang out and watch TV together. They play basketball together, JC is his coach. They play video games together. JC is Adrian's "Papa" and I wouldn't have it any other way. JC loves Adrian and Adrian loves him. They have a typical father-son relationship and most people don't even realize that JC is his step-dad.
Now it isn't all clear skies and rainbows. There are days where they spend the whole day arguing and not talking to each other. They get on each other's nerves. Adrian gets jealous of the time I spend with JC. There are days that JC is jealous of Adrian. This happens in all relationships. Most days are great though. JC is a great support system for Adrian. He is a wonderful father to Adrian!