10 Things I Would Do Over as a Stepmom

6. Not choosing my words about my child’s other parent or my stepchild’s parent with great care

This is one of the most detrimental things we can do as a stepparent. When you speak negatively about their parent, you are, in effect, speaking negatively about the child, because half of your child is the other parent! As a stepparent we owe it to ourselves and the health of the new stepfamily to guard our tongues. No name calling, bad mouthing, or complaining in front of the kids. Look for the good and speak the good. Talking poorly about the other parent doesn’t hurt them as much as it hurts you in the end. The children will resent the things you said, and it will be hard to unwind. Trust me on this.