First Soccer Game with the Other Mother

Okay, so I have to write a follow up on a blog that I previously wrote. For those who follow, you know that I am the step-mother of my youngest daughter. I love my youngest daughter, but I have had a tough time dealing with conflicting emotions regarding her mother. Well, I wanted to follow up and let you know that I reached out and, so far, it has gone well. So far, my biggest fears have not been realized.

I found a way to reach out by sending her a picture of my step-daughter leaving for her first day of Kindergarten. (Maybe this tip could help someone else out there.) I felt that this was a good way to reach out and yet, not make myself vulnerable for yet another rejection in my life. This instigated a long email conversation that helps to settle my mind on the big changes coming up for my stepdaughter.

My stepdaughter will be starting overnight visitations with her mother a month from now. Luckily, her mother is being a reasonable person and seems to view the change similarly to me. She has inquired about all aspects of Andie's life at my house in order to help make the transition easier. She thinks that it would be easiest for my step-daughter if we all followed the same routine and has willingly adopted our routine instead of proposing a lot of changes. Of course, it is up to Mom on how she wants to parent her own child, but this mom seems to be overcoming any territorial instincts and is therefore being very reasonable.

Yesterday, we survived our first soccer practice together. I feel that because of me reaching out, we were even able to sit together at the game so that my step-daughter didn't have to feel torn about who she is supposed to come to on the sidelines. I don't know how I would have survived this if not for her mom and me having some form of reasonable contact previously.

In a nutshell, I am glad that I reached out. Hopefully, it will make all of our lives easier in the future.