http://herdingsquirrels.com/2009/10/14/qa-18-years-old-and-new-to-this/ seven kids. two pets. two sleep deprived adults. one blended family. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://herdingsquirrels.com/2009/10/14/qa-18-years-old-and-new-to-this/comment-page-1/#comment-1270 Amanda Shankle-Knowlton Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:11:12 +0000 http://herdingsquirrels.com/?p=743#comment-1270 Very well said! Especially about the part of it being a "forever decision". The cute little kids who steal your heart will grow up. The issues we have faced with our stepsons have changed over the years. Are you prepared to be present for issues like where the kids will go to college, health issues, sex, drugs, driving, and money? Present, but vested with no "real" authority other than in an advisory, behind-the-scenes kind of way. Not to sound preachy, but I would wait MANY years until you are sure this is what you want to do. Because it's not just you, not just your husband, but children you will impact with your decision. If you end up deciding you don't want these people in your life forever, it can really screw with the stepkids' outlook on relationships, love, trust, and life. Very well said! Especially about the part of it being a “forever decision”. The cute little kids who steal your heart will grow up. The issues we have faced with our stepsons have changed over the years. Are you prepared to be present for issues like where the kids will go to college, health issues, sex, drugs, driving, and money? Present, but vested with no “real” authority other than in an advisory, behind-the-scenes kind of way. Not to sound preachy, but I would wait MANY years until you are sure this is what you want to do. Because it’s not just you, not just your husband, but children you will impact with your decision. If you end up deciding you don’t want these people in your life forever, it can really screw with the stepkids’ outlook on relationships, love, trust, and life.

]]> http://herdingsquirrels.com/2009/10/14/qa-18-years-old-and-new-to-this/comment-page-1/#comment-1251 R.A. Fiallos Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:43:14 +0000 http://herdingsquirrels.com/?p=743#comment-1251 WOW. Solid. Great writing, and very thoughtful. My parents divorced when I was very young and my father remarried a couple of years later. As well meaning as everyone tries to be, there is always drama, misunderstandings, threats (real or imaginary), etc... Awesome blog, and I could not agree more: for the love of Pete, be young for a while! I hope she listens to that little inner voice. WOW. Solid. Great writing, and very thoughtful. My parents divorced when I was very young and my father remarried a couple of years later. As well meaning as everyone tries to be, there is always drama, misunderstandings, threats (real or imaginary), etc… Awesome blog, and I could not agree more: for the love of Pete, be young for a while! I hope she listens to that little inner voice.

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