The Role of Step-Grandparents

There is no shortage of information about stepparents in newly created blended families, but there is more to a stepfamily than a new stepmother or stepfather. There are also new step-grandparents. Where do they fit in? This article will look at some of the challenges facing new step-grandparents.

Title

Men and women who marry into an existing family unit comprising of natural parent and children will have to soon work out what their title will be. Will infants be allowed to call their stepparent "Mummy" or "Daddy"? Older children often prefer to call a stepparent by their name. But how will they address their stepmother or stepfather's parents? A much older couple may find a first name basis too informal or disrespectful. But then, "Mr and Mrs Smith" is too formal in other settings. Then there are the natural grandparents to consider. If the children are accustomed to calling them "Nana" and "Grandpa" or any other variation of their titles, children may hesitate to call a couple they have only known for a short time by such familiar titles.

The loyalty issue does not just exist between the children and their natural parents. It also extends to include other family members, such as the grandparents. Many stepchildren do not want to include an extra couple into their family and will not view them as their grandparents at all. Over time, this issue can be overcome if both sides are willing to accept each other. But it will take work.

Family Involvement