This is my wonderful family. All 5 of us.
My husband, Jason, brings two rambunctious boys and I bring one dramatic girl. Together we are one big loving, chaotic and caring blended family.
Kids are tough, as many of you know- parent, or not.
As a parent some days you just feel like pulling the covers over your head and never returning to the depths of the kitchen where your children are arguing over some fictitious story that they’ve made up in their heads.
Here is a little bit of background on my (almost) 8 years experience as a parent…
I gave birth to my daughter on July 20, 2009 @ 4:30pm. I was 18 years old and scared shitless. I remember the day I found out that I was pregnant… the feelings I felt were unexplainable. I didn’t want to be a parent at that age. I had seen all the Teen Mom shows on MTV, and what a mess those young girls were. I’ve seen teenagers birth children just to pawn them off on their own parents as they continue on living their careless lives. I didn’t want that. I couldn’t even take care of myself, let alone a newborn baby. But there I was. Pregnant, 18 years old, and alone.
I had the help of my family, of course. My mother and father were not so thrilled with the idea but they helped me every step of the way- physically, mentally, financially.. I couldn’t have asked for better support… that is, once they started talking to me again after the initial ‘pissed off period’. Thanks mom and dad.
Fast forward to 2013, when my husband and I started dating- again (..that’s another story all in its own), I became a stepmom to two boys and I love them as if they were my own. I like to think that we have a very tight knit family. We care for each other, we spend time together, we play games, we make crafts- we just basically make the most out of the time we spend together. Our children get along- for the most part- other than the arguing over the fictitiousness that I mentioned earlier…
Being a blended family isn’t easy- let me tell you. You have so many parties involved; different family dynamics from the other parents’ side. Working together essentially becomes the main goal- in every aspect. I can honestly say that it is the most rewarding ‘job’ in this world though. My husband and I are each other’s anchors and that is so, so important- especially in our situation. We support one another, and never argue over pettiness or over things that the other cannot control.
It may be a crazy, stressful life but it’s my sanctuary. There is nothing I love more than pulling into the driveway of my cozy home after a long day of paper shuffling and dealing with jerks and opening the door to my loving husband and the three minions that look up to me for guidance, comfort, and protection.
My 18 year old self would cringe at the idea. My 26 year old self, however, is beyond content.
Live fully. Live healthy.
-Arlyssa
They call me Mom.. 