What Makes a Real Parent?

By Janis Prince Inniss

The stepmothers in popular children’s stories Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and Snow White were wicked enough to make “evil“ and “stepmother” seem naturally linked. When I married a man who had custody of his two children, I became a stepmother but did not morph into pure evil. But did I become a parent? 

What makes a real parent? The answer may seem clear to you if you were raised by your (biological) parents. However, the U.S. Census Bureau’s records (4.4 million stepchildren in the U.S. in 2000) would suggest that it’s likely that many of you were at least partially raised by a stepparent. Who parented you? 

Over the years, people have asked me when I am going to have children, even when they are aware that I’m a stepparent. By this, they mean, give birth to children or as they sometimes ask, “When are you going to have your own children?” 

It’s a question that has led me to wonder how my life would differ if I parented children I birthed, rather than gained by marriage. Good parenting, from my experience, observation, and study, is in large measure service to one’s children—serving their needs, sometimes at the expense of your own. And since, alongside my husband, I have been doing this to the best of my abilities, what would be different when I gave birth to my “own children”?

Being a stepparent is a tough job, requiring heart, soul and mind, but we are not always recognized as parents. Parenting, particularly great parenting, is not universally recognized as the demanding job that it is, but at least biological parents are recognized as parents, often regardless of how they parent. This is not the case for stepparents, however. Although the word “stepparent” includes “parent”, it does not convey many of the essential qualities of parenthood. Upon learning that I have two stepchildren, people typically assume that they are occasional weekend visitors to our home. In fact, we all lived together, at least initially, and the children visited their biological mother’s home every other weekend, so they spent at least 85 percent of their time with my husband and me. 

In that time I reviewed homework, provided counsel on a variety of subjects, read bedtime stories, cooked tasty, nutritious, varied meals with youth appeal, corrected grammar, dreamt up projects to capture the interests of a teenage boy, taught both children how to use a number of computer programs, darned torn clothing, watched television programs I would ordinarily abhor, cheered participation in just about every sport, including football (although I neither understand or enjoy the sport), repeatedly watched the movie Annie, and sewed curtains that matched the whims of a little girl. You get the picture.

So-called “traditional families” are based on marriage and biology, and the law and public attitudes have reflected this belief. But when stepparents (and other non-biologically related people) parent, what legal and social rights and responsibilities should they have? If my husband and I were to divorce when the children are still minors, what legal claim should I have had to visit them or to gain custody of them? As far as I know, only 18 states recognize de facto parents (someone who acts as an actual parent) and my state of residence, Florida, is not one of them. Although not a stepparent case, one recent ruling from the Washington State Supreme Court addresses the title question:

In 1989, after dating for several months, Page Britain and

Sue Ellen ("Mian") Carvin began living together as intimates. Five years

later, they decided to add a child to their relationship and together

artificially inseminated Britain with semen donated by a male friend. On

May 10, 1995, Britain gave birth to a baby girl, L.B., and the partners

began actively coparenting her, both taking a committed, active, and loving

role in her nurturing and upbringing. Then, when L.B. was six years old,

Britain and Carvin ended their relationship and an acrimonious spate of

litigation over access to L.B. ensued.

Washington’s highest court ruled that Carvin, the non-biological parent was a “de facto parent”.

(T)he court held that a common law claim of de facto or psychological parentage exists in Washington separate and distinct from the parameters of the UPA (Uniform Parentage Act) and that such a claim is not an unconstitutional infringement on the parental rights of fit biological parents. Id. at 485. The Court of Appeals held that a de facto parent may prove the existence of a parent-child relationship by presenting evidence sufficient to prove: 

(1) the natural or legal parent consented to and fostered the parent-like relationship; (2) the petitioner and the child lived together in the same household; (3) the petitioner assumed obligations of parenthood without expectation of financial compensation; and (4) the petitioner has been in a parental role for a length of time sufficient to have established with the child a bonded, dependent relationship parental in nature.

Further, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up the case and block Carvin from seeking parental rights. Lawyers for the girl’s biological mother commented that this decision “pave(s) the way for children to have an unlimited and ever-changing number of parents.” Given that biological parents can have an unlimited and ever-changing number of partners and spouses some of whom parent, in that context, I guess the attorneys express a valid concern.

So what makes a real parent? For men, is donating sperm sufficient? In other words, is the biological contribution of sperm sufficient for a boy or man to be a parent, regardless of his role in the life of the resulting child? And does giving birth make a girl or woman a parent, regardless of whether she has parented the child? Not contributing DNA does not absolve stepparents—particularly those whose stepchildren live with them—of the demands that children make on resources such as love, attention, time, and money. I remember attending Parent Involvement Week and being introduced by the then nine-year old girl’s teacher to the class as her Mom. Then there is the night that I attended a special performance by the same tyke. Her father was in class, her brother had no interest in her choice of activity, and her mother was unavailable. I was the girl’s sole cheer-leader. At the end of the group’s spirited performance, the gymnastics coach approached me beaming. “You’re her Mom!” she gushed. 

Due to my involvement with her, both the teacher and the coach saw me as the girl’s parent. Over the years, most teachers have chosen to continue referring to me as Mom (no step) or a parent (no step) even after learning that I am a stepparent. Their intention seems to be to say, “I see your role in this child’s life and step-parenting is not what I see you do. Parenting is what I see you do.”

Comments

[Tiana Gorrell]

I think that being a "mom" or "dad" does not mean you have to be a biological parent. A mother or father is someone who takes care of a child, comforts, gives advice, loves unconditionally and the list goes on. A parent is one who grows a strong relationship with the child and most importantly always there for the child. Once you have that connection with each other it doesn’t matter whether you conceived the child or not; especially if the biological parents is not involved in the child’s life.

[baby carriers backpacks]

A very interesting artcle..
I completely agree with Tiana's comment.. Being a parent is to love unconditionally...

[khameed6272]

warm caring, loving, patient, tuff love and much more. It is the one who that is there for you. The one for your frist step frist word. frist school program the one there for the good and the bad when your a child or adult birth or step what is a stepparnet anyway a PARENT IS ANYONE WHO TAKES CARE OF A CHILD FORGET STEP

[j turley]

being a parent doesnt necesarily mean you had to give birth to the child. a parent is someone who love unconditionally, puts the childs needs before their own, does without when the child needs. just because you carried the child for 9 months and went through the delivery process does not make u a parent!!!

[Rodney Watts]

I think that being a parent takes alot of responsibilities and you have to have patience. I also think that you dont have to give birth to a child to be there parents.

[bmabry3509]

What I think makes a real parent is being there for the child and being a good role model and teach them to have good values and goals in life.

[Emiley Cox]

When i was growing up (which i still am) I always thought i wish my parents werent so strick. But now as i get older. I realize, that a stricker parent makes such a great parent. No, it wasnt always fun but it helped me out so much in the long run. It made me a stronger person, with high standard values.

[Ebony J]

I think a good parent is caring for the child and teaching responsibilities and what and what not to do. Helping there guide in life.

[Sarah Connell]

A parent is someone who cares about you and takes care of you. Taking time out of their day to see that you are ok and talking to you when you need someone to talk to. They care more about you.

[A. Santillan]

I think a real parent is the person that takes care of you. Feeds you and is there to help with your every need. The person that tells you when your right or wrong but no matter what loves you at the end of the day. I think some step parents can take on the role and be a good parent to the point were people think thats the parent who gave birth. Other step parents can be the ones that really dont care much about you and treat you nice because your their parters love and then talk about you when your not there.

[Matt Ritten]

A person who loves, takes care, and uses every ounce of them to focus on the child. Both birth parents and step parents both have a responsibility to take care of the kids no matter what the title saids. The difference between birth parents and step parents is that the step parents would have to learned how the child acts and their behavior.

[npullum]

anyone can have a child but it takes a dedicated man and woman to be parents

[Ethan]

A parent is someone who does things for a child, not because they have to but because they care enough to do what is right for their child

[sunnie norris]

I think that a real parent can be defined as someone who takes care of the child no matter what the cost. They love the child with strong conviction and would do anything for them. A real parent disiplines the child in order to make them a better person. They teach them life lessons that will make them who they are and help to know what they stand for. I beleive that a step parent can easily become a "real parent." Alothough it would have to take time because the birth parent knows that thier child is from their own flesh and blood. Step parents sometimes have to learn to love the child and learn from their husband or wife on how to love that child as thier own.

[Chase Cotton]

What makes a real parent is not only being involved with the production of a child, but also being unconditionally willingly to care for the child. A real parent parent should be willing to give up their own life for their child. A real parent should want nothing less than the best for their child and train he or she up in a respectful manner. A real parent should love his or her child the same if the child is healthy or if they child has some type of birth defect. The experiences of birth parents and step parents is different in that there is not that "connection" in some cases. But in some cases children feel more connected to the step parents.

[karie wooten]

OK THIS IS REALLY A TRICKY SUBJECT... I THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU GIVE BIRTH TO A BABY DOES NOT MAKE YOU A PARENT. A PARENT IS SOMEONE WHO GIVES UP THINGS FOR YOU, MAKES SURE YOU ARE FEED, DOES EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT. LOVE IS THE NUMBER ONE KEY NOT MONEY ALOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE AS LONG AS YOU GIVE MONEY YOU ARE A GOOD PARENT LET ME TELL YOU, YOU HAVE TO GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

[K. Stovall]

A real parent is someone who gives real attention to their child, loves them, and takes care of them. Some people who are birth parents are not good parents at all. On the other hand, some birth parents are much better to their kids than their stepparents. But a real parent can be anyone, sometimes even a grandparent. A real parent would do anything for their child and thinks more of their child's well-being than their own. The experiences are different for birth parents and stepparents, but they vary. Some stepparents have been with the child since birth or close to it, while other stepparents are only brought into the picture much later in life. I believe it all depends on the situation as to what kind of experiences they may have.

[Wes Johnson]

I think a real parent is someone who cares for their child and wants the best for it. In some situations, step parents can be more of a parent then a birth parents, sometimes better.

[joshua wade]

uncodional love !!!

[kstevens]

a parent is the person you learn from the are your role models. if they not birth parents, or step parents, foster parents whatever. it doesnt matter if that preson rasie you teaces you be their no matter what or not judge and try to guide you in the right direction that is a parnent. those good memories bad memories cries laughs fusses fights you will learn from it all and in the end if that parent or those parents are still there after all of that then you got a true parent,

[Tristen Loyd]

I think that a "real parent" is one who cares for you no matter what. Who listens to your problems and helps you solve them, who will stand up for you if you need them to. I don't see the need for calling someone a stepparent, especially considering the fact that some stepparents have raised their spouses children from a young age. If I married a man and he already children, I wouldn't see the need in introducing them as my "stepchildren." I would want to introduce them as my children(with the children willing to let me call them that, of course). If someone were to ask when was I going to have my own children, I would point to my stepchildren and say that I already have.

[dthomas6104]

love and understanding my mom was a singal parent and she did the best she could but i know thats its sometthing much work at everyday so i guess its something you must love and work at.

[Jaleesa Watkins]

A real parent makes someone who is going to care for the child, raise them up the right way, love them, nurture them, provide for them, etc. A birth parent can share the experience of the birth and tell how they fist felt when the child was first seen that a stepparent cannot. A birth parent already feels unconditionally about the child, but its something a stepparent has to get use to.

[Seth Cardwell]

A true parent is sacrificial. He or she places his needs secondary to the needs of the child. It shouldn't matter whether the child is biologically his or not. A child needs tremendous love in the form of giving and disciplining. We love them by correcting them in love. The key is to do it "in love" not in anger. A parent ahould never be too proud to admit when he is wrong. Asking for forgiveness from our children when we get angry speaks volumes. Plus, a hug goes a long, long way as well as giving words of praise.

[MYAH SIMMONS]

I THINK LOVING YOUR CHILD UNCONDITIONALLY MAKES YOU A GOOD PARENT. BEING THERE FOR EVERY TRIAL AND TRIBULATION, BEING AT EVERY SCHOOL FUNCTIONING, LETTING YOUR CHILD FAIL SOMETIMES SO THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE REAL WORLD. BUT MOST IMPORTANT IS TO BE THERE WHETHER YOUR CHILD MAKES THE WORST DECISION THAT CAN RUIN THEIR LIFE.