This is one of the most interesting stories I have received for this series. It is a great story about how life sometimes just leads us down a path, despite our best laid plans!
I had my first child Kayla at the age of 16 obviestly unplanned.. I was then also married to my first husband. We had another child planned she is now 9 years old. She was born with heart defect and operated at the age of 6 months.. then when she was 4 years old she was diagnosed with dandy walker syndrome. She is in a special school and stays with her dad during the week and weekends form Friday to Monday she stays with me.. her name is Anereez. Kayla which is now 17 is in grade 11 is my first child. Then I was divorced after 8 years of marrage. I married again..haha.. with a man that had twins .. Zandre and Stiaan. They are now 7 years old. They are also with us every weekend from Friday to Monday .. Then my husband also had another son now 14 years old from another relationship ( he only visits about once in two months) and then we have a boy Hendre: he is now 4.
Now the thing is the more the merrier.. is sort of true. But yes on weekends you get tired.. but the key is to keep them busy and occupied…and to keep calm… Every night after bath time there is are least 2 washing machine loads of clothes to be washed.. Everything is made in bulk.. Bought in bulk.
Cheaper by the dozen.. not true.. it is a very expensive story.. my husband always jokes, says he’s making up his pension money one day: each of them must donate R1000 per month then we have our pension.
Kayla, who is now 17 is like the biggest help ever.. I would not be able to do it without her..
I must say if I have something to say about divorce and marriage and all I will firstly say think it through if you have children in a marriage before you just divorce… I would love to speak to people about this.. it is not so easy and afterwards your children do go through tough times because of our decisions.. Then the whole stigma around being a stepmom.. it’s not always true.. it’s easy to love your own children but its perfection to love someone else’s children.. and people forget to be thankful to stephmoms.. which isn’t fair.
When I met Hendre(my husband) the twins were about 18 months old.. So I really potty trained them when I was pregnant with my smallest son.
They are my own children In my eyes..I don’t see myself as a stephmom but just other mom.
We are a lot and a unique family.. with differences but we love each other in another way.
If you would like to share your family story then please mail me: laura@samomblogs.co.za
Loved reading this what great family you have