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Speak Up! - View Question #152 |
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Question: What rights do stepparents have in the care of step-kids?
Answer: Stepparents have no specific rights over their stepchildren. The biological parent has decision-making authority over the children in all matters related to the child's health and upbringing. In other words, the stepparent can't consent to medical care, can't sign paperwork for school, etc.
A stepparent who has acted as parent for a child for a long time, and who is now being divorced from the biological parent, may have some visitation rights if a judge decides the relationship is in the child's best interests.
Even though the stepparent has no rights relative to the child, if the stepparent is a custodian of the child, that adult can make certain control / discipline decisions affecting the child in the absence of a biological parent. A stepmother, for example, who is taking care of the child during the father's absence on a business trip, can set curfew, mealtimes, and other rules that affect childhood discipline while the child is in the care of that adult.
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| Comments |
| 16 thru 20 of 91 comments |
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On 11/14/08
Steppo from IA said:
What is the consesus about children calling both biological mom and step mom.. mom...
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On 11/07/08
jemma from Othr said:
to m from tx i think your comment is unfair,as a stepchild and a step mum myself,i feel your comment is unjustified and wrong,i would lay my life down for my step son b4 any harm come to him!!i know his every smile,i know his every need and every mark i understand his wants,ive teaching him how to read will help him ride a bike along with lots more,was there on his first day at school.i been there when his happy and when his sad,i read to him at nite,bath him,cuddle him and tell him i love him every day and i mean it to.you tell me how any of thats different to what you do or how you feel!!
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On 11/03/08
worry from CA said:
I will be getting married soon to my finace, he has a son and I have been there since he was born 10 months. The biomom is 21 years old and I fear that she is not providing for her child, she doesn't work/go to school lives with her mom in a 2 bedroom apartment. I know I am not the parent but I care to much for this child any words of wisdom..I don't want to take her place or anything but same time want to give this child what he needs...
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On 10/31/08
Ann from NC said:
Ok, I don't love my "step" daughters as much as their biological mother?? WHen she abandoned them for a wealthy man, I bet the love was just seeping out of her, right? WHen she beat the life out of them, they must have been thinking that they couldn't wait to get back home to me, as you call it, their "really good friend". When she calls them names and tells them they are worthless, she's just beaming with love and pride towards them, correct? I DON"T THINK SO. I've raised them from birth, would give my life, and have nurtured their sweet souls. ME.Your insecurity speaks for itself!
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On 10/26/08
M from TX said:
As a stepchild and a mom (not an ex), I have to say that the stepmoms who think that you love/take better care of the child than the biomom are delusional. No one loves that child more than their bioparents, not even you. You want to improve your situation overnight? Stop trying to take the mother's place. I guarantee you the child does not feel as close to you as you think, no matter what s/he tells you to your face. Harsh? Yes, but it's the reality. You're more like a really good, older friend who loves the child very much. And that's great! But a co-mom? Forget it.
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