Edwin R.

The Evolution from Step-Dad to Dad

Being a step-dad to my oldest, Ethan, 11, has been both rewarding and challenging. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see it evolve from step-dad to dad. I have been blessed with the size of this kid's heart, too. His father is not in the picture at all, and there are moments I struggle to decide what the best course of action is. On the other hand, I don't want to be too stern, because I fear that it will drive a wedge between us. Other moments I fear I would do him an injustice if I don't properly prepare him for what's to come. I walk a pretty fine line with him as if I’m performing a balancing act. My wife, Nia, course corrects when I may have oversteered. Ethan is a good kid. I know that seems like a cliche, but I couldn’t be more proud to have him call me “Dad.” Calling me ‘dad’ was a choice he made one day when he was much younger, and I didn’t really start to understand the weight of it until a few years ago. As much as I have to teach him about life, he gives me surprise lessons in return along the way.

— Edwin R.

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