Children in Step: Classic Complaints
Copyright 2005 Jeannette Lofas, The Stepfamily Foundation, Inc.

These are common complaints heard by most Children in Step and all of these issues can be overcome.

"I want my old family back. I want things the way they were, I miss things the way they were - even though Mom and Dad fought."

"Nobody has enough time for me."

"I'm sad when Mom's sad, and I'm sad when Dad's sad, and they are both sad too much."

"I don't know what they want from me."

"I'm angry and don't know why."

"Dad is busy with his new family."

"It's boring over at Dad's house."

"It's wonderful at Dad's house. I wish I could live with Dad."

"I miss my father."

"Dad and I have a great time, except for her."

"He gives more to her kids and to her than us."

"He never thought about us when he moved."

"Dad left Mom, but he really left me."

"There must be something wrong with me."

"Mom is wonderful, but that friend of hers is awful. She's always paying attention to him and not us. She lets him tell us what to do."

"They go away together and leave us alone."

"She has always done things for me, and now he says she spoils me."

"She lets him say awful things about me."

"I don't want to say hello to him."

"I wish he weren't here."

"We've been doing just fine without him. Why do we need him now?"

"I don't know where I belong."

"They will never know how hard it is to visit Dad/Mom."

"They get upset when I tell them about the good time I had when I visit."

"Mom doesn't have enough money. I wish I could help her out."

"Dad doesn't know how hard it is at home without him."

"My Stepmother is NOT my mother (or my brother's mother, my sister's mother, the dog's mother, etc.) OR the boss in this house! (Everyone knows Daddy is except Daddy!)"

"It's not fair.....! She picks on all of us because she is not our mother!"

Copyright 2005 Jeannette Lofas, The Stepfamily Foundation, Inc.