Sometimes your kids do or say something that makes you sit back and reflect. This weekend was one of those. My DS18 came home from a few days away and came out to the back yard where DH and I and a few other of our couple friends were having drinks and a fire. He came directly in, gave me a hug and sat down to tell us quickly about his weekend.

We have been joking recently with him and an old friend of DH's calling DH's friend DS's dad and joking that DH is 3rd in line as DS's dad. All certain joking. So DS asked DH if he could borrow something to take to hang with his friends. DH joked back that he should as his 'other' dad as he is only 3rd in line. DS gets all serious and tells DH that he knows that he's not his real dad but as dad's go he's as much like it as he can be and DS considers him as such.

Some may say that he was being manipulative to get what he wanted but in all honestly he is very sensitive and I think he needed to get that out there because he was afraid that DH was 'joking' to cover a real insecurity.

First DS makes me so proud of the person he is growing into. Second I am glad that I choose to maintain a blended approach with DH and my kids even when DH does nothing to support a relationship with SD and the rest of us. My kids and DH are reaping the benefits of additional supportive parents in their lives.