Step moms

I was talking with Dastard yesterday about the youngest stepson and his lack of friends in our area.  His older brother is more fortunate in having a some kids he knew before he moved away.  The youngest wasn't old enough to maintain any friendships from back then.  On short visits this is not a big issue since the boys spend a lot of time with us.  But on the longer visits the oldest likes to have his buddies over for some Halo 2 goodness and therein lies the situation.  Older brother with friends with a younger brother who wants to play too.  Inevitably tempers flare and feelings are hurt.  So, this time the youngest is enrolled in a basketball camp for the week.  We are hoping that he can connect with at least one of the kids so he has someone to video with or play BB or just ride bikes.

So, where do I come in as a step mom with all of this?  Good question, since I really can't.  But, I really felt the anguish of hoping the boy is able to make a friend and I stress that he may try too hard, etc.  The feelings really caught me off guard.  It isn't that I don't want to be involved with these boys or that they don't want me involved since they don't really come to me for issues, which is not uncommon.  They have their father and that is how it should be.  When Dastard and I got married we stressed to the boys that I was not their mother and had no intention of becoming their mother, they already have a mother.  I guess I thought I needed to maintain some sort of separation to avoid getting too emotionally involved so as not to put myself in the position of "mother."  I found out yesterday that the feelings are unavoidable.  They are good kids. 

Anyway, he had a good day at camp yesterday and is looking forward to going back today.  I'm kind of liking this step mom feeling of pride as I watch him make some baskets or block a shot or rebound.  He even asks me if he can play my Shadow Run;) 

Here's the Would you rather for the day.  I got this from a "Friends" episode I happened to catch last night.

Would you rather
Live in the pocket of a sweaty giant
Or
in his shower drain?

Keep on Go!