How to accept having a step mother or father that’s as young as you

For loyal children, it's difficult to stomach your Dad's new smoking hot trophy wife, or your Mom's new 20 1/2 year old pool boy husband. Here are just a few simple tips to help you accept this change, and avoid disgust.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Sense of indifference
• Impulse control
• therapist (possibly)

1. They will never replace your mother/father.
   
   It's very important that you ignore terms being taught to you like "this is your new mother" and such. Understanding this fact should help you to see that them being married to your mother/father has little to do with you and much to do with your parent's personal choice.
2. Don't blame them.
   
   It's also very important that you not blame your new stepmother/stepfather for the separation or division of your family. These people are seeking the same thing that you are seeking: happiness.
3. Don't stare too much.
   
   Try not to image what they do when your not around. If they are all over each other in front of you, leave the room if you get squeamish or angry. The same privileges that you would be entitled to have if you were married are also extended to your parent and their spouse by choice. Isn't that reasonable?
4. Make sure he/she knows their role.
   
   This is not and excuse for you to disrespect your step parent, but should be talked out in a civil manner. Inform them of how you all can co-exist peacefully by respecting one another's boundaries. You may want to ask he/she not to say anything disrespectful about your biological mother/father in front of you.
5. Make yourself scarce (optional).
   
   This is an optional step, but it may prove useful for loyal children who may become depressed due to this change in family structure. It is important to respect their privacy and ask the same in return.
6. Don't be judgmental.
   
   Adults make their own mistakes and live with them, so don't feel as if you have to police your parent's new marriage with critiques of their habits or their inabilities that are consistent with a typical young inexperienced stepmother or stepfather.
   
   For example, you may want to refrain from mentioning to your mother how her husband isn't able to shave yet, or how your father's wife still uses a training bra. Play nice.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel that this change in family structure may be too much for you to handle, please get help. See a therapist.