bonus parent
Non-biological parental figure
A bonus parent is a stepparent, framed positively to emphasize the relationship as an addition rather than a replacement.
The term avoids the sometimes negative connotations of "step-" and suggests the child has gained something: My bonus dad taught me to fish.
Common in blended families who want language reflecting chosen bonds rather than legal or biological categories.
- stepparentSpouse's prior child's caregiver
- blendedMixed into uniformity
- familyRelated people together
- chosen familyIntentionally formed kinship network
- stepmomNon-biological maternal figure
blended household · stepdad · coparent · guardian · chosen · love · adoption · remarriage · second chance · household · family dynamics · nurture · unconditional love · support · nonbiological · caregiver · second · divorce
- familymother, father, siblings, son, brother
- stepfamiliesstepfamily, stepparent, stepmother, stepfather, stepmom
- extended familyaunt, uncle, grandparents, grandparent, great aunt
bonus parentbiological parent
One who conceived offspring
birth parent · natural parent · biological mother · birth mother · biological father
bonus, parent, bonuses, parents, parental, parentage, parenting, parenthood, parented