stepparents
Married-in mothers, fathers
Stepparents are the spouses of one's biological parents who are not themselves biological parents—a stepmother or stepfather.
The relationship forms through marriage rather than birth or adoption: Her stepparents raised her after her mother remarried.
The step- prefix traces to Old English for orphan or bereaved, reflecting the historical context of remarriage after a spouse's death.
Wedding after divorce/widowhood
- householdDomestic unit of residents
- integrationCombining into a whole
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- cohabitationDwelling together unmarried
stepdaughter · stepson · halfsibling · custody · visitation · coparenting · reconstituted · transitions
Connection or fondness
- connectionA joining or relation
- trustConfidence in another
- relationshipConnection between entities
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
acceptance · affection · closeness · understanding · empathy · loyalty · support · patience
Alteration to improve fit
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- boundariesLines marking separation
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
rejection · conflict · acceptance · tension · estrangement · favoritism · discipline · communication
Protective caretaker of another
- caretakerOne who maintains property
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- advocatePublic cause supporter
provider · disciplinarian · nurturer · supporter · authority · responsibility · involvement · parenting
remarriage
Wedding after divorce/widowhood
- householdDomestic unit of residents
- integrationCombining into a whole
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
cohabitation · stepdaughter · stepson · halfsibling · custody · visitation · coparenting · reconstituted · transitions · boundaries
attachment
Connection or fondness
- connectionA joining or relation
- trustConfidence in another
- relationshipConnection between entities
rapport · acceptance · affection · closeness · understanding · empathy · loyalty · support · patience · commitment
adjustment
Alteration to improve fit
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- boundariesLines marking separation
jealousy · rejection · conflict · acceptance · tension · estrangement · favoritism · discipline · communication · expectations
guardian
Protective caretaker of another
- caretakerOne who maintains property
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
advocate · provider · disciplinarian · nurturer · supporter · authority · responsibility · involvement · parenting · caregiving
- extended householdgrandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins
- familymother, father, parents, siblings, son
- family membersmother, father, sister, brother, son
- family termsparents, nuclear family, mothers, extended family, fathers
- loved onesspouse, partner, mother, father, parents
- family dynamicsfamily dynamics, family roles, family therapy, sibling rivalry, parenting