young stepmother

[SaraBeth]

There's a teacher I work with (25 yrs) who is a young stepmother. She's very nice and I like working with her, and I know other people's family situations are different than others but I just don't know how she gets her blended family to work. First off I should say I really like this teacher and she seems like a good mom and stepmom.
This teacher is 25. Her husband is 44!! I'm 28 and I know I could never have married someone with that huge of an age difference. My husband is 30. Anyway, back to this teacher I work with. She has a 5 year old daughter from her previous marriage to her ex-husband. Her current husband has an 18 year old daughter and a 16 year old son. I just don't see how stepkids would take a stepmom seriously with just a few years between them. She seems to care for them, but I don't see how she could ever be considered "Mom" or even like a mother when she is only a few years older than her stepchildren.

 

[Alicia]

"step-friend"

My stepmom isn't much older than me (definitely not old enough to be my mom). I've always respected her, and we get along well. She may not be a mother to me, but she is still a friend.

My friends and I have joked about this because, one of my friend's stepmom is only about 6 years older than us. She is refered to as the "step-friend". She is more like a friend to my friend because they are so close in age. She never tries to act like a mother. Also my friend was in her 20's when her dad married her "step-friend"

 

[Jennmcg]

My situation

I'm 33 and am a step-mother to a 22 year old. We get along fine but I don't play much of a "motherly" role to him. His father has always handled discipline issues, and I have been more of a confidante when he's having troubles at school or with girlfriends. We also have three other children. It's been interesting but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!