One in five Aussies will become part of a stepfamily.
But blending two families together isn’t always easy, especially when there are personality clashes involved or if they’re recovering from a messy break-up.
But step-parents usually work so hard to make life for their new kids as enjoyable and loving as possible.
They’re Australia’s unsung heroes, which is why we’re looking for the Step-parent of the Year.
Do you know someone who has battled against the odds, or worked tirelessly, to make it work?
If so, they could win our $1000 top prize and, of course, take out the title of Take 5’s Step-parent of the Year!
To help get you inspired, we spoke to two proud stepmums, who share their stories of love and determination.
We CAN make it work!
Nikki Iervasi, 30, from Sydney, NSW shares her true life story:
I woke to the sound of cries coming from the spare room.
“Not again,” I sighed, rolling out of bed to see what was bothering Cruz.
When my boyfriend Jordan first told me he had a two year-old son, I wasn’t that bothered.
The photos of him were so sweet, and he seemed pretty well-behaved.
But when they moved in with me after a few months, I quickly realised there was muchmore to parenting than just giving kids a cuddle.
At 27 years old, I’d never even changed a nappy.
Suddenly I was doing all the motherly duties!.
Me with Jordan, Cruiz and baby Luna.
Jordan and I had Cruz five days a week, and he went with his mum the other two days.
While friends my age were still enjoying their final years of freedom before settling down, I’dplunged head-first into family life.
Having kids hadn’t really on my radar before then, and a lot of pressure came with looking after a child that wasn’t biologically my own.
I constantly doubted myself, unsure I was cut out for it.
I loved Jordan and Cruz, but I was stressed.
“I’m tired,” I told Jordan when he came home from his job as a builder.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him how I really felt.
Instead, we just argued over tiny things.
I knew something had to change if our relationship was to survive.
After seeing a counsellor, I learnt to open up about everything I’d been feeling.
“Babe, you should have told me,” Jordan said.
I also developed my relationship with Cruz’s mum, Jemma.
e both wanted the best for him and that would only happen if we all supported each other and got along.
I couldn’t believe it when the two of us started texting each other every day just to talk!
She soon became a close friend.
Two years later, I fell pregnant.
“I want a brother!” Cruz, now five, cried excitedly.
Cruiz’s biological mum, Jemma (left, with son Malik), and I have become close.
He came with me to the ultrasound and helped Jordan and I put the cot together.
Although he had his heart set on a brother, he was stoked when I gave birth to a girl, Luna, seven months ago.
All those years of looking after him had been perfect training for when my daughter came along!
I’d be lying if I said stepparenting wasn’t a roller-coaster, but there have been so many rewarding moments.
Each Mother’s Day, Cruz makes cards at school for both Jemma and me.
“I’ve got two mums,” he proudly tells his mates.
When he came into my life three years ago, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it through, but I love my stepson with all my heart and can’t imagine living without him.
I’m not ready for this!
When it came to relationships, I always had one golden rule: never date anyone with a kid.
I wasn’t the clucky sort and didn’t have a single desire to be a parent.
At 24 , I thought I’d found the perfect guy when I met Merv, 27.
We shared the same taste in films and both loved martial arts.
But one day, after a few weeks of dating, he pulled me aside.
“There’s something you should know,” he began. “I’ve got a son.”
My stomach sunk as I learnt about his two-year-old boy, Ty.
I didn’t know what to say.
I’d previously made it clear to Merv that I didn’t see myself ever becoming a mum.
I couldn’t let myself fall for someone with a child… or could I?
“I want you to meet Ty,” Merv pleaded.
Eventually, I went to Merv’s parents house to meet the little bloke I’d heard so much about.
Walking through the door, I looked down at the brown-haired boy playing happily in the lounge room.
I’d expected to see some raging rug-rat throwing a tantrum!
“Hi Ty,” I smiled.
To my relief, he was a gentle boy with a big heart
Me and Ty when he was younger.
We watched his favourite movie, Toy Story, so many times I lost count.
“I want to watch it again,” he said. “With you.”
My heart melted.
After that, he grew so attached to me that he moved his single bed into our room just so he could always be near us.
Of course it took some adjusting for me to realise that all our plans had to revolve around Ty’s weekend soccer games, but he was such a sweet boy that I came to love him.
Ten years later, Merve and I married and Ty was our groomsman.
“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life,” I said to him in my wedding vows.
My step-son, now 17, never stops making me smile.
Merv and I have decided we’d like to have a child of our own soon.
When it happens, I know our kid will grow up having the best stepbrother in the world.
Ty (centre) played a part in my and Merv’s wedding day.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
