When step parents say

[Tatum2U]

Do you believe step parents when they say that they feel exactly the same about their step kids compared to their biological children?

[Rain2Rinse]

It is hard for me to believe. Maybe that is because I know that I would not feel that way. I wouldn't feel anything close to that. But, adoptive parents love those babies like they would a child they gave birth to... so maybe it is possible?

[Tatum2U]

bump

[i_lovedyoufirst]

I'm sorry. I'll be honest, a parent can say they love their child as if they were their own but we all know if it comes down to it,we would pick our actual child before the step child.

[graciesmom6206]

I have to agree with this. I personally won't date a guy with a kid because I know in my heart I will never love that child as much as my own and I will always take my daughters side and choose her.

Quoting i_lovedyoufirst:

I'm sorry. I'll be honest, a parent can say they love their child as if they were their own but we all know if it comes down to it,we would pick our actual child before the step child.

[lifehappy]

Not from my own experience!

[Lillymygirl]

I have been a step mom and although i loved my step children very much and still am very close to them , it's not the same .

Maybe if I had raised them from infants and the biological mother was completely out of the picture , I don't know. 

[kansasmom1978]

I am a stepmom.  I love my stepson, but the love is different from my ds and dd. I don't know why. It just is.

[Erna2]

 I believe my dh does. He has raised my oldest 3 since they were 12 yrs, 8 years and 3 years. (They are now 23, 19 and 15 years) We had our own two dds 8 and 6 yrs ago. Whenever he talks about the kids to anyone, and they ask, he ALWAYS says that he has 4 daughters and a son. He has never told anyone that he is a step father. Only that he is a father of 5 kids.

[incogneat-o]

I believe it is possible to love them the same, but I believe the bonds with your step kids and that with your own are very different.

[melissa632]

Mostly, no. I think they WANT to, but it really isn't the same. I'm a step parent.