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Caregiving means to do things to help another person.

Caregiving activities that enhance bonding with stepchildren usually involve personal contact.

Stepchildren do not always notice stepparents' caregiving, but when they do, they are grateful and feel safer.

Effective stepparents tell stepchildren they are caregiving to help, not to replace absent parents.

There are many things stepparents can do to get stepchildren to like them and to bond with them. Researchers have found that playing works to enhance relationships (see “Having Fun With Stepchildren”) and working on projects with stepchildren can promote bonding (see “Getting Closer to Stepchildren Through Working Together”), as can being an ally to stepchildren (see “Becoming an Ally to Stepchildren”). A less clear-cut but effective approach to building closer ties with stepchildren is through everyday caregiving.

In this context, caregiving means doing things to help another person. A stepparent’s caregiving generally involves supporting a stepchild’s physical and emotional well-being. For young stepchildren, caregiving may mean feeding them, keeping them clean, tucking them into bed, comforting them when they are hurt or scared, and making sure they are safe. For adolescent stepchildren, caregiving also may involve physical care (e.g., feeding them), comforting and encouraging them when they are stressed, and keeping them safe.

Caregiving as Bonding?

Caregiving activities that enhance bonding usually involve personal contact with stepchildren. Activities like doing laundry, washing dishes, doing yardwork, and other household tasks may........

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