Anyone who plays a major role in a child’s life deserves appreciation. In this regard, bonus mom is a suitable term for them. These moms can be stepmoms, grandparents, teachers, mentors, friends, close family friends, foster parents, neighbors offering care and support, or aunts. The role the bonus mum plays in the child’s life, and the additional responsibilities the person has toward the child counts.
Bonus Mom vs. Step Mom: The Difference
Not all families these days stay in a traditional family structure of a biological mom and dad as the sole caregivers. More same-sex and nonbinary couples are starting families as well. One of the caregivers often part of a blended family is a “bonus mom.” Now, if you’re wondering whether a bonus mom is the same as a stepmom, you’ll have to understand the role they play.
Bonus mothers describe maternal figures who play nurturing roles in kids’ lives and take on the role of a mother to a child. The term goes fine for any female adult who takes part in parenting, caring for, and loving a kid.
Now, regarding the difference, let’s make it clear that the Stepmoms can be bonus moms, but a female doesn’t have to be a stepmom to be a bonus mom.
Stepmoms are individuals married to one of the child’s parents or legal guardians, often playing the role of bonus moms. But it is worth noting here that often stepmothers feel uncertain about their role while the kids face trouble with accepting a new maternal figure. A bonus mother, on the other hand, is anyone who loves or counsels a child. She is more flexible, depending on the partnership. Bonus mums may participate in simple household chores or decision-making, depending on the family’s understanding.
Read: Mom Leaves Toddler Home Alone For 10 Days to Go On Vacation, Pleads Guilty To Murder
Responsibilities of a Bonus Mom
The responsibilities of bonus mom aren’t that fixed, depending on the family dynamic. The caregiving figure might consider offering advice and comfort, dropping kids off at school, cooking meals, or hosting playdates.
They play a major role in the development of children based on understanding. They deserve much appreciation for playing supportive roles in nurturing a child’s emotional life while maintaining a loving and supportive haven.
How Bonus Moms Benefit Kids and Families?
Many bonus moms are extremely rewarding for the child as well as the family. A bonus mom fosters a supportive bond, leading to a lighter, calmer relationship.
Bonus mums and children with deep connections foster the child’s growth and development and help the child with socialization and self-actualization.
Bonus moms are easily added to relationships, families, and communities when sharing responsibilities and resources.
Read: What Is Solo Parenting?
Drawbacks
Bonus mums, like every other member of the family, face some challenges. They are sometimes made to feel like an outsider who doesn’t deserve much value as other members of a family system. Anxiety and the feeling of being forgotten are quite common in such a case.
There are always boundaries that distinguish the relationship from that of a biological mom, and this is the reason bonus mother doesn’t always get the opportunity to claim her place in the family. It’s common to feel insecure.
Pushback from the children is also common when they struggle to accept the bonus mom in their life.
Bonus Parents Filling in the Gaps
Bonus parents, in addition to healthy parental relationships, help fill in the gaps, especially in case a relationship is struggling. Also, they prove very supportive in the case of death, divorce, or single-parent homes. Healthy bonus mom recognizes all the loopholes, seeks to understand and empathize with the feelings of the child, and takes on the role of bridging the gap while encouraging the parental relationship. They serve as an encourager, a prayer warrior, an instructor, or a truth speaker.
What defines a bonus parent?
A bonus parent is someone is the term for that individual that steps into a child’s life not by birth but by choice. Regardless of their relationship status, dating or married to one of the child’s biological parents, their role includes loving and caring for the child as if they were their own.
Who can be a bonus mom?
Bonus Parents can be old or young, single or married. A Bonus Mom can be there for the child as a form of adoption or parenting a child with their significant other. Bonus mums can be anyone in a child’s life playing a nurturing, supportive role. Also, the list includes stepmoms, grandparents, teachers, mentors, family friends, or aunts.
Final Say
Bonus moms do have to encounter some challenging situations, but in most cases, they do play a major role in nurturing relationships between the family members. Even a family can consider dictating what role the bonus mom is supposed to play in the child’s life and the additional responsibilities the person may have. Being clear about a bonus mother’s role and communicating openly if any challenges arise helps foster relationships to a huge extent.
