binding steps

I may be a step-mother, but I promise I’m not an evil witch.

By: Andrea WhatcottFor centuries, stories and tales have taught and warned us of the evils of step-mothers.

They are usually some kind of witch or sorceress, and have long ago delved deep into the dark arts.

If they hold any physical beauty it is only because they’ve sucked out the souls of other youthful beauties, to make themselves appear young. But their real face, hidden by magic, is old and wrinkled. Their crooked nose looks like the talon of a hawk, just as their long bony fingers do.

Okay, hold on…(insert scratching record sound)

I know these stories come from a different time, but is it still true today?

Are step-mothers just evil witches who have put a spell on an unsuspecting single father?

Or are/were these tales manifestations of a child’s broken heart over the loss of their mother?

As a step-mom, and a friend of many others, the image of evil step-mother is hard to digest.

But, as a step-daughter I can understand how hard it is to have another woman in the role, in the place were mommy once stood.

So maybe what we need is some middle ground for step-mothers. Or perhaps like the justice system, maybe they can be considered good until proven evil?

Maybe with that in mind we can rewrite the naratives. Or at least when we tell the stories from today we will consider the other side of step-mothers.

What if, without any spells or black magic, the single dad falls in love of the step-mom. What if she too falls for him, as well as his wonderful, beautiful children. What if they build a combined family filled with love and support.

Maybe the stories can take a different turn.