Hardest Job

I've always heard that the hardest job in the world is being a parent. While that job is difficult because one never knows if they are doing the right things for their kids. I believe the person that said that is only part correct on that statement.

I believe the hardest job in the world is being a "step" parent or parental figure. You get all the difficulties of being a parent and then throw in the fact that the kid isn't biologically yours. You love the kids as they are your own but depending on what age they are whenever you come into the picture there is not a guarantee they will see you as a parental figure no matter what you do.

I'm lucky to have a great woman who tries her best to ensure the kids realize that I am a parental figure in their life (God knows their biological father isn't), but that still doesn't force the kids to see me as a parent. Maybe with time and as they grow older and look back on their life they will realize that everything I ever did was done out of love for them.