Periagoge
Scenario

Why adopted stepchildren sometimes idealize absent biological parents

I adopted my stepchildren after their biological father abandoned them but now they're teenagers and they romanticize him and act like I'm the villain for taking his place.

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The human need to make meaning from abandonment can transform the person who stayed into the obstacle to the fantasy of who might return.

Your guide for this
Rabia
Rabia works with people navigating exactly this kind of situation.
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Stepparenting and blended family dynamics?”

Peri

Peri can explain why this happens, help you decide if this is the right situation for you, and point toward the right journey or coach.

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.