Bonus parents

Until a generation ago, people who lived with their partner's children from a previous relationship were called "second fathers" and "second mothers." In the past, when marriage was a necessity both morally and economically, this "substitution" was logical, but for a number of reasons these words have a negative connotation today. Meanwhile, the decision to live with your partner – with or without marriage – today is more of an emotional and existential choice, which is why the modern term "bonus parent" is not only entirely appropriate, but also appropriately optimistic. Because this special role in the family is not always idyllic, but it is definitely a prerequisite for something constructive.

To accept that I am in love and I long to live together with the one I fell in love with. My favorite has one or more children with whom he lives either permanently or, let's say, every other week.

How do I view this situation – as a bonus or as an inevitable price we have to pay for our relationship?

Am I ready to take care of children - whether for the first time or in addition to my own?

Am I prepared to live with my beloved in direct competition with a child who also has claims to his body, attention and love?

Or maybe it's the other way around and this is my last chance to live with a child, with all the joys and satisfaction that comes with participating in the growth and development of a small person? And if so, does that mean that my romantic relationships with not one, but at least two people, are at risk of faltering when the everyday becomes routine again?

Both options involve taking on some additional responsibilities, but what exactly does that mean? How do I understand my own responsibilities? What ideas and expectations does my partner have in his head and do they match mine? Along with the responsibility comes the need to take an adequate position in relation to the other biological parent of the children.

How important is it to me as a bonus that my children get closer to my parents and other loved ones - and what do they themselves think about this?

It is important to ask ourselves these and many other questions, although initially, when we are most in love, they may seem too serious, distant and burdensome. But the truth is that even the most all-consuming infatuation or love doesn't always overcome everything.

Over the course of my long career as a family counselor, I have met countless many 'brought in', 'welded', 'joined' - or whatever you want to call them - families. And they fall into exactly the same traps as the traditional "nuclear" family. Later in the book, I'll summarize the most important pitfalls and give some suggestions on how to avoid or overcome them. But since we're talking about living life after all, there's no manual, no "10 tips" guaranteed to save us the hassle and the pain. Approach your new family armed not only with love and responsibility, but also with the will for personal development, intelligence and willingness to deal with problems.

Bonus Parents is an innovative medical textbook dedicated to the study and understanding of important aspects of parenting and its impact on the health and well-being of the baby and parents. This resource is designed to provide medical students, future physicians, and other health care professionals with a systematic and comprehensive review of topics related to childbirth, parenting, and child development.

In the first chapters, the textbook focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system and the processes associated with pregnancy. From conception to fetal development, students gain basic knowledge about the normal course of pregnancy and the factors that can affect it.

The following sections deal with antenatal care and methods of assessing the baby during pregnancy. The textbook provides details of important examinations and tests that help monitor the baby's healthy development and detect any problems.

In the center of the textbook is the individual and partner experience of parenthood. Topics such as psychology of pregnancy, preparation for childbirth, support and communication between expectant parents are presented. This aspect of the textbook helps students understand the psychosocial aspects of parenting and how these can affect the health of the baby and the parents.

The textbook offers an extensive overview of the birth process - from the physiological process of transferring the baby through birth to the influence of different methods of obstetrics. The specific scenarios and complications associated with different types of birth are discussed in terms of their impact on maternal and infant health.

The baby and newborn are also the center of attention. The textbook provides information on newborn care, the meal and the development of the baby during the first months of its life. Topics also include vaccinations, screenings, and the importance of early childhood care.

Bonus Parents combines a traditional approach to medical education with an emphasis on the practical and social aspects of parenting. Students are encouraged to view each case as unique and to