I have never had a boyfriend with children, but I’ve had prospects that forced me to think about how I would go about being a step mom. I had never realized my desire or the potential, even though several gifted children I’ve met have had no qualms whatsoever about the wheelchair or me with my impaired movement and have brought exceptional delight to me. It was really flattering to the guys when I spoke of giving their little son or daughter rides on my lap in the wheelchair (I have a seat belt), and this action would be an effective transition for the kids too. They’d get a real kick out of it if I held them securely so that fear wouldn’t get in the way. Showing them my horn or my headlights and letting them participate in the fun of using them is another idea. One of my little nephews who was fascinated with trucks spent hours a couple of times talking to me about imaginative adjustments and repairs that the chair ‘needed.’ Role playing is extremely helpful for children, and I was on cloud nine.

Please see my post Raising Children Into Diversity in the ‘Spinning My Wheels’ category.