This sounds like a conversation you should be having with your brother-in-law.
I am fully aware that my cats require far fewer resources than my stepsons, but that doesn’t prevent me from counting them as a valuable part of the family unit.
I’m totally okay with counting them as part of the family as stated in my first comment. I had cats myself from 9 to 23. Thinking of getting cats again in the future. It’s strictly the parent label that irks me the wrong way.
This sounds like a conversation you should be having with your brother-in-law.
I am fully aware that my cats require far fewer resources than my stepsons, but that doesn’t prevent me from counting them as a valuable part of the family unit.
I’m totally okay with counting them as part of the family as stated in my first comment. I had cats myself from 9 to 23. Thinking of getting cats again in the future. It’s strictly the parent label that irks me the wrong way.
Is there a right way to be irked?
Why does that specific label bother you? What defines “acceptable” parenthood to you?
They have “real kids” so they’re special now.