# @raisingculturesfamily on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DThHryMjk9H
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/43913448-raisingculturesfamily-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/fbeab9d411.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-01-15T04:13:16.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Keia Jones Baldwin (@raisingculturesfamily) — https://gondola.cc/raisingculturesfamily

## Caption

I was having a casual conversation with someone today about step-parents. She stated that her husband is “not allowed to discipline her son as his step-dad” and I said whatever works for y’all, but as for me and my house…my husband is the adult and parent. We discussed what discipline will look like for each of our children and I trust my husband to do what’s best…otherwise I wouldn’t have married him.  Sometimes the world likes to put an asterisk next to the word parent when it’s preceded by step. But God never does.

Although we have 4 children, Rick is only “technically” Zariyah’s step-father. When Rick met Zariyah, she was just 4 years old. Small hands, big eyes, and a heart that had already seen more than most. He didn’t come in trying to replace anyone. He didn’t demand a title. He simply showed up…and kept showing up.

From day one, he chose her.
He loved her without conditions, without hesitation, without needing biology to validate his role.
He prayed over her, protected her, corrected her, celebrated her, and covered her the way scripture calls a father to do. Blood makes you related. Love makes you family.

Some step-parents do what biology alone never could: they stay. They sacrifice. They serve. They love like Christ-intentionally, consistently, and selflessly. And that kind of love matters deeply.

The Bible tells us that God places the lonely in families, and I’ve watched Him do exactly that through Rick. What the enemy could have used for brokenness, God redeemed with purpose. What could have been complicated, He made holy.

So today, I honor my husband, not as a “step” anything but as a father in every sense that counts. And I honor every step-parent who loves a child as their own, who understands that calling doesn’t require DNA, only obedience and a willing heart. Let’s stop dismissing the role and importance that step-parents have in the child’s life. Not to overstep or replace but to enhance ❤️❤️❤️ #raisingcultures #stepparenting

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## Tags

stepparenting, raisingcultures

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