Leann Rimes: 'Stepmom' Has A Bad Connotation

Leann Rimes is not a "stepmom" to new hubby Eddie Cibrian's two sons. Sure, she married Cibrian after their much publicized affair and subsequent divorces -- inheriting a new blended family along the way. But according to the self-titled "bonus mom," "A family is a family...there is no 'step' about it."

Rimes took to her personal blog Tuesday to speak out against the inadequacies of the word "step," which she says "take on such a negative connotation to so many in our society." The outspoken country star wrote about the challenges so-called stepparents face:

"It’s not easy being a stepparent, taking on a mother or father role in your new blended family and household. It can be incredibly intimidating," she writes. “There are many obstacles to overcome. Two households with different rules, many different personalities and opinions that can pose issues at times. But it’s important to take the high road for the kids’ sake and ultimately your own.”

She adds: "One thing that I know is, I will never replace their mother. I would never try. I will however love them with all I have and do everything in my power to help raise them in a loving, safe and proper environment.”

Rimes and her ex-husband, Dean Sheremet, divorced in December 2009, eight months after revelations of her and Cibrian's affair surfaced in March 2009 and three months after Cibrian split from his wife of eight years, Brandi Glanville.

She and CIbrian tied the knot in April 2011.

Photos Of Rimes And Cibrian:

Comments

[Lynda Davis]

01:36 PM on 11/11/2011

Wow the way Leann is acting about this whole situation makes her seem less like some country music darling and more like a Hollywood brat with no clue of about boundaries and common courtesy. People can defend her cheating all they want to and frankly I never cared about that whole thing. But the way she is acting with those children shows a lack of respect for their family and their mother. Yes step-parents are an important part of children's lives and I have a step family that as far as I'm concerned is just my family. But my step parent knew how to enter my life in the appropriate way and give me time to adjust to what was going on. You don't just pop into someone else's life an start trying to play mommy. And does she think the kids will thank her for showing a complete lack of respect for their mother yet again? When you are the homewrecker in the situation it's appropriate to watch your boundaries with the kids and acknowledge the fact that you messed up their home and you may have to ease your way into their lives. This "bonus mom" nonsense really does make her look narcissistic.

[Jenna71]

12:05 AM on 10/26/2011

I think LeAnn is on drugs. Seriously. The weight loss, excessive, NOT 10 lbs, the erractic bahviot, constant twitter, mocking her husband's ex wife with the same boobs, same dress designer, same wardrobe, the excessive commenting on her role as a "step" parent, etc. It is not normal. I read something today that LeAnn was offened that Eddie's ex, Brandy did an interview on Wendy Williams discussing in part, the affair. Really? Every show I've seen LeAnn on in the past 2 - 2.5 years asks her the same questions, and she speaks her mind on the subject, but the ex wife isn't allowed? She has a paranoid or one-sided thought process it seems and that is alos typical of someone taking drugs. Someone close to her should help her.

[Ashley Lesniak]

11:22 PM on 10/24/2011

Oh MY GOD people so what LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian had an affair. Do I agree with it no I dont but it is their life not anyone else. You people have no idea what was going on in either marriage. For all you know their both were on the verge of filling for divorce. So what they fell in love before their divorces were final. Yes there were children involved. Hate to tell you people this but 50% of marriages end in divorce and yes there are children involved and that mean there are going to be step parent and it is the new family's responsibility to establish the roll of the new step parent. I am going to say this again SO What they had and affair it want the best way for them to come out as a couple but it happened and people need to get over it and shut the hell up!

[Ashley Lesniak]

11:04 PM on 10/24/2011

I am so sick and tired of people dissing LeAnn and her life decisions. Do I agree with the way she and Eddie came to be married no I dont cheating is wrong. But people have no idea what was going on behind close doors between the two married couples. You have no clue if they were heading for divorce. Yes there are children involved just like in ever remarriage in the world. So what she is a step mother who is going to help raise those kids like they were her own. So what she has ever right to do so. There are children involved and they deserve to be loved by every one involved. The term step child or step parent can be very damaging to that relationship. It is up to the child to decide on what to call their new step parent. If they want to refer to them as a bonus mother than they can. If LeAnn wants to refer to herself as a bonus mother than what the hell let her she is doing no harm to anyone. I am so sick and tired of people dissing LeAnn for the choices she made. Its her life not yours. You people need to back off and leave her alone to live her life the way she wants. The only thing she has done is fall in love with the love of her life while they were still married. People do it every day!

[Melissa Mayorga]

06:04 PM on 10/04/2011

Whatever kind of "mom" she plans on being to those kids it will never take away the pain she caused them by breaking up their family.

[katieandtom]

08:03 AM on 10/03/2011

she is disgusting

[NINA B]

02:51 AM on 10/26/2011

You must be about 14 and your mother needs to curtail your internet usage. Comment on the article and refrain from personal attacks on other posters. Flagged.

[gleannfia]

06:46 PM on 10/02/2011

Something about Eddie Cibrian screams: Major Player

[stape45]

01:31 PM on 10/02/2011

So, what kind of mom are you, LeLe?

[Raven1970]

12:01 PM on 10/01/2011

Hey kids, sorry I slept with your daddy and helped ruin your family, but that's about you...let's talk about me, I don't like being called a "stepmother" doesn't have the importance I believe I deserve...I like Bonus Mom!

Ummmm.....can you say narcissist.

[Hannah Knise]

06:30 PM on 10/02/2011

I so couldn't agree with you more. What example does that set. She says she isn't a step mom but she isn't trying to replace their real mom well what is she then? The babysitter who sleeps with their father? I do believe the guys marriage was in the process of being or already was over but she was still married. If I were those kids I would have absolutely no respect for her and wouldn't even consider calling her a step mom so she wouldn't have to worry about that title.

[Jenna71]

12:07 AM on 10/26/2011

Yes, very narcissist personality. I think she has a drug problem.

[Jenna71]

12:18 AM on 10/26/2011

I think the comments and blogs that LeAnn makes like this is why Brandy refers to her as overbearing. That would make sense.

[mad world]

08:41 AM on 10/01/2011

I had a stepdaughter, who still looks up to me despite her father and I splitting. Her mother is a wreck. She smoked the entire pregnancy, dragged my ex into court for custody battles constantly (which she kept losing) , neglected my former stepdaughter and allowed her boyfriend to physically abuse her as well. She refused to work and once even confessed that she liked to lock herself in the bathroom when my stepdaughter became "too much" .She was pretty much the worst mother I have ever met in the flesh. Even then, I never would have thought to call myself a "bonus mom". LeAnn is incredibly insensitive. I'm not going to play morality police and harp on the way she got her husband, but she should have enough tact to not spout off online publically about being a "bonus mom" to kids who are still basically grieving the death of their old family dynamic, the death of which she in some way contributed to.

[nuzzybear]

04:02 PM on 09/29/2011

"Step-mom" does have a bad connotation... she should stick with "Homewrecking Adultress."

[b4pangea]

03:14 PM on 09/29/2011

First a bonus wife, then a bonus mom. Makes sense to me.

[Bethanese]

02:03 PM on 09/29/2011

Excuse the !*#% out of me? "Bonus mom?!?!" "Stepmother" is an age-old term, and when you say that you are a "stepmother," the basic gist of what your position is in your family is known (YOU help make that negative or positive, honey - you are the adult). As a stepmother myself, I HATE the term "bonus mom," as it implies equal ground with either biological parent. Unless the biological mother is completely out of the picture and one is raising her stepchildren in the capacity of a mother, this is generally not the case.

As a stepmother, you have married the children's father; YOU ARE NOT THEIR MOTHER, bonus or otherwise, and life will be a lot easier once you accept that. That is not to say that a stepparent cannot and will not be important in the life of a child, but women who walk around acting like they're "raised" their stepchildren when the biological mother is still a fit parent and very much in the picture give the rest of us a bad name... and make life difficult for the OTHER people involved. Yes, always remember there are other people involved, at least one of whom is influenced at least in part by your behavior.

This is a general statement. I will not even get started on the person who is being quoted, as her credibility is allegedly questionable.

[SuzyScorp]

03:54 PM on 09/29/2011

Very well said!

[Ashley Lesniak]

11:07 PM on 10/24/2011

It is up to the family on what to call the step parent and what kind of roll they will play in that child's life. If Eddie is okay with the term bonus mom then oh well there is nothing you can do about it. You have no clue if Eddie's ex is okay with the term bonus mom either.

[Bethanese]

07:24 AM on 10/25/2011

Nope, never said I had a clue about what these particular people call themselves. And I really don't care; I don't even really know who they are or what happened. I think I noted that in my last statement. And as for "there's nothing you can do about it" um, did I make up a petition or write to my congressperson? There's nothing I am trying to do about it. I stated my opinion, that is all. If you don't like it, well, there is "nothing you can do about it!"

[Lynda Davis]

01:44 PM on 11/11/2011

You say it is up to the family Ashley? Well Brandi is the mother in this situation and she says Leann is overbearing. Just because Eddie and Leann and her fans like you are over the adultery doesn't mean Brandi or the kids are.

[paulsca138]

01:54 PM on 09/29/2011

"Step" should have a bad connotation especially when your concerned. You took these kids daddy away from their mommy

[paulsca138]

01:52 PM on 09/29/2011

FYI Hey Leann get an editor, you "raise" chickens, you rear children. If your going to be a "blogger"
get a tiny grasp on the English language.

[Grazieeee]

02:14 PM on 09/29/2011

"You're"***