A very goid question. It can be quite challenging

I’ve never been a step parent. I have witnessed a few though that have been really difficult, even years later. I’m glad I didn’t have to attempt it

It sounds so pretty difficult!

My sister was a step parent. Only part time, every second weekend while the kid was young, visits lessened as it got older. It was tough. They weren’t rolling in cash, but the ex made incredible demands at Xmas, birthday and Easter times. Not to mention in general. My daughters hubby felt guilty if he refused, so their kids together often got less to ensure the first born got what mum wanted. It was sad. She’s all grown up now and rarely sees my sister or her half sisters.

i have seen this happen with a few of my known people. Must be difficult to sail through. have seen both fall outs and get alongs 🙂

I think this depends on the childs relationship with both biological parents and the dynamic of the parental figures in the household. I am the child of a step parent and still regard him as my father even though he and my mither have not been together for around 15 years. My grandfather is also not my biological grandfather but I have never considered him anything but my grandad. It is one of those things that varies with each family, no two people are the same so no two situations are the same.

I think it really depends on the situation. I know some people who are closer to their step-parents than their biological parents and love them to death and I also know of many awful situations. Its tricky. One of my friends met a woman with two children, they dated for years and got engaged. Right before the wedding she cheated on him and then ended it. She forbid him from seeing the children again. He loves them like they are his own children but has no legal rights and can’t see them.

Being a step-parent can be a great gift to the parent and child when positive.

I think there is no one answer to this, and the behaviour of the other parent (ex partner) can have a big influence on how hard it is.

I know many step-parents/step-children and, yes, it i can be extremely difficult for=many of them but, I also know many of them that have made it work and absolutely love each other and get on well.

I would not have a problem loving my partner’s children. In fact I would find it a privilege to be part of their lives.

When I first met my husband, one of the first questions I asked was “do you have any children?” If he had said yes, that would have been the end of it for me. No way did I want to be a step-parent.

Not a step parent, but I believe if you are going to take on someone else’s child you should treat them equally as to any future children you have.

I know from stories it can be very hard, but have several friends who have a positive experience. The same counts for foster children / adoptive children, sometimes it works out wonder well and positive and sometimes it’s pure suffering heartache and pain.

I’m sure in the long term it would be.