How to Understand the Struggles of Forming a Step Family

It's hard enough to have two parents, let alone two or three more who aren't even your real parents. Children or teens with step-parents usually think the ideal step-mother or -father is invisible and nonexistent. Since that is unrealistic, except for reproductive couples who are truly happily married (5%) or unhappily married but oppose divorce no matter what (45%), here are some thoughts on the best realistic way to be a step-parent.

Remember, these suggestions are the ideal. In reality it is virtually impossible to adhere to all of the time. It is a constant struggle to watch your new husband or wife raise their children in a different way than you raised yours, or are raising yours, or how you would if you had children.

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