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Parenting Stepchildren/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Step Son and Daughter | 2/9/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: Peter my wife and I have been married for going on eleven years and we have a total of six children ... A: You have a cluster of simultaneous problems: http://sfhelp.org/hazards.htm 1) It sounds like your ... | ||
| Difficult 18 yrs boy--disrepectful, etc. | 2/8/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I have a teenage daughter (17 yrs) that I have had full custody of her since her father and I ... A: One problem is a marital one - you and your husband disagree over how to set boundaries with his ... | ||
| I'm horrified I'm making my boyfriend's kids worse | 1/31/2012 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I've just moved in with my boyfriend of 2 years. He has a 11 year old son and a 10 year old girl. ... A: Lauren Welcome to step parenting. From your email I can tell that you are a caring and concerned ... | ||
| Boyfriend's daughter | 1/25/2012 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I need advice! I have been dating my boyfriend for almost a year now. We moved in together 5 ... A: Jennifer Welcome to step parenting. Remember that you just moved into their home and their life as ... | ||
| Stepdaughter runing relationship | 1/23/2012 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I have been with my partner twelve years, my step daughter was nearly seven when we got together. ... A: Carol I understand that you feel the hurt of her behaviour and that you have a lack of trust and ... | ||
| HELP! PLEASE! | 1/23/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: Peter, I have been married to my husband for 4.5 years. We have one 2.5 year old, one on the way ... A: You probably have several concurrent problems: 1] Your husband may be carrying psychological wounds ... | ||
| My son refuses to accept my husband | 1/18/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I have been with my now husband for about 3 yrs, married to him for over 1 yr. now. I have a 10 yr. ... A: From what you wrote, a major part of your problem is that your ex sounds like a "Grown Wounded ... | ||
| Teenage Stepchildren | 1/17/2012 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I have two step children, a girl aged 15 and boy aged 13. I have been with their dad for 5 years and ... A: Michelle Welcome to parenting teenagers. I think almost every parent goes through this stage with ... | ||
| How to Handle BPD Ex-stepdaughter Wanting to Attend Our Wedding | 1/15/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: My fiance and I have a wonderful relationship -- we've been together for nearly 3 years, and have ... A: Before I answer, I suggest you and your partner gain vital perspective by studying and discussing ... | ||
| Resentment | 1/11/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I lost my first husband to cancer 12 years ago. We were married for 18 yrs and had 2 daughters, then ... A: From your description, I suspect you have several or all of these problems: 1) you and your husband ... | ||
| Adult stepchildren-enough is enough | 1/6/2012 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I guess I am writing to get validation for my chosen course of action. I think it's the right thing ... A: You mates have more options than you may know. From what you write, your stepkids are "ACAs" - Adult ... | ||
| Am I being unreasonable??? | 12/21/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I have been dating my boyfriend for one and a half years. I am recently divorced and have one ... A: This girl is not the cause of your feelings and her relationship with your partner should not be put ... | ||
| children and sleeping arrangements | 12/18/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: they live in a 3 bedroom house my ex is currently moving in, now we have 2 children of our own a 6 ... A: and my guess is, there is nothing "illegal" in Mass. about the situation you describe. What is more ... | ||
| Teenage stepson | 12/12/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I don't really think there is a solution to my problem but i feel trapped and unhappy at home so I ... A: Ally. From your description, I'd say you have a re/marital problem, not a stepson problem. The ... | ||
| Husband uninvolved with stepson | 12/8/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I’ve been married to my husband for over 6 years. I have a son who is now an older teen and my ... A: Deanna Although you did not ask a question, I have some comments that my help. You probably feel ... | ||
| Meddling ex and step-children | 12/4/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I will try to keep this a short as possible! My husband and I have been married for 3 yrs, both ... A: Your situation - tho unique in detail - is sadly common. You describe multiple concurrent problems: ... | ||
| Partner's relationship with his ex | 12/1/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I am in a relationship with a man who has a 3-yr-old son from a previous relationship and their ... A: you all are now a <u>step</u>family. The next step is to face the reality that for his relationship ... | ||
| I just need a little time alone | 11/24/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: My husband and I have been married for 2 years. We have 5 children (2 his, 3 mine)...ages ... A: Sherry You have a very busy life. My wife and I have 6 daughters between us. I know how busy the ... | ||
| Coping with my boyfriends children | 11/23/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I am a 30 year old living in a conservative society where divorces, living together, being with ... A: and about disliking the hostility and jealousy you feel about your partner's relationship with his ... | ||
| Abusive step son | 11/21/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: My step son is 16 years of age. I've been living with his father since he was 11. He lived with ... A: You seem to be doing everything that you can do for this boy. He must have a lot of pent up anger ... | ||
| Abusive step son | 11/16/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: My step son is 16 years of age. I've been living with his father since he was 11. He lived with ... A: Laurie From what you said above, it sounds like your step son may be suffering from the same ... | ||
| vacation with stepchildren | 11/10/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: I have 3 children (11,14 and 21) and my new wife has 2 children (15 and 17). I have been together ... A: http://sfhelp.org/sf/id.htm Then read and discuss these articles on marital priorities and "loyalty ... | ||
| Raising a stepchild | 11/9/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I have been in a relationship for the past 9 years. Since day one I had to be a stepmom to his 1yr. ... A: Meryl Children need firm , fair and consistent boundaries. What seems to be happening here is she ... | ||
| blended families | 11/1/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: well im not an offical step parent, but i have been dating him for a few years, i have an 11yr old ... A: and (b) how much power you'll give her. She may also feel abandoned by her Dad, and be hurt/angry ... | ||
| Frustrating Stepfamily Dynamics | 10/30/2011 | Peter Gerlach, MSW |
| Q: My husband and I have been together for 3.5 years. We have a one year old son together, and his 8 ... A: I suspect you have an interactive set of normal stepfamily problems causing compound stress. I'm ... | ||
| Help with situation needed | 10/26/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: Denise and I have been together just over 4 years. I have 3 children (16 year old son, 13 year old ... A: Allan This 12 year old girl is screaming for help. She would appear to have some really deep hurt ... | ||
| Husband Moving out with his 22 year old daughter | 10/24/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: We have been married for 13 yrs. I have 2 daughters, 19 & 23. He has 1 daughter, 22 & 1 son, 20. ... A: Diana It seems that your step daughter is the kind that will hand on for a few more years, allowing ... | ||
| Husband Moving out with his 22 year old daughter | 10/18/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: We have been married for 13 yrs. I have 2 daughters, 19 & 23. He has 1 daughter, 22 & 1 son, 20. ... A: Diana You have been married for 13 years. I assume fro m what you said that his daughter lived ... | ||
| step daughter stealing | 10/10/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: My step daughter stole money out of my bedroom. It was left on my dresser, I didn't think I had any ... A: Peggi This is not an easy situation for you. You are caught in a position where if you continue ... | ||
| Blended Family Problems | 10/7/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: When my husband & I got together his son was attending a private school. The cost for this school ... A: Again I stress that these are your feelings ( the relationship being one-sided). And you must deal ... | ||
| Step Parent Rights | 10/7/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: We are entering another school year dealing with the same issues with my 9 year old son and his ... A: A step parent does have limited rights. You are right though, your husband needs to be able to give ... | ||
| stepdaughter of 17 years | 10/5/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I was in a relationship with the mother for just over 9 years and the last time i saw my ... A: Ian I am unable to give legal advice. Indeed you have little to no rights when it comes to your ... | ||
| Blended Family Problems | 10/4/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: When my husband & I got together his son was attending a private school. The cost for this school ... A: Karie I feel that you already know what you should do but that you want confirmation. When it ... | ||
| Teenage stepdaughter | 9/29/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I am looking for a little advise/help with my stepdaughter. She is 14 and I am 24. Her father and I ... A: Christine Think back to when you were 14. How did you treat your mother? Many parents go through ... | ||
| step-daughter and new baby sharing a room... | 9/17/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: My husband and I are having a baby due in December right before Christmas. He has a 6 year old ... A: It sounds like you have a good handle on things. You understand that the six year old is reflecting ... | ||
| x-wife harrassing step parent and family | 9/2/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I'm a step parent and my husbands x-wife is constantly harassing us through the children and taking ... A: M I am not able or qualified to give legal advise. The is a very difficult situation for you and ... | ||
| Stepdaughter stealing numerous time | 8/23/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I've been with my partner for about 4 years, married for just over a year. He has 4 children from a ... A: Angela This is a difficult situation. Your husband is the one that does need to deal with this, ... | ||
| love? | 8/12/2011 | J.L. Slipak |
| Q: My fiance has two children from a previous marriage, ages 4 and 9. He sees them every other weekend ... A: When people offer you advice regarding things that don't concern them, tell them it's none of their ... | ||
| Step kids and financial | 8/12/2011 | J.L. Slipak |
| Q: We split all the bills except he pays 60% for the mortgage and I pay 40%. And also he pays the child ... A: Let's forget for a moment that your cat is a cat. What if we pretended for just a moment that this ... | ||
| Step Father | 8/5/2011 | Rick Olson |
| Q: I am recently married to a man who has never had any children, I have two children, a girl 15 and a ... A: It sounds like he has the best of intentions, but is going about it in the wrong way. Likely he is ... | ||
Parenting Stepchildren
Answers by Expert:
Rick Olson
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
As a stepparent of 4 children and a family coach, I can answer questions about the issues that arise in step-parenting including discipline,blended families, boundaries and guidelines.
Experience
I have 18 years as a stepfather, and over three years as a family coach focusing on unifying, strengthening and empowering families.
Publications
My wife and I have written 2 books on Family FUSE Your Family - Family: Unify Strengthen Empower! and Raising Families
Education/Credentials
BA(Recreation Administration)
Grad Studies in Urban and Regional Planning and Design
Certified as a LifeSuccess Consultant/Coach
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