You are here:

Parenting Stepchildren/Questions

SubjectDate AskedExpert
Step Son and Daughter2/9/2012Peter 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.2/8/2012Peter 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 worse1/31/2012Rick 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 daughter1/25/2012Rick 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 relationship1/23/2012Rick 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!1/23/2012Peter 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 husband1/18/2012Peter 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 Stepchildren1/17/2012Rick 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 Wedding1/15/2012Peter 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 ...
Resentment1/11/2012Peter 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 enough1/6/2012Peter 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???12/21/2011Rick 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 arrangements12/18/2011Peter 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 stepson12/12/2011Peter 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 stepson12/8/2011Rick 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-children12/4/2011Peter 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 ex12/1/2011Peter 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 alone11/24/2011Rick 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 children11/23/2011Peter 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 son11/21/2011Rick 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 son11/16/2011Rick 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 stepchildren11/10/2011Peter 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 stepchild11/9/2011Rick 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 families11/1/2011Peter 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 Dynamics10/30/2011Peter 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 needed10/26/2011Rick 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 daughter10/24/2011Rick 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 daughter10/18/2011Rick 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 stealing10/10/2011Rick 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 Problems10/7/2011Rick 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 Rights10/7/2011Rick 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 years10/5/2011Rick 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 Problems10/4/2011Rick 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 stepdaughter9/29/2011Rick 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...9/17/2011Rick 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 family9/2/2011Rick 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 time8/23/2011Rick 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?8/12/2011J.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 financial8/12/2011J.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 Father8/5/2011Rick 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 ...

Page:   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10  |  Next      All

Parenting Stepchildren

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.