AboutLee Brochstein Expertise I can answer all questions on blending families and being a step parent. I can answer questions about discipline, visitation with the step children when you have your own children living with you and having your children visit with half siblings and step children in your spouses home.
Experience I was a step parent to 7 children for 5 years, as well as having two children during that marriage. I am now a step mother to 4 children that live in another state. My children have half siblings as well as step siblings at their father's house.
Education/Credentials Life experience and good common sense.
Expert: Lee Brochstein Date: 5/26/2008 Subject: I am a step dad.
Question I am married to a woman with 2 children: 20 and 14.5 both sons. I have 50% custody of my 7 yr old daughter. 14.5 step son for 5 years bad in school. pulled from public, to private (kicked out) now in public and has d,d,d,c,b. Bad attitude and plays mom against me. Trial separation to see if she could get control. Has not and now I am fussed at becasue I "obviously" don't love him if I can be so damn hard on him and not just accept him with bad grades. He is very smart and has been tested. It is leading to a divorce, wife puts son first and financial risk and effects on my daughter as none issue. she does not even listen to her ex. he recently was caught watching live porn movies on line and she will not lock him out and have total access to his web activities. Why can't I get her to see how serious it is. she would rather divorce me than fix it.
Answer Todd: You can't control her and get her to see the damage that she is doing. If she chooses her son over you, then that is something that both of you will have to live with. Someone who is wearing blinders has to take them off themselves. I am sorry you are going through this, but perhaps if this is who she is, it is for the best in the long run, not just for you, but for your own daughter as well.
