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: 6/3/2008 Subject: Step-parenting conflicts
Question My current wife and I have been married almost 4 years now. There has been conflicts with the ex I feel has brought friction into our relationship. (ex verbally attacked my wife 2 yrs. ago) I feel resentments have festered. We seem to agree on most parenting issues but sometimes my wife seems to want to be the one calling the shots. My 19 yr. old son recently moved in with us and at first she was excited about it. Now she expects him to find a better job and get his own place. I don't feel the need to "push" him out. It has made things heated at times. I feel we should discuss and come to a reasonable solution but she sometimes gets in moods where she comes close to giving ultimatumes. How do we compromise and come to a solution we can both live with?
Answer Adam: If your son is working, perhaps you can make an arrangement where he pays some of the living expenses at home, or has to save a certain percentage so that he can find his own place. After all, he is 19, and he is an adult. I understand both where you and your wife are coming from. But, a good compromise is either that I mentioned.
