I acquired a step-dad and a step mum when my parents split up when I was 10. They both went on to marry their new partners. If I am honest, my relationship with step mum has been somewhat up and down. I always got on well with her until I had my own children at which point she changed. She would make unkind and unneccessary remarks about both my DC which really upset me. She also had issues about a photo my aunt took of me, dc1, my mum amd MIL at the hospital just after ds1 wasborn. She insisted she should have been included, but as I pointed out, it was not my photo, it was my mum's sister who wanted it and it was not my place to tell her who she could or couldn't include in the photo! Since my dad died, she has been very difficult, even to the point of refusing to tell us where his ashes are so that we can organise some sort of memorial to him.( By the Way, I never had any problems with my dad at all, bless him!)
My step dad on the other hand, could not have been more wonderful. He came into our lives when we were children and made the decision that he wanted to be a part of our family. He never, ever, made any difference between us and his biological children, he always regarded us as his daughters and even argued the point with his ex wife on one occasion. Similarly, when our own children came along, he WAS their grandad and loved them and was loved by them. Sadly, he died 18 months ago and we all miss him so much. He was the perfect template for what a dad, let alone a stepdad, should be.Clearly, we were very lucky to have him in our lives for so long and I will always be very grateful to have been able to call him dad!