Positive step-family stories

[Life2Short4Nonsense]

This thread is not a dig at posters who come here looking for support and advice. I think it's great we can do that here.

I was thinking about how JD Vance attacked Kamala Harris for not having any children of her own, but being "merely a stepmom". Then some positve stories came out about how she, her husband and his ex-wife manage to take care of the teenagers between them very well. Ofcourse you never know what goes on behind closed door, but I loved the vibe of these positive stories.

So I am asking for more. I would love to hear more positive stories of step-families who have made it work and what are the most positive aspects.

My DSS is now nearly 22, met him when I was six- he was an only child…. When he was 12 I had DS and when he was 16 I had DD. DSS lived with us 50/50 from age 8/9 onwards, some stages full time due to his Mums MH issues. We’ve all got a relationship together, it was v tricky with his mum until he turned around 15/16yrs old. Since then we’ve been able to spend special occasions together, ie Christmas - birthdays (his 21st) so us 4, his ex wife and her partner, MIL etc…. She’s kind to my children and there are no issues between us all.
I’ve a fantastic relationship with my DSS and see him as I do my own- it’s changed obvs now he’s older and doesn’t need “parenting” as he used too- by the love has not changed at all.
Not once have I had those thoughts about DSS that seem all so common on this MN- from reading a lot though - I’m probably
v much in the minority

My DH was child free by choice when we met. We kept our relationship separate from the children for almost a year but then slowly blended our lives together. Now we are married and every one is happy as larry. He is an absolutely lovely step dad and the kids love him almost as much as I do