Ok, I'm not a step mum but I thought that nobody could help me sort this out in a better way than a step parent who has practical experience in dealing with this.
I'm a single mum with a 6 year old boy, and my boyfriend has a 3 year old boy.
My boyfriend did have some non very realistic expectations for the behaviour of a 6 year old, but we have talked through things, he has got to spend more time with DS and the relationship between them is improving all the time. So all that very good...
However... I am finding it very difficult to do the same with his son. I'm ashamed of it, and really want to improve things but I really don't know how to do it.
I don't think his son dislikes me, quite the opposite but... well I suppose his dad spends such a little time with him that he doesn't want to ruin it and he allows the little soul to do as he pleases. As a result, a simple disagreement may and usually result in a full blown tantrum. The child is whinging all day long, we have to obey his every whim and we spend the day walking over eggshells to avoid upsetting him.
I have to say that although I try and try I'm starting to wonder if we have any future together. I don't think the child is the problem, obviously being 3 years old he doesn't even know what he wants so having him ruling the day is a bit frustrating. Sometimes the behaviour is so unacceptable I feel like saying "I think that you should stop that, and please don't give up when the tantrum starts" but well, it is not easy, is it?
So... if you had something similar, how did you manage?