As much as popular literature likes to present blended families as no different than biologically intact families, families with stepparents and stepchildren present special challenges.

Divorced fathers often carry guilt from the divorce over to their relationships with their children in second marriages. Carryover guilt is simply a given in the situation and stepparents are better off not to be surprised or let this reality get in the way of developing relationships with stepchil

The stepmother should avoid being the chief disiplinarian.

Stepmothers are outsiders in the natural world, but you can still make a good place for yourself with your stepchildren.

Stepmothers have a harder time because they are the natural outsiders, but stepmothers can make things work better.

Stepmothers must remember they are wives first and parents by default.

What should children call their stepmother?

Dividing up household chores can be a problem in a blended family. Here are some tips.

How to manage stepchildren's snacking and between meals requests.

Stepparents must pick their battles. Work on limited behavior change rather than overall character change.