I am a step-parent. I thank god I do not have to deal with matters anymore. His kids are 32 and 30 now. The 32 year old is a real trouble maker, calls his dad still when he is drunk, to blame him for the lousy life he has. Which is 32 fault not his fathers. The 30 year old has no contact with anyone at all. If I had to do it all over again I won't unless the guy was secure enough in his own skin to deal with his x and the children. Mine isn't. His kids would lie, mannipulate or what ever, it wasn't easy. We have two kids together they are 23 & 25 and you can sure see the difference in how the children were raised. My kids (our) really can't be bothered with the kids from their fathers first marriage at all.