As a Stepmum, your bond with the step children is much more fragile than that of a birth parent. Even if you have a very close relationship with your stepchildren. When it comes to behaviour issues and discipline, things can go wrong between you. A stepchild will accept a parent telling them off for being naughty or setting out consequences for bad behaviour. But if a Stepmum does that, the child can take it really personally. And feel resentful and reject you. And also complain about you!

So either leave the disciplining to Dad, or discuss in advance what you will say as a united front, with both of you there. What you can do though is start a reward chart. Reward charts are great and you're less likely to get the naughty behaviour.

Stepchildren are negotiating a new path, just as you are.

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