Wow, the one thing I learned being in a stepfamily: A stepparent should never administer discipline, just support the natural parent. You can't even fathom how much resentment this will cause your stepchildren later in life. Seriously, it's more important than you can imagine. There have been not only WT & Awake articles about this, but also worldy psychology sources that all add up to the fact that you can't expect a child to obey a stranger wholeheartedly; no matter his age, how much he likes the parent or how correct the parent is. You know what kind of trouble I've had with this, Dave. Just think about it.
Yeah, Di, I was a step-kid a few times myself. The cool thing about these kids is that they are receptive. Trish is the one who disciplines, but they are interested and responsive to my input on stuff. Ryan knows I have a good insight on music and entertainment, so he respects my thoughts, as well as the thoughts of the friends. I'm actually going to have him read these comments, rather than tell him what was said... letting him see what other brothers and sisters themselves say about these bands!
receptive for only a few more years. I'm not being negative, I'm a realist. one of the most spiritual families I know has had 2 really *good* kids publicly reproved and one privately. the dad had to step down as an elder. kids get into puberty and bang they seem to become aleins from another planet.