Thanks @PapaBill very much appreciated. I'll see how talking some boundaries through with my partner goes and see what happens. I'll also keep in mind that 2/14 days is not a lot of time, and they are there to be with their dad - and give them the time to do that.   That will actually likely help a lot :)   If anyone else has ideas or advice to add, please do, the more the merrier! Thanks again! ... View more

Hi @PapaBill    Thank you so much for the response and the advise.   I don't have kids of my own, so I have nothing to compare step-parenting to which doesn't help sometimes. There's no baseline to play off or compare to.   My partner is lovely and tries to help as much as possible, but i think there is something of a disconnect with the expectations as well. Sitting down and talking through some things, making some plans and guidelines as you've suggested will probably help a lot.   There's been so many changes this past 9 months (moving to an area I don't know, buying a house, the kids starting to come over, my partner had major knee surgery at Christmas and could't really do a lot for a good 8 weeks, new job..........) that they all start to pile up. It's overwhelming trying to deal with it all.   I've read some good things online about step parenting which has helped a bit. Some sites actually recommend NOT spending much time with them when they are over as they are there to see their parents and not me? I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do or not - though I suspect it would make things a little easier for the older ones at least. I also read not to expect too much, and any expectations that I did have, roll them back and reconsider them?   What do you think? Any other advice on managing the transition?   Thanks again! ... View more

1. How old are your kids and what is one thing they've done recently that made you laugh? My stepkids are 10, 12, 14, and 21. The youngest always makes me giggle when she's being goofy. 2. Parenting can be really stressful - how do you try to keep those stress levels down? I'm still getting used to the whole parenting thing. Being a step parent is a lot harder than you imagine it to be! We only have the kids one weekend out of 2, but I try to make sure that I have some me time while they are around. Even if it's just chilling in the bedroom for a Sunday afternoon nap for an hour.   3. What led you to ReachOut Parents today? I need help! Like I said the step parent thing is new and full of emotions and changes I did not expect. There are also exceptionally few resources available to step parents and I"m hoping to find some people on here who have been through what I'm going through now. 4. Whats your top tip for parents whose kids are about to enter teenage years? Sorry I don't have one of these yet - I'll let you know when I do! 5. Whats the best thing about weekends? When we have the kids - watching them enjoy getting comfy in our new home. When we don't have the kids - getting my partner all to myself! ... View more