Do you believe step-parents can love...

[GrainOfSalt]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

step children as their own?

What is your reasoning for your answer?

I think it depends on the bio parents more than anything else. If mom is an angry vindictive control freak who hates her ex and the new wife, and dad doesn't take the effort/time to integrate his children AND new wife into the new "family" dynamic, then NO.... I think it sucks for all involved.

If mom isn't harboring any hate for the dad (as in both parents have moved on from each other) and is mature enough to "share" her child, and dad puts forth the effort to help both his wife and kids adapt, then YES I think steps can bond and feel true love for each other.

[Oleg Bach]

They can love them as their own up to a limit. When the child is an infant they are easy to love. When they get older adopted or step kids may prove to be an irritation...suddenly out of the blue certain traits begin to appear that might irritate or disturb the step parent. The parents forget that genetics play a strong role in what type of character emerges..They like natural parents expect their kids to be like them- but are taken back when they find they may be nurturing a young person that they simply don't like.