I have been "raising" my SS8 and SD5 since they were 4 and 1. We have a rather unique situation as their BM is my wife. She married the kids BF because that was the "right thing to do" but knew for years she was a lesbian. We fell fast into love, moving in together and she insisted she wanted me to help raise the kids as if they were mine. To say the last few years have been challenging would be an understatement. Fortunately, she and I are a great team. That is the blessing and curse.