Dear Valued Users,
It's with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of StepTalk.org on August 31st, 2025.
This decision wasn't an easy one. For over twenty years, StepTalk has been a source of support for stepparents around the world! However, over the years, the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the site to remain secure, meet current standards and maintain availability have become unsustainable.
We are incredibly grateful for your support, contributions and the community you've helped us build. Your engagement has made StepTalk.org a special place and we cherish the memories and connections made here.
We would especially like to thank Aniki for volunteering to be a moderator and for caring so much.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and we wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dawn and The StepTalk Team
Kids want and need boundaries
Kids want and need boundaries. I suggest that you discuss with your partner - what behaviours are and aren't acceptable in your home. My other bit of advice is that when you enforce consequences for bad behaviour, you need to be consistent. If my bios misbehaved, I would tell them once what the consequences would be if they did it again, and then there would be no further warnings - consequences would always follow.
Never reward bad behaviour. It is easy to do this by default sometimes. eg only giving a kid attention when it plays up - with the result that if that is the only time when he/she gets attention - it will happen more.
Watch The Nanny on youtube
Watch The Nanny on youtube or sometimes you can find her on Bravo. Then start watching while your boyfriend is around, "HEY COME look at this... She is amazing" lets try it. .
Family Rule chart on large carboard poster board. Post where everyone can read it. Start with approx 5 NON- Negoatable rules of the home. Review during "family meeting" time.
Examples could be very similar to class room rules at school
1. No running in house
2. NO jumping on furniture
3. Always put your toys away when your done playing (or 7pm)
4. Always sit in your chair for meals....(fyi some parents let their kids walk around UP and down, UP and down walking around during meals which is a very VERY bad habit. I noticed this parenting syle in the early 2000's now all their kids were on adhd meds because they can sit in school)
5. No hitting anyone.
6. Say please and thank you.
*Most of these rules will also apply at school. IF on the off chance child says "YOU HAVE TOO MANY RULES MY MOM doesnt make me"....bring up school or day care. There are rules at school right?
Take this time to get to know your boyfriend before you move in... Is he marriage material? Would you want to have a family with him? IF he doesnt parent his child he wont parent yours 'together child" either.
GoodLuck