Your stepchild isn’t rejecting you. They’re protecting their biological parent. Every smile at you can feel like a betrayal of their mom or dad. Don't take it personally. Take it patiently.
Here’s what the alpha version of blended family life actually looks like: blended family [v0.02.alpha] [glyph]
Hollywood sold us “instant love.” Reality sells us “coexisting without casualties.” Focus on trust and basic courtesy first. Love may come in year 4 or 5. Or never. That’s okay. Respect holds the house together longer than forced affection ever will. Your stepchild isn’t rejecting you