Stepparents, have a bonus parent mentality.
At our Summit on Stepfamily Ministry, author and stepdad, Steve Arterburn shared ideas on becoming a bonus parent. He said, If you’re still dating, "Don’t hang around the kids a lot unless you know the relationship with their parent is going somewhere. Once you become their stepparent, act like a benevolent uncle or aunt. Create fun experiences for the family and remember to love their parent in obvious ways. Initially kids are more invested in their parent’s well-being, not necessarily in you."