Is anyone a step parent to young children? I've read books, articles and forums, but have yet to see how anyone has dealt with young children. Our children are ages 2, (mine) and 4 and 6 (his) His ex wife is very bitter, and has told the kids that if it wasn't for me having married their dad, that they would be living together as a family again (which isn't true). It gets much worse than that, however, it is very sad for the children, because they are so torn between the loyalty to thier biological mother and their genuine 'like' for me, they feel like they are betraying her by liking me. They are with us 50% of the time. She is being served this week, we are filing for custody, hopefully we will get them during the week, day hours. Our area has much safer and better schools and we know they will be eating right here, bathing regularly, attending church, family routines, etc. I've said a bit more than I was planning to, it's just such a frustrating situation to be in, I have never known anyone with step children before so I have nothing to compare it to. Does anyone have any real advice?