How much input should there be raising step-children?
435633
Boy, I wish I had really discussed this BEFORE I married my first husband & took on the raising of his son. My husband was totally opposed to me disciplining his son. . .but perfectly willing to let me suffer the consequences of not having any authority with the child. Meaning, that kid ran all over me.\n\nAlso,kids don't understand that "fair" is not always "equal". It will be clearer for all if there are consistent rules for everyone. They might get upset that, say, they never had to be in bed by nine before, but that upset is nothing compared to how furious a kid would get if he had to be in bed at nine, but Janey got to stay up till whenever.\n\nTo this day, my brother resents our stepsister because he thinks she was treated better than us--and we're all in our thirties now! Our dad would never discipline her, but her mom would discipline us. So, again, we might have hated stepmom's new rules, but I doubt my brother would still be bitter if stepsister had had to accept our dad's rules.\n\nTry having a family council, if your kids are old enough, and through discussion & compromise, come up with your own "blended" standards & rules.
430392
Well I guess it depends what kind of show you are doing but I think the main thing when doing anything with children this yound is to try and keep them INVOLVED and ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING somehow......also keeping things as simple and humurous as possible also helps.
601062
It depends on how well you know them. If it's family, anywhere from 20-100. Coming from a 2005 grad, anything is appreciated!
737597
not enough press on a non adopted kid\nb
204905
How long I ground my kid depends on what she does. but you might look for help here.\nhttp://www.raisingkids.co.uk/homepages/homepage_default.asp
1138896
I would pick QUALITY over QUANTITY anyday!!! But since you asked about quantity, it varies from week to week depending on what life decides to throw at us. WE have been married for 5 years and have 7 kids. We average 3-4 times a week...some weeks its everyday..and some weeks its once.
851624
I think it's vital that both parents and professionals work together, especially when SEN children are involved. By working together they'll be able to help the child develop further and share any achievements/concerns for one another to look out for.
982103
46.  23 from each parent unless you have down syndrome, then you will have 47
587589
As much as you can afford to. Just because they are grown doesn't mean they don't make mistakes or need help. Just don't be taken advantage of.
592918
Hi: My husband and I have children from previous marriages and it is complicated.  The blended family needs a disclaimer: results may vary.  In my experience both partners need to give the other alot of grace.  Relationships can be difficult with our own children, let alone a new girlfriend/wife.  Some parent child relationships are difficult, some are easy.  Psychologists call this goodness of fit. We all have different personalities and we can't always relate to one another.  As for my husband and I, after alot of stuggle I think we relized we are not able to rescue our kids from the missing parent that left them.  Our kids are the ones that respond to the step parent, if they choose not to be responsive and enter into a relationship we cannot force them.  The wicked step mother applys, even when you are an angel from heaven.  Some kids never respond to the step parent.  Dr. James Dobson said in one of his books (paraphrased): The child takes on the job of protecting the family of orgin, they will ask when is Daddy coming home, they will say "you are'nt my mom."  It really depends on how old your kids are.  I think in our case, our kids were too old to start a new family.  My husband and I should of waited to get married until the nest was less populated.  In short if you married a woman with no kids, dont expect her to be perfect, and angel sent to make everything roses and sunshine for your kids.  If she is human she will have stuggles and make mistakes, but love is the greatest of all.\nGod Bless.....
86213
the sooner the better.  of course, they're not going to have the best dextarity when they're younger--but it doesn't hurt to start them out early.  a lot of people think that other eager parents "push" their kids.  this is quite the contrary.  babies/toddlers/small children love to learn, they don't look at it like a chore or a burden.  while they are very young their little minds are like sponges and they pick up more than what you think.  my 3 year old is able to write the alphabet and never once has he complained when i work with him.  you just have to keep in mind their attention spans.  start out with a couple minutes at a time, a couple times a day.  they will think it's fun and it incorporates a good value of education for them.  don't just stop there though with writing; if you have the time and the willingness you can also teach them math and number values.  anyone that says that this is not "good" for you kids, to let them have a "normal childhood" is not taking advantage of this window of time when children are very eager to learn. keep in mind that this is what kids love and "want" to do. if they can pick up little things from watching tv, why not have them pick up facts and figures?  just make things fun and they will literally be begging you to teach them more.
637211
As many as you can stand giving birth to. Other than that. If it's for a "day care" I tihnk it's about six, but I'd check with your local laws to make sure. ALso, your house might need to pass some kind of inspection, if you're going to do it legally.
343409
Questions should not be accumulated and memorized. They should come naturally within instruction or conversation with the kids.\n\nShe needs to decide what topic she's going to do with the kids, then ask questions about it that are about the things the kids can see, hear, touch, etc. or for them to draw conclusions (start with one step, then add if they are doing well). For instance, if she does want to talk about colors with the kids, she could do some fingerpainting or watercolors with them. Only give the kids the primary colors (red, yellow, blue). Have them try mixing the different colors. Ask "What color does red and yellow make?"\n\nOr lets say she wants to teach the difference between living and non-living things. She could put a rock and a caterpillar on the table, and ask the kids "What is the caterpillar doing?" "What is the rock doing?" "What can the caterpillar do that the rock can't do?"
966087
Way too long.  Have a talk with your husband.  Set a time limit for this kid to get on his feet or sink on his own.  3-6 months should be sufficient.  The two of you together must approach the son and inform him of your final decision and the time limit.  Whether he's in good shape or bad, everybody's on the same page and knows exactly when the moving out date is.  Why should he be self sufficient and independent when he can leech off the two of you?  Some children are natural manipulaters  and users and lazy.  They just need a giant hard push out into the real world.
542589
It depends on your state's minimum wage and how many children and their ages. I would advise $5 for one child $1 for each extra child. so if theres three children then u should be getting 7 an hour
791215
You have to ask a lot of what-ifs when dealing with step-children or even step-parents.\n\nFor instance: What if he/she was my own child?  What if he/she was my real parent?\n\nRealistically, you treat step-children differently.  Sometimes even better than you treat your own children.  I call it over-compensating.\n\nA lot of things also depend on the age, the level of difficulty they are behaving and whether or not you are given some responsibility in their upbringing.\n\nIf the child is difficult with the real parent present, and you don't agree with the way the parent is handling it, try discussing it later during a quiet time alone.  Since the child is a step-child I will assume you are married and so your spouse should be able to handle some criticism from you.\n\nIf the child is difficult while you are babysitting (so to speak) then let that child know there will be punishments.  Again, age will dictate whether or not they go to a corner for quiet time, or have a video game taken away.  You should not have to suffer unruly behavior just because the child isn't yours.\n\nSometimes the child is missing a parent and needs a little empathy.  If they are bored and become unruly, go for a drive, discuss things that are enjoyable for both of you.  You can do things without spoiling.  A park, bike ride, horseback riding or even a movie once in a while is great together time.
1008378
I don't have children yet, but I plan to.  And when I do, I plan on teaching them the fundamentals (at the very least) of all major faith's (and some not so major).  Because I don't think there's merely "one" true path to the Divine, I will encourage them to seek out and choose their own way.\n\nI feel it's absolutely essential to encouraging tolerance and understanding among their peers.  I think it's good for them to understand what makes people think differently, and what our similarities are.  As they grow into adults and enter the work force, they will be that much more prepared to handle the dynamics of a multi-cultural environment.