Steve Harvey Breaks Down Stepfamilies

The author of "Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man" offers relationship advice.

[mrpickle]

Families are not for everybody and I’m glad I don’t have a family of my own. It’s more peaceful and I love my simple life without expectations.

[cmichole]

My step father always took care of the household. I never really had a strong connection with him though. I’ve always respected him and have been kind but wouldn’t confide about personal things. Or go hang out. You can’t force things. He’s my mothers husband and I respect him for taking me in and helping raise me.

[eugeneeverard]

I think it is probably a lot easier to get someone’s kids to move in and like someone when they are funny, rich and famous.

[mafiooato]

Never be a stepfather. It will destroy you for life.

[dalmaingrant]

I tried the blended family thing and it ruined my life and leave everyone unhappy, I view all 5 as my children, I never identified any of them as step children, that created grudge and bad feelings, the wholeness I fought so hard for fell apart quickly partly because there was a lot of back stabbing from the people who were suppose to have my back and help me make it happen

[PrincessAndHenry]

"Step" is not a curse word. It is okay to refer to your spouse's kids as your stepkids, because that is what they are. It's not a bad term to use. They have parents already, you cannot just come in and insist that you are "mom" or "dad".

[aurelli]

I think Maury says it best...YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER!!!

[sherryd]

Nobody considers that when you divorce it's like throwing a grenade into the child's life. Then when either or both parents remarry it's another grenade. The child gets no say in the situation at all. The parent says this is my new wife/husband. These are your new siblings. I love them and that's all that matters. Nobody cares if the child loves the new family, new rules, new parent, new siblings.

[heatherann]

Don't date someone with kids. Problem solved!!!

[augustineramos_]

Step families rarely work. Don’t let the media fool you for all we know there’s big drama at Steve’s house when the cameras are off.

[immanuel]

Man im glad my parents divorced and meet new people when i was big enough to move out.... Poor children living in this situation having to adapt to parents choises

[angelicarodriguez]

If a step parent has earned that title of "mom" or "dad" from a child/teen it's because they're doing right by that child/teen. It takes a level of maturity to accept and coparent. Some people don't have it. Being a step parent is a thankless job. It takes someone special to be able to love their partners children as their own.

[dianpowell]

The step father step mother curse. I dnt want to deal with that at all.

[aishahstriggles]

Steve, he is a very positive brother.

[michaela]

But If the biological or mother father is still involved in their lives it makes it really complicated

[tsholofelomaruatona]

Well i hav a stepson...but biologically i dnt have a child..he is my joy, I luv him very much....I told myself dat not even 1 day will I eva call him my stepson....i knw very well down da line he may change but for now I will play da role as a mother and totally doing it from da goodness of my heart without expecting anything in return

[mikes]

I’ve had a step mom for well over 15 years. To this day I still can’t call her my mom. I don’t have a relationship with her. I don’t get good vibes when I’m around her.

[TheVANITYKILLJOY]

I always thought to my self that if one of my parents remarry, I wouldn't consider their new husband or wife, my step parent. I would consider them my mom or dad new husband or wife. and their kids they would just be "that guys" kids or "that lady's" kids . not my step-brother or sisters

[lt.columbo]

Given the odds for second and third marriages with kids...it is an ABSOLUTE MYSTERY as to why people do it...PEOPLE IS CRAZY.

[lyndsiemmiles]

My husband and I thought, studied and prayed hard before jumping into blending our families. We have been married about a year and a half. He brought 5 with him. I brought 6 with me and we just had number 12 six weeks ago.

It is hard. But worth it to raise some amazing kiddos.