Man and woman relationships alone are difficult. When you add his kids, her kids, his ex, her ex and the in-laws, most people cannot handle the pressure. Step-families require more effort and understanding because of more people involved, and this often includes young ones who didn't ask to be put into the situation to begin with. The manner in which you approach the role of parent or step parent and the attitude you put forth will differ from those around you. You must pay particular attention to your actions so as to not alienate yourself from your partner or the children. Things to take into consideration when blending a family are: finances, living arrangements, holidays, grandparent responsibilities, and legal ramifications. These are just a sample of the items we will cover. Not everyone is willing to take on this responsibility, but you have made the decision to do so. I hope you will learn from the information contained herein to make the transition easy for everyone involved. This may sound difficult and you may already want to give up. Don't give up I can assure you things will be great