[killer_carlson]

i'll chime in.

My mom and my step-dad were together for many years before my step dad passed away. He was great to me and even my friends and extended family. When I look back now that i have kids of my own, he treated us well, offered advice when we asked, suggestions when we didn't, and made time for us. But one thing he never did was to discipline us. When we needed it, my mom was the one that did so (and eagerly I may add .... hahaha). But i'll say that it implicitly respected a boundary. And it worked. Really well. He was a great influence in my life and i'll always love him for it.

So those are my comments from a kid who was in that situation who is an adult now.

Good luck and hope it works out.