When a single woman with children marries a single man with children, this union should be viewed as more than the union of husband and wife—it is the joining of two different cultures. Each family is a tribe unto itself and if this union is to work, each step parent must respect the others' family dynamics. Family dynamics can be as different as night and day. This is why you must come to grips with the idea that you have two different tribes living in your house.

So how does this work in a blended family? Before I answer that, take this first bit of step parenting advice and appreciate the power of the birth family. Recognize that your spouse is probably always going to be closer to his children than yours. Know that if you constantly criticize your spouse's children, you are creating the beginning of the end. Blood loyalties are usually stronger than marital ties. Although this may change over time—and one day, you may feel as close to your step children as your own—the process takes time and experience and only occurs when a supportive, loving environment has been created.

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The next important bit of step parenting advice is to respect your spouse's family dynamics. For instance, you may have a rigid children-do-not-talk-back rule in your family, while your spouse may be willing to listen to what his children have to say and open to negotiation. If you try to impose your rules on your step children, especially when they are rules they did not grow up with, they will rebel. When this happens, they may use their father's love for them to drive a wedge between you. It happens subtly at first and you may not notice what is happening, until it is too late. Although you are the adult and you have more power, never underestimate the power of a child. Where possible, try to compromise parenting styles, as long as you both agree to help each other act from this compromise.

If a situation escalates, allow your spouse to discipline his own children, while you attend to yours. When he is disciplining his children, refrain from joining in or agreeing through words or body language. Be a silent bystander, so the child won't feel that the adults are ganging up on him.

Sometimes, children of divorce have been enabled by the parents because unconsciously, they feel guilty. If you have a child or children in your home who seem to be constantly angry and lash out at others, consider a learn-at-home behavioral program that has shown to help defiant kids transform their behavior.

The next piece of step parenting advice may seem odd to you—expect your step children to hate you. When I say "expect," I don't mean that you should turn expectations into reality, but that you must understand that children of divorce usually want nothing more than their birth parents to get back together. Regardless of how you met your spouse, on some level, your step children may hate you and blame you for her parents being apart.

The next piece of step parenting advice may seem odd to you—expect your step child to hate you.

The child may also fear that you are trying to replace her mother. Assure her that you are not. Realize that in the child's eyes, you may never be considered as more than an aunt. Accept this role graciously. If your step children does like you, she may also feel conflicted. She may feel that expressing love toward you is tantamount to betraying her mother.