You can't force love, but you can have a functional family: How to be a good stepparent

I have had stepparents, but I have never thought in depth about what it takes to be a good stepparent. It's such an overlooked but important job: beginning a new family while blending into an existing one and then keeping it intact. 

After a recent, emotional trip to Florida to see my father and half siblings, I started thinking about the dynamics of blended families. Even as an adult, having a stepparent can really have an impact on family life. And even for stepparents with good intentions, the role is bound to be challenging.