How to Make Friends With a Step-Son

Whether your step-son is 6 or 16, you have challenges to face when building a relationship with him. You can save everyone a lot of grief by making friends with him. As an adult, your example can make the difference between a step-son who rebels and causes problems for everyone in the family, or one who learns respect, responsibility and fairness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Use positive reinforcement with your step-son. Find out which candy he likes and use it to encourage him to do chores. Help him save for something he wants and contribute whenever he displays good behavior.
2. Give him the space he needs, particularly if he's a teenager. Make friends by showing you trust your step-son to do what he's supposed to do.
3. Make sure he spends time alone with your spouse. Suggest things they can do together.
4. Find ways to spend quality time alone with him. Take him somewhere you can both learn something new like a museum, the zoo or a kid-friendly educational event.
5. Support his interests. Go out of your way to help him realize talents with supplies, classes, activities and mentors.

Tips & Warnings

• The key to successful positive reinforcement is letting him know he's being rewarded for a good action.
• Make friends with your step-son by going out of your way to compliment him on his achievements.
• Avoid nagging. Instead, get creative with positive reinforcement techniques.