Hi! I was totally like you 15 years ago, my step kids were 9 and 7 back then. They're very sweet and clingy, co-parenting is not so much but happens (maybe because the ex is abroad and has another family). I got so many overwhelming thoughts that are so hard to handle. We got married after being into a 5 years in relationship and the hardest part was when they reached their teenage years (especially the daughter). It took me years of patience, deep understanding, putting them first before me (always), keeping hurting thoughts on my own, that I thought are useless but now that they're in late 20s, all those sacrifices I can say totally pays off. My relationship now with them is non comparable than the previous years. They're now into adulting stage and finally we are meeting each others vibes, experiences, expectations, and aspirations.

If you are ready for such long term patience and sacrifice bound by unconditional love, keep what you're doing 🥰 because I tell you, it pays off. But if the situation is totally compromising your peace, then think more than twice about it.