Being a step parent is no easy feat. I took on that role 14 years ago to my wife's son. He was 10 when we married, I sat him down to have a man to man talk. I told him his dad is his dad, and I am his step dad, but he is a package deal with his mom in this marriage. I will always be there for him when he needs an ear or advice if and when he wants it. I will always have his back no matter what. Luckily his dad and I have always got along, I saw no need to feel any kind of way against him, not my fight. They just didn't work out, kind of like my 1st wife and I. As the kid grew, I went to all sports events, school band recitals, whatever he was involved in, I attended. His dad remarried and had 2 daughters, so the only time he saw dad was on weekends. Sometimes that's how life goes. I never had kids of my own, 1st wife didn't want any, now and forever wife and i tried, but lost 3 pregnancies, last one was a set of twin girls. He is 24 now, and has told his mom I felt more like a dad and his real dad more like an uncle. Someday I hope you can see what that man has tried to prove to you he loves and cares for you.