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One of the most fun ways for stepparents to build positive bonds with stepchildren is to play with them.

Let stepchildren decide how to have fun together and dictate the pace of playing together.

Effective stepparents find ways to have one-on-one fun with stepchildren.

The first “step” for stepparents is to build positive bonds with stepchildren. They can accomplish this in many ways, but perhaps the most enjoyable way is to have fun with stepchildren. You might think of this as playing with stepchildren.

Researchers have examined different ways that stepparents bond with their stepchildren through play. The good news is that bonding may happen when doing many things while having fun together. The best activities, of course, are things that both the stepparent and stepchild enjoy. These activities can be anything—video games, sports, playing “make-believe” with children’s toys, putting together puzzles, board games—and on and........

© Psychology Today