Thank you kaliope. You've made me feel better. I have known kids who have step parents that love them greatly, so that's definitely true. I've even met at least one person who took on their partner's kids when they passed on. It sounds very sweet. I suppose it's different for each family. About my Dad... Hmmm, that could be very true. I don't know for sure, but I do know my mom was much like the women you described.

I can understand that there may be a lot of uncomfortableness at first with parents new partners and the kids, but that doesn't mean it can't turn into a healthy relationship or at least a nonaggressive relationship at first. I know some kids turn WAY against the new person their parent is dating, so I can also understand if the new boyfriend/girlfriend is unhappy at first with the kids. But, they are children, and not adults. I think that a good person does at least try to be understanding. Also, my Dad loved me a lot since I was born. If the women were jealous, could it be because not only my Dad spent a decent amount of time with me, but also because they may have not received that sort of love from their parents as well? I may be thinking too much into this, though.