Step-parents have a difficult job to do. They have to strike a balance between being supportive of the kids and keeping their distance. Every relationship is different, of course, but it's usually better to meet the kid where they're at instead of forcing a certain dynamic onto them. This is especially true when their biological parent is deceased. Any gesture that makes it seem like you're trying to 'replace' them will not be met well, and you'll probably lose them forever. This is true when it comes to names as well. Names are an incredibly personal thing, and any effort to try to change them or take them away, especially when they have familial significance, won't be met well.
One woman didn't quite understand that, though, and drove a wedge between herself and her stepson in the process. But commenters were quick to jump in and set things straight. Read on for the story.
This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story