Spending time with family during the holiday season is really important, especially for kids who have divorced parents. Though step-parents have the potential to be great parental figures for children, it all depends on how they show respect for the kids. If a step-parent tries to force the child's hand, demand respect but not give it back, and attempt to replace their biological parent, things might get ugly.
Age doesn't matter when it comes to respect. The stepmother in this story dishes it out, but can't take it when her 17-year-old stepson refuses to listen to her rules regarding him and his sister visiting their birth mom for the holidays. The children's grandparents started berating their stepmom when she kept insisting that it was up to her whether the children got to see their birth mother and the son specifically was not having it. This results in a heated family feud, where the son stands his ground and demands respect despite his age.