16 and 18-year-old turn against Dad's new wife when she threatens to end the co-operative coparenting rhythm between their bioparents:

Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor

Oct 10, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Becoming a stepparent is a strange phenomenon. Stepping into a role that was previously filled by another, well-loved person can make anyone feel insecure about their ability to hold down the fort. Still, oftentimes, if stepparents treat their new family like their own, there's no problem. When kids come into the mix and exes have amicable relationships, that can fan the flames of apprehension.

A stepparent should always put the needs of their stepkids first, and as a child of a split household where my parents are still good friends, I can't imagine having competing parents. As an adult, it becomes obvious that our parents are more than just the superheroic figures of our adolescence, and moms, dads, and stepparents are just humans trying to figure out their own lives. I've been lucky enough to have parents and stepparents who are friendly with one another, cordially splitting time with my sister and me for holidays, birthdays, festivities, and family visits.

Unlike the woman in this next story, they understand that their parental relationship drama isn't worth sacrificing a good relationship with the kids, because at the end of the day, a bioparent will almost always choose what's best for their family—and that might not include the new wife.