Research shows that stepfamilies go through stages of development.
In the meantime, the children are fantasizing about getting rid of their stepparents and stepsiblings. They want to live with their single parent again, or want their parents to get back together. As the family moves through this first stage, the couple realizes that instant love isn't going to happen, and the children are going to act out as they feel resentment and jealousy. But, no one talks about these feelings. To move to the next stage of development, family members must talk about their feelings and begin to solve their problems so the needs of all the family members can be met.