Child discipline can be a major stress in stepfamilies.
Discipline problems often reflect feelings about the divorce.
The new parent needs to be clearly given authority to discipline the
other parent's child.
Both parents need to agree on the limits or rules for the children and how
they will be enforced.

Stepfamilies must go through a process to become a functioning family.
Because children have no choice about divorce and remarriage, they may be
angry or resistant about becoming a part of a new family.
Trust is broken through the process of divorce. Children, particularly
adolescents, need to learn to love and trust again.