An Adult Step-Child’s Understanding of Stepparenting I was a stepchild, I can tell you from first hand experience, that “step” relationships can be some of the most trying we face as social animals. Often times, children enter stepfamilies with a history of loss and change which is beyond their control. They may have endured a troubled, possible abusive marriage and or the painful death of a parent. In either case the family structure has been changed dramatically. In many cases, the will wonder if they are somehow to blame ....