step-parenting a teenage boy

by Teri
(Portland)

My step-son is 13. I've been around him since he was 6. In the last couple of years we've been clashing a little bit. Mostly trivial stuff. However, some things that are changing dramatically are his need to always sit next to his dad while watching tv and if I'm there he will sigh and make subtle gestures that he doesn't like it.

Other times he will step in front of me while walking down the street and push me aside so he can walk next to his dad. If we are planning a family event, he'll ask me if I'm going to attend. And today, I was in his room and I found a photograph of his family prior to me. It was folded in half so that his mom and his dad were pictured together, happy, smiling at him while he sits at his desk playing video games.

My reasoning says this is all normal, but what's bothering me is that he is becoming increasingly disinterested in me being there. I've been married to his father for 3 years now. I was not the cause for a breakup his my husband's first marriage. Please, is there any light at the end of the tunnel. What can I do to help turn this relationship around? thanks for listening, teri

Source: http://www.parenting-child-development.com/stepparenting-a-teenage-boy.html

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