Step-parents have a difficult job to do . They have to strike a balance between being supportive of the kids and keeping their distance. Every relationship is different, of course, but it's usually better to meet the kid where they're at instead of forcing a certain dynamic onto them. This is especially true when their biological parent is deceased. Any gesture that makes it seem like you're trying to ‘replace’ them will not be met well, and you'll probably lose them forever. This is true when…

"My entire life I’ve always been the outsider and they made sure I knew that, harshly. It was worse whenever I succeeded in life."

Hmmm

Too scary

Talk about crunchy

Hard to be both a beggar and a chooser

Different strokes...

What else could she possibly need?

Creepy

Is that unreasonable?

Solution: close your window

What could go wrong?

Are you a landlord or a parent?

She's not his real mom

Talk about a wicked step-mother

If your kid wears TJ Max, she doesn't deserve dignity