It is very important for your husband to support your rules with your stepson, or he will never listen to you. I have two stepson's so I can speak from experience. Now... I always had chores that my son and stepson's could help me with when it came to the dogs. Feeding, brushing etc. As long as the kids obeyed the "no picking up" rule then they were allowed to "help" me with the dogs. When I was not home, the kids were not allowed to interact with the dogs...period. That way I could always make sure they were safe. My kids are now older, the two older "stepsons" both have dogs of their own. My son still is at home, he is my "dog sitter" when I am out of town. It can be done...time and consistency work wonders.
__________________  Rosemarie, Levi and Lily "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" ~ Anonymous |