Who on here doesn't have children?

[curtis]

And saying you will never know what it is like until you have a child of your own, is factual.

True but parents with step child could equally say -

you will never know what it is like until you have a step child, is factual.

and the rest is based on their opnion andhow they feel.

The issue is not that your wrong but you make it sound like your way is the only way that is right. The saying "its not what you say its how you say it" springs to mind.

[shaunbhoy]

It seems most posters with an opinion have their own kids or step kids, but not both.

I have both.......and the bond with your natural ones is stronger, but that need not mean that any blatant favouritism is shown. My older two sons were from my wife's previous marriage, and their father left them at a young age and before I met my wife.
He has always stayed entirely in the background and left me to get on with it, as he is petrified he might have to put his hand in his pocket. This has helped me enormously as they have only really had me there since they were 3 and 4 year old.
We have a brilliant bond that has grown up over the last 20+ years and I like to think that they understand what the role of a real father is as opposed to just that of the sperm applier.
I guess you would have to ask them if it has been a success or not.

[darmstadt]

Does he pay rent?

Not to me he doesn't although he does sometimes speak, such words of wisdom as "what's for dinner?" and "oi fatty" which leads me to believe that he might not be a lodger

[Gibbon]

It seems most posters with an opinion have their own kids or step kids, but not both.

formant will be in a good position in a year's time to tell us whether she can and does love them all the same.

FWIW, my hubby has always insisted that it's made no difference to him that the oldest isn't biologically his. Of course, he could be lying...

Ahem, did you just ignore my post?

[SupremeSpod]

Ahem, did you just ignore my post?

Wtfaya?

[BrilloPad]

Ahem, did you just ignore my post?

Who said that?

[Old Hack]

True but parents with step child could equally say -

and the rest is based on their opnion andhow they feel.

The issue is not that your wrong but you make it sound like your way is the only way that is right. The saying "its not what you say its how you say it" springs to mind.

I know it looks that way, but I can't see how it wouldn't be, honestly. I simply can't. I ahve looked at this from many angles, have spoken to others, spoken to one of my brothers who has both, and that's what I come out with.

I am not saying I am right, but that's how I feel and backed up by most people I have spoken to about it.

Interestingly, a good friend prefers his step kids to his daughter, but I think they're going through a pretty rough patch at the mo.

[mudskipper]

Ahem, did you just ignore my post?

It was 8 pages ago - you might have changed your mind since then!

[formant]

I hope you're getting married before bringing a child into the world.

No, more like 5 months after.

Why?

[formant]

Ahem, did you just ignore my post?

I remembered your post!

Was hoping for more people in that sort of situation to comment. But then this thread got long and I don't blame anyone who doesn't feel like following it anymore.