Just a quick snapshot of my delimma.... I have been dating someone for a little over a year. I have 2 daughters 14 and 6. They can be great girls but, dealing with divorce and a new person has not been easy for them. The ex does not see them much due to seasonal work. My relationship is wonderful. He is a great person however, he has never been married nor does he have children of his own. He was raised very strict and the whining and disrespect is something he has a hard time with. We have not spent much time as a family unit so things are becoming stagnent. We went camping and it was not a terrific experience. I don't want to lose him because he would be a great asset to my family. I am a package deal but, sometimes I feel caught between the two. HELP!! TraceyB.

He would be a great assest in what way? What do you mean exactly? If you say that you are a package deal (which you are) and he is an asset to your family you need to ask yourself how. Do you see this man as a financial figure, companion to you, father figure? What role does he play out with your daughters? If he sees them whining and being disrespectful, is he allowed to correct that? I would need more info to really have an opinion on this....sorry.