When meeting his family for the first time, it may not just be the future parents-in-law you have to worry about.

Geraldine, a 28-year-old financial consultant, found this out for herself when she dated Craig for the first time. Sharing her story with Her World, she recalled returning to his place after dinner for drinks, and when things started to get a little more intimate, a child's wail came from the bedroom.

It was Craig's three-year-old son.

Meet your date's pint-sized dynamite in the guise of a precocious preschooler or terrible teen.

Subsequent dates with Craig was an affair for three. They would bring his son Stevie in-line skating at East Coast Park or to picnics in the Botanic Gardens. But the boy did not warm up to Geraldine as his maternal replacement.

After the couple married in 2004, Geraldine became responsible for the boy's upbringing. She was not resentful about having instant children, but could not get over the fact that Stevie was not really hers. Meanwhile, Craig overcompensates for the divorce and his constant absence by indulging all of Stevies whims and fancies.

She said: "Stevie learnt the power of manipulation at an early age. When he complains about me, Craig actually gives him the benefit of the doubt!"

Relationship coach Kloudiia Tay advised: "The couple should first resolve any disagreements between themselves as parents, before tackling any issues directly concerning the stepchild."

She suggests that Geraldine should initiate an open discussion with Craig about the child as "there is an apparent lack of trust in the relationship, and Craig must also learn to work out the guilt issues between the child and learn to take a fairer stand between his new wife and son."

Counsellor Chong Cheh Hoon believes that Geraldine should focus on building a trusted relationship with Stevie by being a reliable caregiver. She should never insist that he calls her "Mummy".

The couple should also set aside time for themselves in order to reinforce their marriage. Cheh Hoon observes it is common for blended families to compete for the spouse's or parent's attention.

She said: "Geraldine should avoid fighting with Stevie for attention so the  boy will not be threatened by his stepmother and will be more accepting of her. In time, her relationship with Stevie will improve and Craig will gradually trust her with his child."

Check back here for the third instalment of "Meeting his best female friend".

For more details, get your copy of Her World's April 2008 issue at all newsstands now.