Need advice from Step Fathers/Fathers please

70greendart said

Well I did not see one thing on here and I will give you this. Avoiding saying NO in the first place with him. Avoid making something a command when a request or an option will work. See if you say you must get down and walk on your own then you are stuck with enforcing your command so he understands boundaries. So only make it a command when you have to. He will learn the difference. He doesn't like NO from you because you are new and different and he enjoys you.
So make sure you are not going off in the other direction just to show him who is boss or to set boundaries. Say no when it has to be no, yes when it can be yes, then share the rest of the times with them. Life is too precious to spend it making rules and saying no.

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Sorry, I must disagree. Sounds like Dr Spocks theory. He later realized his mistake and retracted most of his earlier advise. His concept reared a generation of seriously flawed people. Saying no is not being negative, certainly the parent should try to make sure the child understands the logic and reason why " no" is sometimes just how it is. No offense 70greendart. I have raised my own kids, and been involved with my many nieces and nephews, and I've taken this topic very serious. Teaching kids that "no " is occasionally the answer, trains them for their adult life. Kids NEED to hear "no" when appropriate to train them properly. Of course I agree that it should be done in a kind way. Life is too precious to spend it dealing with spoiled rotten kids that become rebellious teens and dysfunctional adults because they didn't get the memo that sometimes the answer is just "no".