The Love and Logic Institute issued its weekly email newsletter with help for stepparents feeling the need to discipline stepchildren. The four tips flow from the Love and Logic consultant style of parenting (fully documented in the many resources available at and through the website).
Dr. Charles Fay writes (excerpt) that consultant parents and step-parents should:
Set limits with the purpose of taking good care of themselves-rather than bossing the kids around. . . .
Provide consequences with the purpose of taking good care of themselves-rather than getting even with the kids. . . .
Provide consultation services instead of issuing orders. . . .
Have a healthy and positive problem-solving attitude. . . .