[melsmom709]

My boyfriend and I dated for about a year when he asked me to move in with him. Our relationship was complicated because it began before the relationship with his ex was officially over. It was further complicated by the fact that I have dual custody of my 3 year old daughter and he has dual custody of his 16 year old daughter.

The two girls get along as well as a toddler and teenager can. On-the-other-hand she and I barely have a relationship at all. With her being old enough to understand what happened between her mother and father, complicated by the fact that she and her mother have always had more of a "best friends" relationship than that of a mother & daughter - they are incredibly close, on top of the fact that she is a normal emotionally unstable teenage girl, she and I being together has always been awkward. She's always been polite, but for the most part we avoid each other. Another problem is the fact that I am by nature very, very shy.

She seems like a cool kid, that I would like to get to know and have more of a relationship with than I do, but I'm not sure how to go about it or if I should even try? Any advice?

[pluckyflamingo]

I was in the same situation, only flipped it was my step father and I. With due time we were able to have a great relationship, however you can't rush it. Little by little go on on trips maybe to the movies, shopping, or just depending what type of person she is something like hiking, etc. Don't worry about being shy because overall she is feeling the same way. Just be brave and go do something with her just the two of you. That way you have an opportunity to just carry on a conversation with her. Little by little the awkardness drifts away.