Divorce all over again

Say you get married, you have children, and you get divorced.  Most people are going to be concerned about these children.  Most people understand that it is best for the children to continue to have a strong relationship with both parents.

Now say you get married to someone who already has children, and then get divorced.  What now?  They are not "your" children, so it doesn't much matter, does it?  Or does it?

In many cases, a step-parent becomes a real parent figure, sometimes the only father or mother that the child remembers.

Sometimes the former step-parent feels like a parent, and wishes to continue to see the children, but doesn't feel right continuing contact with the ex - after all it's not as though they had a child together.  Sometimes a new spouse might resent the continued contact with the ex's family.

Sometimes the former step doesn't haven't any interest at all in continuing to see a child who may think of them as a parent.

While we have made great strides as a society in addressing the needs of children whose parents have divorced, step-relationships are - dare I say it? - the forgotten step-children of divorce.