Family

I have never liked the word step when referring to blended families. Labels is one of the reasons I believe that there are so many issues in blended families. Webster defines a family as a group of people living under one roof or having common characteristics. My first point is that ALL families have differences and ALL families will have disagreements. But why in blended families is this such an issue? Unfortunately sometimes being in a blended family allows people to turn on and off the word family. Yeah she's my mom when she is doing what I want and everything for me but the moment I get pissed she is my stepmom or not my "Real" mom.  Yeah I like him and he is real cool but when it comes to discipline, he's not your father. Yeah we can be cool when we come together to pay for things with the children, plan birthdays, you can babysit and even do my daughter's hair but the moment someone ask if you are my kids mother, you are QUICK to point out that you are the "Real" mom! Does blood make you the "Real" parent? A parent or being in a family is a full time job 24/7, no matter what type of family you are in. What way do you need to change? What do you turn on and off regarding your blended family and why?