Need advice from Step Fathers/Fathers please

I'm a father and step father. First off, unless you've married the girl, you're just a boyfriend. Not trying to be mean, that's just the truth of it. If yall are serious, step up and do it right and marry her.

All the advice I have is this. Don't be their friend. That's the biggest mistake you can ever make. All you can do is be their father figure, unless you marry and adopt them at a later date. Even then, don't be their friend.

Parents make that mistake a lot. They think they're supposed to be their kids best friends. It just doesn't work. Parents are the governing force in the family. You make sure they are safe and provided for.

Are there times you can be friends? Sure, but trying to do that first and only that is a mistake IMO. Let the dung fly.