My boyfriend & I each have our own children, both girls & both aged 7, each was from a previous marriage. We have been dating for 2 years and his daughter was introduced to my daughter and I about 9 mnths ago. Both children get on ok, as long as my boyfriends child is getting her own way, the minute she isn't she snaps at my daughter who is timid. I check his child but he says I must back off as they need to sort their differences out themselves. I am not in agreement with this as my child will not stand up for herself. What can I do to help my child stick up for herself? I love my boyfriend but the situation with his child always reprimanding my child when things aren't going her way are unbearable, she is also nasty to my child when the adults aren't in earshot. Instinctively I want to protect my child but end up snapping at his child and this makes him angry. Now it looks as if i am picking on his child, but someone has to say something, if not she will walk over everyone, as an adult surely I don't have to walk on eggshells in fear of upsetting him when I check his child? Do children at this age have the capabilities to sort problems out between themselves or should there be adult intervention?