I do not think it is realistic if her hu*****and does not want to sponsor his step son for the GC application. A green card holder can nly sponsor his/her son whose age is under 21 and the son have to wait for at least 5 years for the priority date to be current. Her son is 18 now and 5 years later will 23 (older than 21), so he will be not qualified for the GC under her mother's sponsor.
If her hu*****and (U.S. citizen) wants to be the sponsor for his step son, eveything will be OK because his step son's priority date will be current.