Stepfamilies and blended families are the same thing. It just sounds better to say mixed. In a blended family, or adoptive family, one or both members of the couple have been married before. One or both have lost a spouse through divorce or death, and may have children from previous marriages. They fall in love and decide to remarry. One of the biggest mistakes a new couple makes is assuming that the second marriage will have the same problems as the first.
Our first exposure to stepfamilies has been poor. We had Cinderella and the evil stepmother and stepsister. How scary is that? Then we have the Brady Bunch who seemed to have had the perfect relationships. That’s not how it really happens.
Approximately one-third of all children in the United States will be part of a blended family before they turn eighteen. At first, the children may rebel against the new family, but eventually they will adjust. Be sure to let the kids know how much you love them and how you know it will work.
Remind parents that their children have already been through the trauma of divorce and have had the difficult job of trying to adjust to life with a single parent. It’s been a real adjustment for them and now you’re asking them to adjust again. This new relationship and family life will require a lot of patience, time, understanding, communication, alone time, love and a sense of humor can always make things easier.
Give the children as much time as they need (within reason) to adjust to the new adoptive family life. Communicate openly and Communicate openly and honestly. Make sure you spend time alone with your children and spend time with your stepchildren. Spending time with your stepchildren can also be helpful. It gives you the opportunity to meet them.
Make sure you spend time alone with your children and spend time with your stepchildren. Spending time with your stepchildren can also be helpful. It gives you the opportunity to meet them.