Saturday, December 10, 2016

Blended Families


A blended family is when two separate families unite into one. Let's say that a father of three children and a mother of two have divorced their spouses. These two meet and begin dating. Eventually they get married and their families come together under one roof. This is one example of a blended families. It takes great effort, compromising, trial and error and dedication to make this transition run smoothly.

There are some risks that can make this marriage a bit more challenging than others. For example, the mother and fathers' ex spouses could still be involved in the children's' lives. This could mean that the children are spending time in two different households. This could also mean two different sets of rules and boundaries. Children may be hearing negative things from the other parent as well that could cause tension and resentment when they return.

Maybe the father is the "Disneyland dad" where he comes around every once in awhile and takes the kids to do something super fun. He doesn't have to be there for discipline, rule enforcement, homework, etc. Parents may also fight to be the favorite, causing tension between the child and the other parent. It's also important to recognize that many children blame themselves for their parents' divorce. This can cause problems both now and in the future. The key to blending  a family is to create a new family system that is tailored fit for you. What works for you may not work for someone else.

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