Stepfamilies have been saddled with a less than flattering image. In
classic fairy tales such as 'Cinderella' and 'Snow White', we have been
presented with wicked stepmothers and unpleasant stepsisters. The
stepfamilies that feature prominently in television soap operas are
usually characterised by arguments, fist fights and family breakdown.
Perhaps this is why, in North America, the term 'blended family'
instead of 'stepfamily' is gaining currency.

In many households, it can be quite a challenge figuring out who's
in charge of which chores and which responsibilities. This is
especially true for blended families.

If not handled properly, favoritism (or perceived favoritism) can rear its ugly
head in the chore realm. And the last thing parents want to hear from their kids
is that their new siblings are getting "special treatment" while they do all the
work.

To avoid the Cinderella syndrome that often accompanies the process of assigning
chores and responsibilities for blended families, it helps to keep a few basics
in mind —basics about chores and basics about your kids.

Years ago, "The Brady Bunch" and "Eight is Enough"
were the television versions of divorced and blended families. I remember
daydreaming about how wonderful and cozy their lives appeared, as step-children
and step-parents worked together to create a happy family. Although they
had their trials and tribulations, the programs always ended "happily
ever after". Unfortunately, that was television. In the "real
world", today's statistics indicate that the United States has the
highest divorce rate in the world. Half of all mar-riages end in divorce,
as do two-thirds of all second marriages. This means that over one million
children are affected by divorce annually.