Tips for a healthy blended family
- All brothers and sisters “fall out”, so don’t assume all family arguments are the result of living in a blended family.
- Beware of favoritism. Be fair. Don’t overcompensate by favoring your stepchildren. This is a common mistake, made with best intentions, in an attempt to avoid indulging your biological children.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate. Be sure to discuss everything. Never keep emotions bottled up or hold grudges.
- Make special arrangements. If some of the kids “just visit,” make sure they have a locked cupboard for their personal things. Bringing toothbrushes and other “standard fare” each time they come to your home makes them feel like a visitor, not a member of the blended family.
- Find support. Locate a step-parenting support organization in your community. You can learn how other blended families address some of the challenges of blended families.
- Spend time every day with your child. Try to spend at least one “quiet time” period with your child (or children) daily. Even in the best of blended families, children still need to enjoy some “alone time” with each parent.
Source: I do! Take Two
Read more…Guide to Step-parenting and Blended Families
Via…http://www.tipsandsteps.com/index.php?title=Tips_for_a_healthy_blended_family
blended family, blended family tips, stepparenting, stepparenting support