Stepsibling jealousy can be subtle, volatile and destructive, but detecting it isn’t difficult if you know what to look for.
Blended Family
Do your kids feel overlooked? Try these simple ways to give them one-on-one attention.
Managing finances in a blended family is complicated because of the interconnected relationships. Some of the traditionally accepted advice may not work, and new strategies are often necessary.
Bonding as a blended family means earning one another’s trust. One family learned that the process is surprisingly similar to bonding with a tiny pet marsupial.
Parents who are in a second marriage often have to make difficult choices. But they can’t afford to let their fear of what an ex might do overrun their commitment to their current marriage.
Your stepchildren need you to model healthy affection with your spouse in front of them, no matter what they say.
Most remarried couples can beat the odds of divorce and build a successful blended family if they know how to overcome the unique barriers to marital intimacy in a blended family.
Tips for blending stepfamilies.
Be intentional when blending families to smooth the process.
There is value in regularly scheduled time with your family.
It’s not as easy as you think. Get solid tips for merging stepfamilies.
You can encourage stepsiblings to bond through shared experiences.
When it comes to showing affection, let your stepchild set the pace.
Sometimes you have to start by doing what’s right and good by your stepkids (even when you don’t initially like them).
Patience helped one man earn a place in his stepdaughter’s heart.
Suddenly, I was the single father of a 4-year-old Disney princess and a little boy who had just learned to walk.
Many experts say it takes five years or more for a blended family to begin to feel cohesive. There’s no way to force a family to bond, but with faith and persistent effort, families can grow closer.
Kids in blended families have circumstances that make life more stressful for them. As parents and stepparents, making ourselves aware of their perspective is one of the most loving things we can do.
Imagine you’re abruptly uprooted after being totally immersed in another culture. Could it be that this is similar to how our children feel when they live in two homes?
Intentional decisions you make to keep marriage a priority in your blended family.