Merging two families is difficult for obvious reasons: they are different and it’s hard to mesh to things that are different into one functioning unit. There are differences in parenting styles, discipline techniques, overall lifestyle, etc. These differences often become even more pronounced when the two families move in together and begin attempts to “blend.” When this occurs, it can be a major source of frustration for the children involved.
What are Some Common Stepfamily Issues that Should be Top Priority?
Unfairness: Make it a priority to have some unity regarding household living. Discuss things like rules, chores, discipline, allowance, etc. so that everyone is on the same page and the basics are clear and understood. If you are …show more content…
In other blended families the age dilemma is more of a problem related to the new stepparent in situations when the new “parent” is only a few years older than the eldest child. Don’t ignore these situations. Address them immediately and carefully.
Parental Inexperience: In some blended families, one parent may be entirely new to the role. They may have no experience in the various stages that children go through, etc.
Changes to Family Relationships: When both parents remarry after divorce to partners that have existing families it can result in children that find themselves in different roles in two different blended families very suddenly. For instance, a child could be the eldest in one stepfamily, but the youngest in the other stepfamily. Or in some other situations the issue becomes a loss of uniqueness as being the only boy or girl suddenly disappears with the blending of a family with other boys/girls.
Difficulty Accepting a New Parent: In some instances children will have a particularly difficult time accepting a new parent. It could be that this is brought on because they have simply spent a lot of time in a one-parent family or the difficulty may stem from them holding out hope that their parents will
What are Some Common Stepfamily Issues that Should be Top Priority?
Unfairness: Make it a priority to have some unity regarding household living. Discuss things like rules, chores, discipline, allowance, etc. so that everyone is on the same page and the basics are clear and understood. If you are …show more content…
In other blended families the age dilemma is more of a problem related to the new stepparent in situations when the new “parent” is only a few years older than the eldest child. Don’t ignore these situations. Address them immediately and carefully.
Parental Inexperience: In some blended families, one parent may be entirely new to the role. They may have no experience in the various stages that children go through, etc.
Changes to Family Relationships: When both parents remarry after divorce to partners that have existing families it can result in children that find themselves in different roles in two different blended families very suddenly. For instance, a child could be the eldest in one stepfamily, but the youngest in the other stepfamily. Or in some other situations the issue becomes a loss of uniqueness as being the only boy or girl suddenly disappears with the blending of a family with other boys/girls.
Difficulty Accepting a New Parent: In some instances children will have a particularly difficult time accepting a new parent. It could be that this is brought on because they have simply spent a lot of time in a one-parent family or the difficulty may stem from them holding out hope that their parents will