Blended families are uniquely different from the nuclear family unit
Blended Families are considered more complex, fragile families. Families like ours might start out feeling like a group of roommates uncertain if they even want to be friends, let alone family. Thankfully, God greatly loves every family. God plays no favorites. Despite our family dynamics, all families are able to instill wholesome family values into the lives of their children.
Author and speaker, Maxine Marsolini, knows from over forty years of experience that blended families aren’t always easy to live in. But with the right tools easily accessed in resources like: Raising Children in Blended Families, Blended Families and the Blended Families Workbook—these ready-made families can develop harmony with one another.
A happy ending depends on resolving our differences; by making smart choices
Move beyond being overwhelmed by the prevailing problems to a place of outcome thinking. Start by gaining understanding about the life you are now a part of. Yes, we differ from an entirely biological family structure, but we want a happy home life. Consider the bigger issues beneath the attitudes. It’s common for:
- Boys and girls to be swept up in a sudden whirlwind of anger, grief, newfound fears, competition, and detachment disorders.
- Children to be at greater risk of being left behind scholastically and emotionally.
- A parent often sides with their child when disagreements arise. It’s best to hear the stepchild’s, or spouse’s, side of the story with an objective ear.
- One bio parent might be alienating a child from the other bio parent. This traps the child in a life of divided loyalties.
- Different parenting styles to govern the home. Over time a melding needs to take place.
- Signs of additional conflict, not just at home, but also between homes.
- Past baggage spills out resulting in negative behaviors.
- Emotions and daily routines really are more complicated to manage: visitation schedules, chores, and money management.
- A rush to be one family, when in reality it could take three to five years to establish strong family ties.
- There might be a tendency to walk away. Don’t quit. Sixty percent of second marriages don’t hang in there long enough to get the job done.
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
God’s love focuses on loving one another despite our differences. Let’s look for common ground to build upon. Determine to be amazing.
