We're excited to announce that we're having a Blended Family Boot Camp here in Atlanta, GA on November 12th. This is the first time that we are doing an event specifically for Stepfamilies and we're excited! And its' about time! As we share often, Lamar and I have a blended family which is why we are so passionate about making sure that families just like ours have the … [Read more...]
Blended Families
Should Stepparents Post Pictures of Their Stepkids on Social Media?
I was surfing through Instagram when I discovered this: a picture of Russell Wilson and his stepson baby Future. https://www.instagram.com/p/BKmAjd6hZ4q/?taken-by=dangerusswilson Cute, I immediately thought, the little man is growing up. But then I started scrolling through the post's comments. And I can't say I was surprised that some people would hate on the picture (as … [Read more...]
My Trials as a Distant and Overwhelmed Stepmom; and What Changed It All
The day God revealed to me his plans for my stepmom journey was the day my life took a much-needed turn! I remember standing in my light blue dining room and staring out the window with tears rolling down my face as I told God… "I am so tired." I was tired of feeling like I wasn’t being the best mom to my biological children. I was tired of the pressure to be mommy to my … [Read more...]
We Just Released a New Movie! Blended: The Unspoken Truth About Stepfamilies
BMWK family, we feel that blended families are one of the biggest issues facing marriages today, but no one is talking about it, until now. We just released the official trailer and pre-sale for our newest film, Blended: The Unspoken Truth About Stepfamilies and we need for you to take a few minutes to watch it. There are so many families that are hurting with stepfamily … [Read more...]
5 Things to Start Your New Stepfamily Off on the Right Track
I am the poster child for blended families. By the age of 13 both of my parents had remarried, causing me to go from being the only child to having three brothers and three sisters. My life dramatically changed, and it took awhile for me to catch up. I've witnessed the good, bad and ugly of blended families. In retrospect, we were all just winging it because there isn't a … [Read more...]
How 3 Mothers Impacted My Life; Lessons from a Blended Family
My mother and father divorced after 15 years of marriage when I was 6. They met in Thailand early in his ARMY career, fell in love and he brought her back to his small Texas hometown in the United States. She spoke no English. They had my older brother shortly after arriving and had me six years later. Six years after that, they divorced and my brother and I chose to live … [Read more...]
So You Have a New Stepfamily, 4 Things You Should Not Expect Right Away
I have to be extremely honest. I didn't know what to expect when bringing together a blended family. Blending different factions (especially when there are so many differences between the family members) is no easy feat. As husband and wife, you are each raised differently; as well, you have raised your children differently. Expectations around things like homework and … [Read more...]
The 4 Greatest Lessons I Learned Growing Up in a Blended Family
I love that BMWK has dedicated an entire month to blended families. According to smart stepfamilies.com, 40 percent of married couples with children are actually blended families. Dedicating a week to discuss it just makes sense. I personally don't know life outside of a blended family. My parents ended their relationship very early, and my dad married and began a new family. … [Read more...]
Actress’s Husband Takes Her Last Name, Would You Do This in Your Marriage?
Actress Zoe Saldana has been married to Marco Saldana (formely Marco Perego) after secretly marrying over two years ago. Marco decided to take Zoe's last name (even though she wasn't totally for it) because he says they are equals. She shares in the July 2015 issue of InStyle that she tried to talk him out of it: I told him, 'If you use my name, you're going to be emasculated … [Read more...]
10 Conversations Stepfamilies Must Have About Finances Sooner than Later
By Janice R. Love Managing money in traditional families can be challenging, but in Stepfamilies financial matters are magnified and even more complicated. For instance, when my husband and I first became a stepfamily, I was receiving child support from my ex, and my husband was paying child support and alimony to his ex-wife. Now that are children are grown and two are … [Read more...]
Our Best Vacation Ever: 3 Ways Disney Brought My Broken Family Back Together Again
Last month, I was invited to Walt Disney World (along with 2 other mothers.) We were there to create a video where we would share our most memorable family experiences/vacations at Walt Disney World. And the videos that we made will be displayed on ESSENCE.com's newest editorial destination, Mommy Den. Launched in March of 2015, Mommy Den is ESSENCE.com’s newest editorial … [Read more...]
13 Children by 4 Different Women: 6 Lessons from the First Blended Family
As a Pastor and marriage coach dealing primarily with engaged couples I often relate the marriages and relationship scenarios of the Bible to what modern families face. Culturally there are major differences, however many couples find comfort in realizing that much of what they experience today, couples have been wrestling with since the beginning of time. As blended … [Read more...]
[Internet Teaser] Blended: The Unspoken Truth About Stepfamilies
BMWK family we're set to release two new films before the end of 2014 and we can't wait for you to see them. Since this is Blended Families Week here on BMWK we thought it would be the perfect time to debut the first internet teaser for our upcoming film that deals with blended families. We feel that blended families are the biggest issue facing marriages today, but no one … [Read more...]
How Do You Answer Your Child’s Questions About Your Blended Family?
One day recently I picked up my 14-year-old daughter from her grandmother’s house with my 5-year-old son in tow. As we waited for my daughter, my son wandered into another room and returned holding something behind his back, a look of horror plastered across his face. “Mom!” he said, “ What in the world is this!” He pulled a photo from behind his back. It was a picture of me … [Read more...]
Blend Family Week: 3 Phrases to Never Say to a Blended Family
I grew up in a blended family due to my parents marrying one another after previous marriages, then having me. They both had children from their previous marriage, which one, my older brother, lived with us. My older brother and I are literally night and day. He is 6’4, 250 lbs, and I am 5’7 140 lbs. It was very evident when you saw us together that we weren’t full blood … [Read more...]