I don't know about you, but when I hear a child call an adult by their first name, you may as well be scraping the chalkboard with your fingernails. OUCH! So, in a step-child/parent situation to be fair to all parties involved, what should the kids call the step-parents? This is quite a sticky situation with so many different, yet valid answers. However, one solution never fits … [Read more...]
Blended Families
Blended Families Week: 3 Reasons Why I’m Adopting My Son
My wife and I have the same last name. That was the catalyst for our meeting. Twelve fateful years ago I was at an event she was managing. She overhead me being introduced and barged her way into the conversation to find out if we were related. I knew we weren't. And my life changed forever. One of the first things she told me was that she had a five year-old. I looked at … [Read more...]
What Are the Blessings in Your Blended Family?
I can honestly say, for just about my whole life, I have been a member of a blended family. I hated being a step-child as a youngster and couldn't fathom why my parents were unable to make things work. As an adult, I now know that relationships aren't as cut and dry as I once thought. There is a great deal of work that goes into any successful relationship. My parents were … [Read more...]
5 Things I Wish I Had Known Prior to Blending My Family
In today's age, there are a lot of divorcees finding love again and people are choosing to place their desires for a successful career before marriage. Naturally, the prevalence of blended families is becoming increasingly popular. If you are considering blending your family, ask yourself if you have taken the necessary steps to ensure that everyone in the family … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: 5 Tips to Help You Transition into a Blended Family
by Carletta Henderson-Youngs Change and transition are common in blended families. Every family member has to find a way to adjust to new roles, different expectations, and greater challenges. Often times it is easy to focus on adult matters, although children in blended families are equally affected. To make transitions easier and to strengthen the family bond, consider … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Dos and Don’ts to Parenting With Your Child’s Other Parents
My mother and my stepmother, whom my dad remarried when I was a teenager, call each other "wife-in-laws." Growing up, my father lived in a different state, so my stepmom would come into town without him. My mom, my stepmom, my siblings, and I would often go out to the mall or to eat, etc. I took for granted the fact that my mother and stepmother had a good relationship. I … [Read more...]
Still Standing: The Key Ingredient to Blending a Family is LOVE
James and Carletta Youngs have been married for more than 10 years now. When they met, Carletta was a single mom with 2 daughters and James was the non-custodial parent of two kids (a son and a daughter.) They fell in love, got married, and quickly found out that blending a family was going to be more difficult than they thought. There were emotional impacts for everyone … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: How to Survive and Thrive in A Blended Family When Your Kids Live in Two Households
And so it happens that Mr. or Mrs. Right finds you, slipper in hand, and you both vow your love to each other for eternity to live in Blendedville. But on the way to Blendedville, you must first stop to pick up two, little adorable travelers that will forever be a part of your journey. What becomes immediately clear is that, although you are certain about your love for each … [Read more...]
Travel Tuesday: Vacations for Blended Families!
It's "˜Blended Family' week here at BMWK and we have a few (well just two for now"...LOL) ideas for vacations that are sure to be great family fun and create lasting memories for any blended family. When planning a vacation for a blended family you have to consider the likes and dislikes of every family member and of course your budget. Before you hold that … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: 6 Blended Family Twitter Accounts that You Need to Follow Now!
With divorce rates and out-of-wedlock birthrates being so high, most Americans today will find themselves in some type of step/blended family situation. People who marry a person that already has children are often blind-sided by the difficulties and challenges of blended family life. And they often find themselves desperately looking for help or a way out. The bad news is … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: A Great Way to Begin a Blended Family
This summer I had the great pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding ceremony for an extended family member. The couple was adorable and the event was amazing. Everything you typically see during a wedding was all in place; the beautiful flower girl (my daughter), the wedding party, the flowers and the Pastor. I was all prepared to witness what I normally do, the couples … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Diary of An Older Stepchild
For the first few years after my father's death in 2002, the idea of my mother dating someone else repulsed me. In my 12-year-old mind, her obligation was to my father, even after his death and any potential suitors were put through a mental obstacle course. Flash forward to July 2007, I was 17 years old and my mom casually brings up a man that she had been seeing for a little … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Make Your Blended Family Work
Many cringe at the idea of marrying, let alone dating, someone who has children from a previous relationship. But blended families aren't as bad as they may seem. Rev Run and his wife, Justine, pulled it off and so did Steve Harvey and his wife. But for all of you who still have your doubts or want some pointers on how to make your blended family work, check out the list of … [Read more...]
How I Overcame The Blended Family Blues
by Sheree Adams I never knew it would be this hard blending a family. I'm raising a tween-age son from a previous relationship. My husband and I have two young daughters. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done. My son adores his [biological] father, almost idolizing him. They have a very strong and close relationship. I'm so thankful for that. My husband has always … [Read more...]
3 Must-Have Conversations Before You Start a Blended Family
Earlier this week I wrote a post titled 4 Must-Have Conversations Before You Get Married. It's been very well received with lots of comments, views and social shares on sites like Facebook but there was one comment that moved me the most. A reader named "Catehess" mentioned that additional conversations were necessary in blended family situations. That comment sparked my idea … [Read more...]