When we blend families in this generation, there is an expectation of one parent to accept the other parent’s children and vice-versa. I don’t think that’s wrong in any way, but I believe we need to look deeper than a level of acceptance. There needs to be a mutual respect and preferably a bond between a child and the other parent. As a single father, I know how important it … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Introducing…The Co-Parenting Contract
Sometimes divorce, separation or break ups can be down right bitter. We are often times so focused on the hurt and pain that our significant other has caused, that we lose sight of the children and what's best for them. When cooler heads prevail and you can think more clearly, at some point, the two of you need to focus on the child(ren), their fragile state and how you can … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Why a Step Parent is a Bonus Parent
When I met my step son he was 10 years old, and my step daughter was 6 months old. I have to be honest, I was a bit nervous about dating a man with children. I didn't have any children of my own and in my own life I was not too fond of my mom’s husband. I wasn't coming from a total deficit though, as a teacher I had excellent training in child development and I never have any … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: 3 Ways to Help Step-Children Get Along
Growing up with a blended family had its share of challenges as well as blessings. Outside of the typical questions you have as the outside child, if you put your focus in the right place, you really can have the best of both worlds. I didn't appreciate as a child having these different sets of families who loved me and were available when I needed them. Instead of that … [Read more...]
Getting Re-Married? 3 Factors that Could Lead to Re-Divorce
Lamar and I are shooting our 5th documentary film and the topic is Blended Families. This topic is near and dear to our hearts because we have a blended family. I had two children from a previous relationship when Lamar and I met, and then we had two more kids after we got married. And what we’ve found out is that our family structure is not so un-common as 1/3 of all … [Read more...]
3 Things You Need To Know About Blended Family Problems
Believe it or not, life is real and not a fairytale. All over the world blended families are living happily and co-existing harmoniously. Ideally, we’d love to hear that everyone just “clicked’ immediately but I’m sure we all know or have been involved in some incidents that didn’t go so smoothly. Change can sometimes be a challenge but its possible. How can we make the … [Read more...]
Singles with Kids: Things to Think about Before Blending Your Family
One of the challenges we have as singles is how to deal with children in a relationship, whether those children are ours or those of our mates. It’s a delicate, sensitive issue for lots of parents, but one we have to address because our children deserve to see what healthy relationships look like. We have to be sensitive to our children’s needs and cautious about whom they are … [Read more...]
Accidental Friends – Our Blended Family Story
I have this friend and I want to tell you about her. She is so super cool. I've known her for about 15 years. We met in my home town in Indiana. She is very kind and always helpful. She is a hardworking, God fearing Christian woman with her own catering business in Indianapolis. She refers to my son as "our son" and I love her daughter. In fact her daughter has spent the … [Read more...]
Jada Pinkett-Smith Shares Her Thoughts On Women in Blended Families
From her Red Table Talks to defending her daughter's hair choices, Jada Pinkett-Smith has shown how important family is to her. In a recent Facebook post, she shared her thoughts on blended families. Pinkett-Smith draws from her own experience building a blended family with husband, Will Smith, who had a son, Trey, from his previous marriage to ex-wife, Sheree. The two now … [Read more...]
3 Ingredients for a Peaceful Blended Family
Have children from previous relationships? Wondering how to blend into one happy family? Here are some tips I found useful when I got married. I had a two year old son and my husband had no children, so he stepped into the role like a pro to help me raise my son. Excuse me, our son. Below are the three main requirements I’ve learned in the past 16 years that are essential for a … [Read more...]
The Thankless Job of Being a Step-Parent
Step-parents! I salute you....I know first-hand that it's not easy being a parent. So, imagine how difficult it must feel being a step parent in a lot of blended families. I'm not one, but I'm understanding more and more that most of these step-parenting roles take courage, understanding, and definitely love. I can never question my husband's love for me, because the way I see … [Read more...]
The Grinch (I Mean Mother-in-law) Who Stole Christmas
I hope that just because you're in a blended family that you never have to experience the Grinch during Christmas, AKA your mother-in-law. All mother-in-laws are not bad. I'm grateful to The Most High that I have a wonderful relationship with mine. But several of my friends, ummmm...not so much. Imagine this: Your mother-in-law walks in to your house on Christmas morning … [Read more...]
Being in a Blended Family: From a Child’s Perspective
If you're a biological parent in a blended family, you often wonder exactly what its like from the step-child's perspective. My son and I have a very close relationship and I'm always inquiring about his feelings on just about anything, especially when it comes to our family structure. If you recall, I wrote an article talking about my feelings and how I felt when it was … [Read more...]
My Husband Treats My Son Like a Step-child
For years now I've been feeling like my husband treats our son differently than he does the other kids, like a step-child. For all practical purposes, my son really is his step-son...my son is from a previous relationship and we now have two daughters together. I have, at times, criticized my husband for the way he speaks to my son. On numerous occasions, I've voiced that he … [Read more...]
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...]