We found the following blended family statistics over at The Bonded Family.com 2,100 new blended families are formed EVERY DAY in America Over 65% of Americans are now a stepparent, a stepchild, a stepsibling, step-grandparent or touched directly by a stepfamily scenario By 2010, blended families/step-families will be the most common form of family in America 82% … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: A Second Generation Blended Family
For as long as I can remember, I've had three sets of grandparents. My mother's parents, and then my dad's dad (and his second wife) and my dad's mom (and her new husband). My grandparents divorced when my father was a child, and they both hooked up with their long-term partners shortly thereafter. My dad has taken his time to come to terms with this new arrangement, and … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: What If The Blending Comes From An Affair?
You may have heard the statistic that around 30 % of children live as part of a blended family. But here is another statistic you may not have heard very often: It is estimated that roughly 3% of children in the U.S. are born as the result of an extramarital affair. That percentage may not seem astounding on its own, but it amounts to more than 2 million children, meaning … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: A Cord is Stronger Than a Single Thread
Providing instruction and discipline in a blended family can be very difficult (and that's an understatement.) This is a major point of contention for many blended families. When we had Blended Families Week here on the site last year, it broke my heart to read the comments from numerous people that were experiencing turmoil in their relationships because they had vastly … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: The Step-Child, As An Adult
When I was first informed of the BMWK topic for the week (blended families) I immediately thought I would have nothing to contribute this week. Thinking neither my husband nor I had children prior to our dating. But then it hit me, and I don't know why it hadn't before:I am a product of a blended family. I have been someone's stepdaughter, half-sister and stepsister as long as … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: What I’ve Learned As A Stepparent
by Lamar Tyler BMWK family we hope that you've enjoyed Blended Families week here at BlackandMarriedWithKids.com. We know that this is a hot button topic that affects a lot of people. So we wanted to dedicate an entire week to the topic. Ronnie started the week with her thoughts and perspective so I wanted to close it out with mine. As you can see from the comments … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: Playing 2nd Fiddle To Another Man’s (or Woman’s) Child
By Eric Payne Those who follow my blog, MakesMeWannaHoller.com, know that I've got a 14 year old and a 4 year old and most days I'm up to my eyeballs with the two of them. Some days, my 4 year old girl shows me myself when I was a little boy growing up. Sometimes she does so with such accuracy, it's as if I'm looking into a mirror of my past. My son is a different story. I … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: You’re Not My Daddy!
by Aja Dorsey Jackson It all started with broccoli. One night a few years ago, when my now 10-year-old was about seven my husband, who is not my daughter's father, noticed at dinner that she was trying to avoid eating her broccoli by pushing it around on her plate (that "trick" never seems to die). "Eat your broccoli." He told her. She proceeded to nibble on the top … [Read more...]
Blended Families Week: I May Not Be Your Mama, But…
by Harriet Hairston Blended families have become quite the norm in modern day times. The Brady Bunch is no longer an exception to be gawked at during prime time television. These days, children are being raised with step-parents, half-siblings and if the parents play their cards right, one big, happy family! It is in light of that kind of dynamic that I dedicate this … [Read more...]
Confessions From a Blended Family: A Biological Mom’s Perspective
Divorce rates in America are about 49% for the 1st marriage, but goes up to 67% for the 2nd marriage and jumps up again for 3rd marriages. And I can image that the issues/complexities of dealing with a blended family contributes to the divorce rates of many remarriages. Blending families is not easy! You are bringing together two families that have different customs and … [Read more...]
You Ain’t My Mammy!!! 3 Ways to Nurture a Blended Family
Harpo shouts "You ain't my mammy!!! " and follows it by throwing a rock at Celie's head. This was Celie's first introduction to her step kids in the movie ,The Color Purple. (check out the movie clip below about six minutes and 50 seconds in.) At first when I saw Ms. Celie get hit by that rock, I was shocked. And this is going to sound awful, keep in mind I was young … [Read more...]