After parents divorce in Arizona, there might come a time when one or both parents will have significant others that they introduce to the children. As those new relationships develop, they might become a blended family consisting of a parent, stepparent and stepsiblings. This is a delicate situation that is usually accompanied by challenges and concerns. However, parents can approach it with thoughtfulness and patience to blend their families successfully and continue to raise happy, well-adjusted children.
The challenges of blending a family
Creating a new blended family after divorce takes time, as all the members will need to process the situation. The members of the family might face several challenges during the process, including:
- Helping children deal with their parents’ divorces
- Encouraging the relationship and friendship between stepchildren
- Figuring out the different roles that parents and stepparents will play in the children’s lives
- Learning to set healthy boundaries regarding discipline and other family concerns
- Establishing positive relationships between the stepparents and the co-parents
Working towards success
Even if it might seem difficult, you can overcome the challenges you might face when attempting to blend your family with your new significant other’s family. Some of the things that might help you succeed in this important endeavor include:
- Setting clear rules about each person parenting their bio-children and understanding that your parenting styles might differ
- Being supportive of your new partner’s decisions, even when you disagree, when it comes to their bio-children
- Making sure each of you spends time alone with your bio-children
- Creating space and time for new traditions that belong to the blended family
- Being respectful and supportive of the stepchildren’s relationship with their other parent
- Being flexible about schedules and the needs of the children
There might be situations that become overwhelming as you blend your families. In those cases, you should feel comfortable seeking professional help to support you through the process. However, you can successfully blend your family if you allow yourself and the family members the grace and time needed to adjust.