I have been really lucky there, because I have great lovable daughter-in-laws. I was so happy for each son and so proud. That is the key is in seeing your son happy and being happy for him. This is not…
Read more
Being part of a blended family isn’t always an easy experience. There can often be underlying issues to contend with which unfortunately are not mentioned. The ability to form strong relationships within a blended family can sometimes be held back…
Read more
Getting along with mother-in-law: When it’s real and when you’re faking it When it’s real you don’t have any problems being around someone and it comes as natural as blinking your eyes, getting along and enjoying their company. However, when…
Read more
Dealing with a mother-in-law is something almost everyone who gets married has to do. Unless you are marrying someone whose mother has died or moved a long way away you will need to speak to her and see her. You…
Read more
Celebrations and Holidays among blended families can be a joyous or trying experience depending on how you deal with the situation. All families are unique and come with their own holiday traditions, beliefs and schedules. A key component to planning…
Read more
Here are my top ideas for keeping in touch with family and friends while traveling or away from home. A little background if you please: I moved to a foreign country a few years ago and it’s like a continuing…
Read more
Having to deal with an interfering mother-in-law can put a huge strain on a relationship. Some mother-in-laws just go way too far trying to prove that no one is good enough for her little boy. Some go so far that…
Read more
Rivalry among children in a blended family should be approached sensitively by the parents. It is often very hard for children who have been catapulted into a new living situation with new family members. All of a sudden, they have…
Read more
Ideally speaking, you should not feel pressure to “impress” your in-laws. The fact of the matter is, their son or daughter chose you as a life partner for one, if not many, reasons. Keep this in mind when you’re meeting,…
Read more
What children need most from their parents is unconditional love. They need to feel safe and secure and they need to know that no matter what happens, they will be able to count on you, their parents. However, when families…
Read more
It is imperative that you accept your embarrassing relative for who they are. You will soon be enjoying their visits to your family gatherings. Love them for their idiosyncrasies, not in spite of them. There are several fun ways to…
Read more
A member of your family is in prison and you really don’t want to talk about it. Or do you? In the years I have been involved with the TX prison system, I have met a lot of people who…
Read more
There is nothing wrong with friendly rivalry among step-brothers and step-sisters as long as it is done in the spirit of amiable competition and not aggressive hostility. It is the responsibility of step-parents to ensure their children understand the difference….
Read more
Entering into a blended family situation with your own children is a long term commitment which should not be taken on lightly especially when children of a spouse are involved. Favouring your own children over that of a partner can…
Read more
Hand-written, snail mailed letters are a thing of the past for most people. If you love someone who is incarcerated, I hope you’ve picked up a pen and paper and written them weekly. If not, consider starting. Designate 15 minutes…
Read more
Befriending your stepchild can be complicated. Often children of divorce are subjected to battling parents and are influenced by overheard information from an angry parent. Your stepchild might want to like you but puts up defensive walls that you will…
Read more
If you have in-laws, more than likely you have some tension. I think it all comes down to the fact that the first marriage had the perfect in-law: God. After that it all went down hill. How can you possibly…
Read more
Blended families give rise to blended problems. What happens is that often parents and relatives outside of the newly blended family will expect their fair share of time with the children. This gives rise to many dilemmas. How can holidays…
Read more
Planning any event in a blended family can be challenging enough, let alone planning a holiday or other large celebration. There are some tips that could make the planning process a little smoother. When needing to plan an event, keep…
Read more
A blended family can be either be a wonderful experience or a total disaster. It is not always easy to feel the same way about your step-children as you do your own. It is not because you cannot love them…
Read more
SHUT UP!…And mind your own business. This is the best suggestion and comment to keep your family from meddling in your personal affairs. They obviously have no time to come to this conclusion on their own, because all of their…
Read more
Rivalry among children is a very common occurrence. Children living in the same household tend to compete for attention and affection. They are constantly trying to out-do the other sibling or put the blame on one another when something goes…
Read more
Every blended family has their own stories of how they got to become a “real” family. Along the way there are many obstacles to overcome and the gender of the children can make it more or less of a challenge….
Read more
In a perfect, fifty’s TV show society, every husband would be Ward Cleaver. His “June” would waiting at home with his pipe and slippers waiting for the pot roast to get out of the oven. “Wally” and “Beaver” would wash…
Read more
A relationship with the mother-in-law can be challenging, especially if she is the domineering type and you are married to her son. It can also be tough, though, if she is super close with her daughter, who just so happens…
Read more
BLENDING FAMILIES: PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THE CHANGE “I wanted a dad,” my then-nine-year-old son told the psychologist, “but not this dad”. Al had no memory of his biological father, who’d turned out to be a clinical melancholic given to periods…
Read more
Blending a family successfully is much like making a stew. You have some ingredients that will always define your dish as a stew, usually meat and potatoes, but there are many additional items that when added make it unique and…
Read more
Children are fragile creatures. They often wear their hearts on their sleeves, which unfortunately is easy to break at times. When you are about to merge families, this is a time where your child’s feelings are of utmost importance. There…
Read more
Brothers and sisters have a hard time cooperating from the get go. Add the detail of siblings being step-siblings and the rivalry gets even bigger. The following tips should help soften the blows. 1) Stay out of it until it…
Read more
Children have a major force leading and directing them through the course of their lives. That force is their parents. What if those parents are a combination of biological and step? Children have expectations from the adults in their lives,…
Read more