Secrets to Staying Married in a Blended Family
Four years ago on September 23, I married a divorced man with kids. We dated for three years before a proposal, which at the time seemed to take forever. Now I see it was truly perfect timing. We really got to know each other, not just my husband and I, but the kids, too. I [...]
Preparing Hearts for Remarriage
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Gary Smalley of smalley.cc. If you are preparing for remarriage or helping couples prepare for remarriage, you need to know there are many unique circumstances and situations that make remarried hearts more vulnerable to confusion, hurt, anger and conflict than hearts looking forward to being joined in [...]
40 Fun Things To Do With The Step Kids Before Summer Runs Out
When step kids are disrespectful or crabby, the last thing you want to do is spend time with them. My own kids usually need one of three things when this behavior flares up: attention, sleep or a healthier diet. Pretty simple, right? No family therapy session required. While going through counseling has helped us evolve [...]
Transitions, Simplified
Think about the emotions associated with divorce for adults – the anger, frustration, crushed expectations. It’s true – no one gets married thinking their love will end in court. Now, imagine dealing with those realities as a kid. One minute you’re playing ghost in the graveyard, the next, wondering why mommy and daddy don’t love each other [...]
Nice Things To Say When The Step-kids Are Being Mean
It happens. Those carefully cultivated relationships with your lover’s children seem to disappear in a showdown of wills. You might even forget why you ever liked them in the first place – that line about sticks and stones, we know, is for people without a heart. Whether they’re 3 years old or 16, the mean words [...]
How To Get To Know Your Step Kids
“Step back, take a deep breath, and get to know each other.” That’s what Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC suggested after I wrote about how to fight for a place in your blended family. She hit the nail on the head. Because in the beginning, getting to know the step kids is easy. The main [...]
Make Peace with the Ex
There was a defining moment I realized my relationship with Mr. Right’s ex mattered. I was on the phone with him, complaining about a recent “disaster” with scheduling visitation. With Little Girl in earshot, I loudly proclaimed: “She is such an idiot.” When that corner of the room went silent in attention, I added: “She’s [...]
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