Build A Healthy Blended Family
Blended families are complex. Knowing how to deal with your stepchild(ren) is essential to the success of your new marriage or new committed relationship. As well, when you consider the effects of divorce on children, it is essential that you now play a positive role in the lives of your stepchild or stepchildren.
Stepparents often have a difficult time defining their roles in dealing with the child of their new partner. This is especially relevant at the beginning of the relationship when ‘authority’ and ‘the right to parent’ have not been established.
After a period, that is different for each family and situation, slowly and cautiously, you can increase your authority with your stepchildren.
At first, when you begin living with your stepchildren you should hold back telling them what to do or trying to interact with them unless you see positive signs that they are willing to acknowledge your position in their new situation of living in a stepfamily.
Eventually, if all goes well you can graduate to a stepparent with ‘full parental authority.’ When this happens, it is good for everyone.
If you go ‘too fast’ trying to be a ‘loving and responsible’ stepparent you may unintentionally alienate your new partner and his or her child(ren).
