How to Make a Blended Family Work
Merging a family when a new marriage occurs can be a stressful challenge. Any already-established family dynamics will be inevitably shifting, and this can cause conflict between family members. Working toward a blended and bonded family will be a process, but one with great rewards in the end. Be sure to involve all members of the immediate family in the process to ensure a successful dynamic and close-knit family circle.
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Instructions
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Set reasonable goals. Families will not realistically bond overnight. Set small benchmarks, such as two children in the family initiating playing a game together themselves.
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Encourage family time together. Designate certain times to spend together to create a consistent schedule. This could include family dinners or family game nights on Sundays.
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Encourage open communication. This should be between the parents in the family with their natural children, the parents with their step-children and the parents with each other. Make a point for everyone to sit and talk one-on-one often.
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Schedule play-date activities outside the house for the children, one-on-one time for you and your children, time for you and your step-children and also a date night, child-free, for you and your spouse. Take the children to an aquarium or to a local museum for a day. It is also important to take time for an adult evening together. The parents set the tone for the rest of the family, and communication between the two of you especially will be key.
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Create a suggestion box for the household. This is an effective way for everyone to address things that could be run better anonymously, which makes it less confrontational and more appealing for family members to express themselves on any negative issues. Check the box as a family one night a week and address any issues inside. This could be anything from chores to feeling neglected to jealousy.
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Be patient. Forming a family bond will take time and hard work. Continue working to maintain a family schedule as well as open communication to make the blending of families as seamless as possible.
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References
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