Co-parenting can be hectic and challenging, especially when it’s time for the kids and step-kids to go back to school. They have enjoyed a more relaxed summer schedule, and that first day back to class can be a jolt for both children and parents! New class schedules, new teachers, new sports, and new after-school activities […]
Sure, I can be a stepdad; how hard can it be? If I only knew what I needed to know, my first question would be drastically different. Over ten years as a stepparent, I’ve experienced many seasons with my stepson. Some seasons, where he wanted me more involved and closer to the vest, so to […]
Relationships in blended families are often like that box of chocolates Tom Hanks references in the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” Suppose I could speak freely and honestly; blended family relationships, well…you never know what you’ll get. When Scott and I look […]
Many couples enter a blended marriage thinking the children will quickly adjust to all the new changes, but there may be so many. Your family’s situation may change rapidly, but for children, transition is seldom quick. That’s okay. You are in this marriage for the long haul, and you’ve plenty of time to make this […]
Relationships are messy–even the healthiest ones. They take a lot of hard work. That’s especially true of the relationship between a biological parent and a stepparent. On the surface, there may be opposing agendas, mixed motives, and strong emotions. The result is often an adversarial relationship between biological parent and stepparent. But it doesn’t have […]
Co-parenting can be a challenge under the best of circumstances. When your ex-spouse and you different on matters of faith, the tension and strain can supercharge your conflicts. One of the biggest questions we get from people is how to co-parent when your ex-spouse holds different beliefs than you do. If that’s your case, you’re […]
When you get married again, you will likely feel a variety of emotions–excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and perhaps even a little fear. Your kids will experience the effects of remarriage, too, and they also feel a slew of emotions. The difference is that as an adult, you have developed the skills and maturity to express and […]
Divorce is painful for everyone involved, including the children. Kids are resilient, but they are dealing with some heavy emotions, thoughts, and questions. Unfortunately, many children cannot or will not express how they feel about their parents’ divorce, even if asked. In our conversations and research, we’ve found similar themes in what kids might tell […]
Let’s face it–there’s no handbook for raising children, and parenting can be super challenging! That’s especially true when we go through a divorce, try to co-parent, or remarry and create a blended family. Emotions can run high–especially guilt. Before we know what happened, we realize we are parenting or co-parenting from a place of guilt […]
How Alienating Your Co-Parent Could Harm Your Child. Co-parenting can be a huge challenge, especially when one or more of the parents is engaged in child manipulation and parent alienation. It is one of the most common issues blended families and single parents face–but almost no one talks about it. The divorce decree may outline […]