by Heather Carter

Created on: March 10, 2009

It becomes more and more common these days to have families of all different types. Interracial, same sex, single parents, and of course blended families. In blended families usually the mother and father both have kids from a previous marriage and decide to make their separate families one, kind of like the "Brady Bunch".

REACTIONS

Kids receive instant' brothers and sisters right away with no choice who were most likely brought up differently. They may not appreciate this new set up so it is important for both parents to talk to them and see how they are feeling about the changes. At this point the children could lash out or rebel depending on their age group.

COMMUNICATION

This is where things can become tricky. Each parent before this point of union has handled their kids differently, but they now have to work together. Communication is the key. The parents have to remain the parents and also a united front for their children. They have to work together and make the rules together. Once they were married it was no longer "mine" and "yours". It became "ours".

There are going to be some rocky times at first. No matter how much you love each other it is going to be a change, going from a single parent to Mom, Dad, sisters, and brothers all living together under one roof. It will be a little uncomfortable and trying at times, but there is no need to give up.

Kids are going to be kids and it doesn't matter if they are blood siblings or siblings by marriage, they are going to bicker and argue. The main thing is to treat them all the same not showing favor to "yours". Remember once the union happened the kids became "ours". Do not let them play one parent against the other. Create the rules and stand your ground.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

If you stick to your commitment and communicate with each other, blended families can work amazingly together. I grew up in a blended family and never would have wanted it any other way. I gained a lot with this union and have never regretted it. I have a dad and a father and both of them will be walking me down the aisle when I get married. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers and if you can't tell which are blood related then there is no need to tell you because it doesn't matter. I love them all the same and never look at any of my family differently.

In time a lot of blended families end up this way because they never gave up and they all worked together to become not just a blended' family, but instead a family where the blend' part just dissolves away.

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