overcoming the parenting challenges of blended families

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Just as it was rare to find divorced couples in the days of old, it is just as hard to find couples who

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Page 1: Overcoming The Parenting Challenges Of Blended Families

Overcoming The Parenting Challenges Of Blended Families Just as it was rare to find divorced couples in the days of old, it is just as hard to find couples whosurvive the struggles of their marriage without giving up these days. Divorce can be hard on kids andespecially hard when you remarry someone else. It is a major life transition and the smoother it goes,the better off your kids will be. This article will look at different ways to overcome the parentingchallenges of becoming a blended family. Don't be alarmed if your kids resist the change at first, and allow them time to adjust on their ownterms. Your new spouse and you should decide ahead of time how disciplining the kids should behandled, so you can show them a united front enforcing the rules of the house. If your parentingstyles are polar opposite then the transition for the kids might be extra difficult if the ground rules arenot established prior to becoming one family unit. It is important to discuss what morals and values you each want to instill in your kids together. If yourideas are very different you should try to meet somewhere on common ground. Decide what isimportant and what you do and do not want your kids exposed to. This can ultimately mean somecompromising if your set of values are very different from each other. It can be hard to bend on issuesthat you feel strongly about, but decide what is in the best interest of the kids.   Figure out which kids will be responsible for which chores and be sure that you clearly lay out whatyou expect of them. Both of you should make sure that the chores are done each day, and be clearon the consequences of blowing them off. If the kids protest too much, invite them to participate in thechoosing of the chores. Allowing them to have a little say over the chore they have to do will helpthem to do it with less resistance. It is crucial that your children see you as a united front on all parenting decisions that need to bemade. If your kids see that you do not agree they will use you against each other to get what theywant. Showing them that you are on the same team will keep them from trying to play you againsteach other. If the kids have a request and your answer is no, then your spouse's answer should alsobe no. Children are very perceptive and intelligent and will take an opportunity to get what they want ifthey can. After all, it is much easier for a kid to persuade one parent to see things their way than it isto try to persuade two parents who both are fixed on the same answer.

Page 2: Overcoming The Parenting Challenges Of Blended Families

Blending two families together can present a numerous amount of challenges when you have kids.Being sensitive of their feelings and showing them a united parenting front can help to make things abit easier. Apply some of the tips from this article to help make the transition of blending your twofamilies into a smooth one. Click Here For More Information