Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Making your blended family feel whole

Bringing a blended family together can feel like a lot of work. For a while, your step family might not feel like a one unit, but two units combined. It takes time to make a family feel like a complete family, but it is possible. One of the most important aspects of creating a whole blended family is to make sure everyone feels welcome and involved. Sometimes a person feels left out and that can unbalance the whole family. Take the time to talk to everyone in the family to make sure no one feels left out.

Spend more time together as a step family
Just because you are a step family does not mean you shouldn’t spend more time together. Spending time together is more important than you could ever imagine. Think of those kids who come home from school and there is no one in the house. The child feels alone and they feel as though they have no one. Your child may feel like this as they are having a new family built for them. Spending time together and making sure everyone feels solid is very important. This is a significant role as a biological parent or a step parent.  It’s important to spend some one-on-one time with your step kids and your biological kids.

Get to know your step kids or step siblings
If you are a child in a step family, then you have a lot going on around you. Making your blended family whole is also up to you. You will want to get to know your new step siblings because they are a part of your new blended family. No one expects you to stop your whole life, but they are an important part of your new life, so take the time to get to know them. The same goes for a step parent, your step kids are an important part of your new blended family. Although your mind might be on your biological kids or your job, it’s important that you take the time to get to know your step kids. Everyone has to work together to make this new experience work.

Treat each step family member with respect
Growing up with your biological sisters and brothers sometimes seems easy. When you throw a step family member in the mix, you might have a wide range of feelings. The most important thing you can do here is make sure you value each family member, whether they are a step family member or not. Creating a blended family unit is not easy, but you all have the power to make it happen. It might take a lot of nights of talking, playing and just spending time together, but before you know it, your blended family will feel like a whole family soon enough.

The Blended and Step Family Resource Center offers a wealth of information through its many resources including books and newsletters, as well as coaching and counseling services by licensed professional counselors.

1 comment:

  1. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am a casting associate with a Los Angeles-based television production company that develops television series for a variety of cable networks.

    Our company is in the beginning stages of development for a new reality series that will center on the day-to-day life of a unique, modern day blended family. We are now casting a large, blended family that resides anywhere in the United States. Are you an outgoing, dynamic family comprised of interesting characters and spouses that have children from previous marriages? We are looking for this generation’s wilder, more entertaining Brady Bunch. Although on-camera experienced is not required, all family members must have big personalities, be comfortable speaking on camera, and able to legally work in the U.S.

    We are respectfully asking that you share and forward this information to any individuals, families, businesses, clubs, groups or organizations that may be interested in being considered for the project and encouraging unique, individual families to submit themselves for consideration. To be considered, please email us photographs of your family (both family photos and individual photos of each family member), describe the roles or jobs of each family member, tell us your story and why your family would make for compelling television, what city and state you live in, and include contact information (name, number, email) via: RVScasting@yahoo.com.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Best wishes,

    Emily Good
    Casting Associate
    Red Varden Studios

    ReplyDelete