TWO HOMES

More than half of new marriages include children from a prior relationship. More children now reside in “non-traditional” homes than in traditional families. Every divorce or separation produces two homes, each with its own strengths, challenges and ways of being that influence how you successfully raise your children.

ARE YOUR CHILDREN ADJUSTING TO A NEW STEP-FAMILY?

Children have already been through their parents’ divorce… now they have a new or different home with a new bonus parent and maybe new children in their lives. They may now see step-siblings as rivals for their remarried parent’s attention. Loyalty issues can cause unnecessary anxiety.

From your child’s point of view, they may be learning to trust a step-parent who they now must share their Mom or Dad with. You may be worried that a new step-parent is running the show, has taken over as your other co-parent, or is not treating your child well.

Meanwhile, in addition to their normal developmental tasks and challenges, your children are getting used to different experiences, rules and discipline styles in two homes that may not be consistent.

ARE YOU A STEP-MOM OR A STEP-DAD?

Are you challenged by becoming a new parent in a blended family? You want to be liked, not over-step your role… but still need to parent them well? Are your step-kids sometimes disrespectful and this goes ignored?

Maybe you’re uncomfortable or threatened by your partner’s interaction with their ex.

So now that you are part of a blended family, your role as friend has now changed to that of parent. Do you often feel that you are a Bonus Mom or Bonus Dad without the authority to make parenting decisions?

HOW I HELP

Whether you are co-parenting with an ex and/or a new partner in a remarried family, the early years in a blended family can be challenging. Creating new family structures takes some time… for you, your children, your friends, and your extended family.

Parenting children in two homes has its challenges, including setting healthy child-focused limits to help children thrive in both homes.

Working together, we help your children get the best from their step-family! They deserve the very best from each of their parents, their bonus parents, and those who have wonderful things to offer them on both sides of the family.

I help your step-family adjust to their new roles!

By sharing skills of resilience, organization, and communication, together we agree on strategies to share information with the important adults in their lives… coaches, teachers, therapists, grandparents.

We work collaboratively to establish rules of respect and boundaries for step-parents and step-children thereby setting healthy child-focused limits to help children thrive in both homes.

REACH OUT FOR HELP NEGOTIATING THE NEW NORMAL

Your children are counting on the grown-ups in their lives to provide the nurturing security they need to thrive.

If you are challenged by your step-family, please call me at (952) 746-7894 or complete the contact form below to see if Blended Family counseling can be just what you need to help make your “new” family the best it can be!