THE BLENDED FAMILY

Unique challenges and Gifts

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it
does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not
dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

 Challenges of the New Family

Myths
Extended family opinion
Shattered dreams of children
Children’s resistance
Unreasonable expectations
Ambiguous Roles
Deficient communication with absent parent
Lack of planning
 Potential Gifts of the New Family

New opportunity for happiness

Better sense of understanding of ourselves
and others
Greater empathy
 Deepened knowledge and practice of Love
Larger clan of love
Some strategies for the new Step Family:

 Work on yourself and your personal relationship with God

Work on your relationship with your spouse
Give step children a chance to grieve
Honor each children’s individuality and give them space
Allow time for love to flourish
Get everyone involved in family activities
Encourage inclusion of the extended families as much as
possible
Be a peaceful presence with a clear role
Do the unexpected
Be kind to yourself and patient with the process
Listen
 Always remember
that your good and
loving actions are
like feathers
We never know which lives we
influence, or when, or how.
-Stephen King

Blessed is the influence of one true,

loving human soul on another.
-George Eliot

THANK YOU!