How do I adapt to a mixed family?
If current marriage statistics remain stable, estimated one of three children spend at least part of their life in a mixed family. The mixed family by definition includes children from previous marriages and children born during the current marriage. Many people connect the ideal mixed family with the American Sitcom Brady Bunch , in which a man with three boys married a woman with three girls. The stepmother had to learn to adapt to life in a new dynamics of a mixed family. A large mixed family may have to live together in a space for the original family of one husband, at least temporarily. If you are a child in a mixed family, you may be asked to give up part of your room or move to an unknown house. The key is to remain flexible and non -veritarian. The room can be divided by maximum floor space can be installed the same parts or bunk beds. Consider life with a new step of sibling as a chance to connect with a friend, not a competition for attentionthe parents.
If you are one of the parents of a new mixed family, you should understand that these adjustments will take some time. Before allocating rooms for a new mixed family, carefully consider factors such as age, personality, interests and the order of birth. Younger half -siblings can adapt well to municipal life, but older half -siblings may want to perceive the perceived loss of privacy. The oldest child of one parent does not have to connect well with the youngest child of another, or aggressive children may not respect more passive half -siblings. Be prepared for some unplanned room switching, because siblings will learn more about themselves.
The difficult part of life in a mixed family is an inevitable comparison of the past. The original family members may initially reluctant to receive half -siblings because they serve as a daily reminder of contemporary reality. Parents wouldIf you understand how difficult it can be for children to let go of their past, especially after the divorce or death of the parent. Playing the role of half -parent can be particularly difficult, because children can honestly claim that one is not their "real" parent. Some experts propose to allow the original parents of children to act as a disciplinary, because the role of half -parent is already so demanding.
parents and children living in a mixed family often combine shared activities. He may fall on his parents to start the first mixed family trips, but in the end, half -siblings should plan their own adventures. Participation in sports events or artistic performances including stepchildren is also a good way to establish a bond. Children in a mixed family can be very sensitive to the apparent protectionism, especially when it applies to original children over stepchildren.
One way to adapt to a mixed family is to keep titles like stepmother's mother or The half -brother optional. If you are a child and feel a strong bond with your new mother, it should be okay to call her mother rather than unbearable does not own her mother . The same applies to parents in a mixed family. Many children react positively when a stepmother introduces them as their children, not the "my husband's children" or "my stepchildren". Mixed family often means losing initial fears and allowing new parents and half -siblings to your life rather than keep them on the length of the arm.