So, you’ve blended families, or are about to – it’s not that easy, is it?
You feel in love and like all couples, believed that you could live in a wonderful family environment raising your kids and growing old together.
At the moment, however, things may not be going to plan as there are personalities and outside influences that just don’t seem to be coming together.
Blended families are complicated!
Children that may not be your own biological children living with you?
Children moving between 2 households, which may or may not be on a regular basis?
Tension between you and your partner due to their ex?Children are not really sure where they fit in and have to adjust and readjust to different living arrangements and household routines?
Behaviours change because children do not want to be ‘perceived’ as being disloyal to their other birth parent?
You feel like you don't have a say in your own household?
Children acting out and demand special treatment which then puts strain on your relationship?
Non-residential birth parent is not agreeable and creates drama, including court appearances and orders?
In general terms, the household mode can swing very quickly from settled, happy and peaceful to chaotic and negative in a short space of time.
We get it, we really do!
We’ve been through the drama, the court orders, the conflict and anguish, and life is certainly not perfect.
What we have learnt is that by looking at our own how we act and react, we can create the family environment that we want and deserve, it just means setting in place structure that will ensure consistency, certainty and positivity.