This is part of my blended family.

Blended Families

Description
A blended family also called stepfamily is when parents remarry and make a life with
each other’s children from a previous relationship.

Common Problems
Although the new married couple hopes the new family all bond together in a loving
manner, the children usually struggle with the new relationships. The stepsiblings and parents
become the outsiders and negative feelings cause problems.

Statistics
 1300 new stepfamilies are forming every day.
 Over 50% of US families are remarried or re-coupled.
 The average marriage in America lasts only seven years.
 One out of two marriages ends in divorce.
 75% remarry
 66% of those living together or remarried break up, when children are involved.
 80% of remarried, or re-coupled, partners with children both have careers.
 50% of the 60 million children under the age of 13 are currently living with one
biological parent and that parent's current partner.
 The 1990 US Census stated there will be more stepfamilies than original families by the
year 2000.
 According to the Stepfamily Foundation's research, more than 60% of divorced fathers
visit their children. These children do not legally "reside" with their fathers. So, neither
government, nor academic research includes these fathers and their children as
stepfamilies! The father may be a single dad, but most likely he is re-coupled or
remarried, thus creating a stepfamily. These children shuttle between their parent's
 homes, radically increasing the numbers of stepfamilies. These fathers are ignored and
uncounted.
 75% of stepfamilies complain of "not having access to resources as a stepfamily,"
according to a recent Stepfamily Foundation survey of 2000 web questionnaires.
 A Boston University psychologist researcher reported that of the career women who
earned over $100.000 and had married men with children over 75% said that, "if they
had do it again they would NOT marry a man with children."
 50% of all women, not just mothers, are likely sometime in their life, to live in a
stepfamily relationship, when we include living-together families in our definition of the
stepfamily, according to research compiled by Professor of Sociology Larry L. Bumpass
of the University of Wisconsin.

Steps for Parents

Don't expect to fall in love with your partner's children overnight. Get to know them.
Love and affection take time to develop.

Find ways to experience "real life" together. Taking both sets of kids to a theme park every
time you get together is a lot of fun, but it isn't reflective of everyday life. Try to get the kids
used to your partner and their children in daily life situations.

Make parenting changes before you marry. Agree with your new partner how you intend to
parent together, and then make any necessary adjustments to your parenting styles before you
remarry. It'll make for a smoother transition and your kids won't become angry at your new
spouse for initiating changes.

Don't allow ultimatums. Your kids or new partner may put you in a situation where you feel you
have to choose between them. Remind them that you want both sets of people in your life.

Insist on respect. You can't insist people like each other, but you can insist that they treat one
another with respect.

Limit your expectations. You may give a lot of time, energy, love, and affection to your new
partner's kids that will not be returned immediately. Think of it as making small investments
that may one day yield a lot of interest.

Students
Younger children generally have an easier time adjusting the new stepparents. Older
children may take longer to build a bond. They need to be encouraged by all parents through
their time of uncertainty. They may also compete for attention from their biological parent.

For Teachers
Be aware of your student’s unique family situations and make your classroom safe and
welcoming for all individuals. Communicate with parents and find out who is the primary
contact. Give the students time for counseling or talking about their feelings privately. Find out
what they schedules are and work with them for completing assignments. Treat your students
with respect, listen to them, and value them as a person.

Sources
 https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parent
ing-family/step-parenting-blended-
families.htm
 http://www.stepfamily.org/stepfamily-
statistics.html
 https://education.cu-
portland.edu/blog/curriculum-teaching-
strategies/tips-for-teachers-working-
with-unique-family-structures/