Proving that love can surmount boundaries, blended families are reinventing the traditional concept of a family.
What is a blended family?
A blended family is defined as a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, and at least one is the stepchild of either partner in the couple.
Being in a blended family can be a challenging but rewarding experience. According to Catherine Mengere, a blended family coach and life coach, here are some of the many great things about being in a blended family:
- Having nurturing family ties
When you are a part of a blended family, nurturing relationships is a powerful commitment. You understand that love extends beyond blood ties and the bonds that you form with your new family can to be unbreakable. Within the family, you foster a sense of belonging and security as you embracing new roles and support each other’s growth.
- Forming lasting family bonds
It’s heartwarming when family members from different backgrounds come together as family and forge connections that can last a lifetime. Building strong bonds within the family do require intentionality and a commitment. Family members must communicate, show empathy, compromise, and do active listening in order for trust and understanding to flourish in the family.
When blended families forge their own traditions and create new memories, these shared experiences will bring them closer together, and their family bonds are strengthened.
- Building family unity
Blended families exemplify the strength of family unity. When family members embracing their differences, they enrich each other’s lives and grow together as a family. Challenges will most certainly arise, but if each family member is determined and committed, they can create a safe haven where everyone thrives in the family.
How to Form the Ties That Bind in Blended Families
Blending two families is rarely easy. Things will be strained or difficult things at first, but with open communication, mutual respect, and plenty of love and patience, a blended family can be successful. Here are tips that can help the family through the challenges:
- Marriage first
A healthy relationship between the husband and wife is the basis for a healthy bonded blended family. It is important that they take time to nurture their marriage. Love, respect, and open communication are essential in building a stable and secure marriage, which, in turn, will create a stable, secure, happy blended family.
- Be patient.
Creating a family bond is a process and may take time. Patience is needed in fostering closeness in the family. Allow the child or children to set the pace, giving them plenty of time to grieve over the loss of their original family. If they’re introverted, it might take them more time to warm up to you.
- Honor old traditions and create new ones.
If you integrate old familiar routines and traditions into your new family, it will be easier for the new family to bond. Continuing the old family activities or routines will make the family members comfortable and secure as these activities are familiar to them.
At the same time, it is a good idea to come up with new things to do as this will create new memories and forge the bond you want have for your new family.
A successful blended family may be difficult to set up. It takes patience, understanding, and respect from each member of the family to make the family work. But within these challenges is a wonderful opportunity to create new traditions, memories, and connections that will last a lifetime.