Six Steps to Successful Blending of Families
1) Don't RUSH into putting everyone together.
2) Take the time to make sure everyone will have their space, their own little sanctuary. Make sure to allot quality time spent with either parent and with everyone as a whole.
3) Set down basic rules. Don't overpick or oversimplify. If you feel more comfortable making it a democratic process, sit everyone down at the kitchen or diningroom table and ask them to give input as to the househole rules. Make sure at least your spouse is in full agreement with the rules before implementing them.
4) Do things as a family. It is so important not to operate as individuals all the time, but to do something together, in order to bond the families ties. Don't overdo this aspect of the relationship, however. Depending on the ages of the children, it is important not to push a teenager into doing too much with the family, but rather, even including them in a housebound activity would be spending family time together.
5) COMMUNICATE. The MOST IMPORTANT part of the mix. You must keep communication flowing between you and your spouse and between the children and yourself. If you have to have a weekly meeting, then go for it. If everyone thinks that is too corny, then just make sure that your children AND your spouse are able to speak to you comfortably and in private, if necessary.
6) STAND TOGETHER. Another most important part of successful blended family building. There is a well-known saying, and it has been especially brought to the forefront in speaking about our country since the disaster of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon on September 11th. UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL.
Take care -- hug your mate and your children today -- and every day.
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