Search Results for: parenting blended families see also single parenting blog

Blending Can Be a Nightmare

It’s so very hard to be a single parent but I think that blending families has to be the biggest challenge. Second marriages fail at a rate higher than first marriages and I believe that is due to trying to blend families. You have your children and your hopes, dreams and insecurities about what it will mean for them to have a step father. You also have an ex husband who may or may not be involved in his children’s lives, if he is involved there may also be a stepmother to think about. Then your new husband has his … Continue reading →

My Next Chapter

After my biological parents divorced, my mother’s high school boyfriend came for a visit, proposed, and she married him. I have memories of getting a birthday card from a new grandmother wishing me happy fourth birthday with an elephant beating a drum as I boarded the Amtrak train to Los Angeles, California. My new father and my mother decided to have him adopt me in order to obtain complete custody of me and my sister. Thus I now have birth certificates from two U.S. states. My second father seemed to try harder, and was more consistent. He paid the bills, … Continue reading →

The Only One

I have been thinking a lot about the future lately. Thinking about how different the family structure will be if Logan is the only one of my children going to his dad’s every other weekend. This was one of my greatest fears when I first got divorced. I still remember calling my mother and crying to her that I could never get married again for this very reason. At the time I seemed to think that would be easier on him. I dated a guy a few months ago who was also divorced and had a three year old little … Continue reading →

Blended Families

Remarrying when there are children involved is complicated. There are so many things to take into consideration. It can be a time of great happiness, but it can also be a time of chaos and misunderstanding. Communication is key. Discuss things with your new spouse and the children before the marriage has taken place. It is important that everybody is on the same page. Lots of changes are happening all at once and the more you communicate with your children the easier that transition will be for them. It gives them a chance to prepare themselves for the changes that … Continue reading →

Estate Planning and the Step Family

For too many of us, estate planning is the thing we’re always going to get to but often don’t. It’s like flossing, but with exponentially greater potential for harm. I understand why we procrastinate, believe me I do, but a failure to act in this department can have a devastating effect on your family. Our financial planner had been after us to create an estate plan for a year; as we began preparations for an extended trip through Mexico, it seemed irresponsible not to have something in place. We contacted an attorney who came highly recommended, and blithely scheduled an … Continue reading →

He’s Got Her Wrapped Around His Little Finger!

Chase has been dating Amy, a 28 year old single mother, for over a year. Things are getting serious; they’ve even been batting around the “M” word. She is attractive, kind, funny, considerate, and they both love to fish and camp. In a nutshell, she’s everything he’s been looking for in a life partner…except for one little thing… a twenty-eight pound, 3 year old little thing, named Marcus. “Now don’t get me wrong, he’s really cute and everything” admits Chase, “but she jumps every time he cries! And I mean every time! He has totally got her wrapped around his … Continue reading →

The Present Box

In a traditional family and an occasion arises that presents are called for, the other parent steps up to the plate, usually, and takes the child shopping for the celebratory parent. They might also help them to make a gift and/or a pretty card for the event. There is no problem. In a nontraditional family without the mother/father thing happening, the grandparents most likely will take over this responsibility for the absent parent. What happens when there is no other parent or grandparent? What about a friend or another close relative? You might not have that either. What next? First … Continue reading →

Quick Tips For The New School Year

The first few weeks of the new school year are always very hectic for all parties involved, from the teacher, to the student and home again to the parent. There are forms to fill out, supplies to get and events to attend. Here are a few quick tips to make your first few weeks of school much easier. Everything Needs a Place Clutter is almost a guarantee as the school year begins and papers start coming home. Setting up a homework station that is stocked with sharpened pencils, pens and erasers, paper and other supplies is a great way to … Continue reading →

Fabulous School Products for Scrapbooking

It is back to school time, and with that comes the planning of school photographs, school albums and school layouts. Are you ready? You can be ready by taking a look at these fantastic products that will help you create gorgeous layouts. KI Memories always has some of the cutest products for back to school time. Their coordinated lines make creating layouts faster and easier which lends for more pages and completed albums! From rub-ons and stickers, to clear rubber stamps and some of the most luscious patterned papers, your layouts will truly shine with these KI Memories products. Cosmo … Continue reading →

3 Fun Classic Games Turned Into Water Games

Most kids love to play games. There are dozens of classic games that have been around for years if not centuries. Wouldn’t it be fun if you could figure out a way to add some water to these classic games to make a perfect and fun way to beat the heat? Here are a few classic games, now with a twist of added water. Duck, Duck, Splash This is the water rendition of “Duck, Duck, Goose”. My children have been playing this since they were old enough to enjoy the original. You will need a large car washing sponge (available … Continue reading →