Are you having trouble getting along with your stepchildren? Are your kids disrespectful to their stepparent? Do you and your spouse disagree on how to discipline the children in your home?
Blending a family is not easy, but you're not alone in navigating step parenting problems. There are ways to make a stepfamily work, for both adults and kids.
To get started see our articles below on blended family issues and step parenting.
Recently, I was sitting at lunch with a friend, swapping stories about our families. I shared that I was concerned about how my adult stepdaughter was doing—she was facing a difficult situation thousands of miles away from home. “Well,” my friend said, “You don’t have to worry about that. You’re not her real mom.” You’re not... Read more »
Parenting is never easy, but when you have a blended family—with bio-kids and stepkids, your spouse’s ex, and other extended family members thrown into the mix—things can get very difficult very quickly. We receive questions every week in Empowering Parents from readers who ask: “How can I discipline my stepkids effectively and get their respect?... Read more »
Over the years, many parents in blended families have come to me about stepchild disrespect. In some cases, their stepkids didn't respect them, and in others, their biological child didn't respect their new spouse. Often, the kids were rude or obnoxious, saying things like, "You're not my father; I don't have to listen to you!"... Read more »
A comment on my recent blog "How to Have a (Happier) Blended Family" caught my attention because it deals with a typical complaint: being stuck in the middle. In her comment, Laura asks, "We are going on an extended family camping trip together next week. I don’t want to be in the middle of this battle... Read more »
