Tips for Establishing Healthy Blended Families

Go slowly. Don't expect to fall in love with your partner’s children overnight. Take it slowly, and get to know them. Love and respect have to be learned and a step parent has to earn them.

All brothers and sisters have “falling out” periods, so don’t assume all family arguments are the result of living in a blended family.

Beware of favouritism. Be fair. Don’t overcompensate by favoring your stepchildren. This is a common mistake, made with best intentions, in an attempt to avoid indulging your biological children.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Be sure to discuss everything. Never keep emotions bottled up or hold grudges.

Make special arrangements. If some of the kids “just visit,” make sure they have a locked cupboard for their personal things. Bringing toothbrushes and other “standard fare” each time they come to your home makes them feel like a visitor, not a member of the blended family. Find support. Locate a step parenting support organization in your community. You can learn how other blended families address some of the challenges of blended families.

Spend time every day with your child. Try to spend at least one “quiet time” period with your child (or children) daily. Even in the best of blended families, children still need to enjoy some “alone time” with each parent.

Patience is a virtue! Don't just cross your fingers and hope the kids will like each other. They need time to get to know their stepbrothers or sisters. It shouldn’t be hurried.

Jan Littlejohn

Ceremonies with Style
http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/

Why Have a Vow Renewal Ceremony?

There are myriad reasons for having a vow renewal ceremony and the way in which you wish to celebrate and commemorate can be designed to reflect your preferences & style.
Below Are Just Some of The Many Reasons For Having a Vow Renewal Ceremony & Celebration:

Milestone Anniversary – Make a “milestone” any year: From One Year to 60 Years.

A personal milestone

Simply for sentimental reasons

You simply want to celebrate your love and have a party

You never had a real wedding celebration. Perhaps you eloped and had a simple civil ceremony.

Now you want “the real deal” with all the trimmings.

The Two of you & your marriage have persevered through tumultuous times and as a result your relationship has grown deeper & more meaningful.

You’re about to celebrate your first year as a married couple and you want to celebrate. (Some couples have a vow renewal ceremony every anniversary.

You want a special romantic getaway with just the two of you, a “Destination Renewal of Vows.

You want to publicly renew your wedding vows and proclaim your love.

Include children, grandchildren, your parents, friends & other relatives in your ceremony. Involving children & grandchildren in your ceremony, or, even just having them witnesses such a meaningful ceremony is a wonderful example for them to experience!From the intimate private vow renewal ceremony/celebration to the “grand entrance, walk down the aisle,” I can create and officiate a deeply meaningful personalized ceremony for you.

Jan Littlejohn
Ceremonies with Style
http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/