By Katie Brenneman
Did you know that 16% of children live as part of a blended family? That is a wonderful fact because it is awesome when children of two different parents can find a new home and become a full family unit again. However, while it is great to get everyone under the same roof, ensuring that everyone feels included and appreciated is not always as easy as we may believe.
Let’s talk about how you can get along and make new memories as a blended family.
Make Memories
As a blended family, success is more than just making it work. It is about being intentional about making new memories, so all of the kids enjoy their lives and have a fond appreciation of their childhood. Have a family meeting and ask each child for ideas of fun activities you can do as a unit, then take turns trying them all.
Solidify these memories by creating a monthly calendar or photo album that will slow off high-quality images of the amazing adventures and fun activities they have enjoyed over the years.
Some fun bonding activities include a weekend camping trip, having a family movie night, or throwing a dance party. You can also complete projects like putting together a large puzzle or creating an art and craft project that you can all admire for years to come.
Combine Traditions
A surefire way to promote inclusion in the family is to make it a point to celebrate everyone’s special day and combine traditions whenever possible. This is especially important if the kids come from different cultures because those important routines make them who they are.
Once your family gets settled, sit everyone down and choose which traditions you want to incorporate into your lives and set dates and create plans to make them a reality. You can also create a new hybrid holiday where you mix the best of both worlds on the same day every year.
If you do create a new tradition, you can continue to bond by creating personalized holiday decor like stockings and tree ornaments that you can keep around for years to come. You can also make a new tradition of baking tasty treats. Have everyone help out in the kitchen, and then you can all enjoy your delicious handiwork at the end of the night. Whatever you do, make sure everyone has fun and appreciates the day.
Helping Kids to Get Along
While it is important to celebrate the special times, parents should make it a goal to ensure that the kids all get along as well as possible every day, so they can live happy lives. Parents should lead by example by showing respect and appreciation for each other and talking out their problems instead of resorting to harsh language. Your kids will likely see this positive behavior and follow suit.
Parents should also set standards for behavior by laying down ground rules for what is and isn’t allowed in the household. Guidelines should be clearly communicated, and if one child does not follow the rules, then there must be appropriate consequences.
Most importantly, if your two families just became one, then give your kids time to adjust and give them space if they need it. Eventually, they will come out of their shell and start to build the necessary relationships.
In the end, inclusion within blended families won’t occur completely overnight. However, consider the tips and advice mentioned here, and everyone will all find the happiness that you all desire.
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, education, and fitness-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie.