Step-family Issues
As a great man once said, “Happy families are all alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Perhaps nowhere is this though more applicable today than in the realm of blended families, or those composed of individuals from previous unions.
Any family therapist can tell you that the strain of relationships between stepchild and stepparent, half or step-siblings, and even between two new parents, can be enormous. Although plenty of blended families work perfectly well and offer supporting, loving relationships, several common signs of problems within these groups certainly exist, including:
- Conflicts in parenting approaches between stepparents and biological mother or father
- Rejection of stepparents as source of authority on part of children
- Dislike between stepparent and biological parent or competition for control
- Issues between children from different family backgrounds
- Interference by ex-spouses
How to Address these Problems
Whether you seek out professional guidance and support or believe it best to deal with these conflicts on your own, there are a few avenues of thought that will probably be most helpful for you. These include:
- Creation of a “neutral zone” in which any and all feelings may be expressed without fear of judgment or condemnation
- Exploration of feelings of dissatisfaction with step-relations
- Inviting an ex-spouse to the meeting to fill out the picture and resolve any remaining issues on his or her role with respect to the new family.
- Encouragement for a step-parent to assert authority and demand respect from children they may be hesitant to reproach.
Contact Us
For more information on dealing with step-families and the unique kinds of issues they present, contact the experienced team of Austin divorce lawyers at the offices of Slater, Kennon & Pugh Ltd.LLP, today by calling 512-472-2341.