I’m sure it would be difficult for everyone in the beginning…. but like everyone said..persistent love and care could come to the rescue.

Not from personal experience, but watching from close to me, I have seen the many trials and tribulations that blended families have to deal with. It’s extremely hard and frustrating but, with work and commitment, can turn out to be one of the happiest families in existence!

I imagine there would be so many factors at play here – not all non blended families work

I haven’t experienced one myself but I’ve seen plenty and they are all different so many different factors and depends on the individuals involved.

Although many are successful it is something that is hard to achieve and it cannot be forced upon the children – either they will get along or they won’t and there’s nothing much that can be done about it.

In away I am glad that I had left home when I had step parents. My step mother was ok, not a bad woman but her children were not that happy with my father in the end they won out and kept their mother away from my father in that she had to chose her children or my father.
My step father tries but I can never accept him as a father as I did not need someone else trying to run my life. My sisters really like him and his children/ grand children, I have never really met them.

I think not trying to be their friend but stand your ground there has to be some middle ground. Do not give into your step children but treat them as your children. Even if it was a bad divorce do not try to replace their own mother/father but be there if they need help.

yes they do provided the parents work together instead of against each other and trying to “won” the divorce/separation. A united front stops the kids playing parents off against each other. I am a mum and a step mum

It can work with some effort. Good luck to this woman and her situation.

I think that many are very successful.

It either works well, is “okay” or doesn’t work at all. I worry about just having a new partner with my kids, let alone one who has a child or kids. But then again, maybe that would make it easier. My youngest would be happy as long as they were nice and included her, as she doesn’t have a father or any paternal family at all. My older kids are very close with their dad so it would be hard with them.

It is much easier to adapt with babies and toddlers than it is with older children.
A know a family – the Mum already had a son, she re-married and they have 2 more boys. Her son from her first marriage is jealous of the elder one and quite violent towards him. (Her) son is so scared of him he avoids physical contact with him. We have tried discussing it with the eldest one. So far his reply is he hates him and his Step Dad and threatened both of them.

Blended families can work but depending on situations. We all now every situation is different. But so far in my experience its worked. My partner has no children nor the desire for children or the problems that come with them. But i have 4 children, the children lived with their dad but i had them on weekends and 7 week holidays etc. my partner was amazing with them as much as they pushed our buttons. They are grown up now . At the moment and for the last 10 months, ive been co parenting and raising my baby nephew. My partners sisters baby. Before the baby was born, his mother approached me and asked if i would help her raise the baby as father isnt around and never will be. I agreed and so drom day one, the baby has had 2 parents, just not a mum and a dad. He has a mum and me, his aunty but im referred to as JAMMY. J stands for the first letter of my name and A stands for aunty and MMY stands for mummy. The babys mother and my partner, whom are brother n sister, had a fight when bubs was 6 months old which i got pulled into but the babys mother and myself worked things out so things didnt change. I still raise the baby too. He is with both of us 50% of the time mostly. He has 2 homes, 2 families, and is very happy,loved and so wanted

It does depend on ages and personalities – every family set up is different.

It sound like a very hard situation..

I think that if you push too hard, sometimes that can be the thing that makes it not work.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 05 Jun 2019 , 6:03 am

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  I agree – respect and knowing boundaries goes a long way.

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    • • Mum2archer replied
      • 06 Jun 2019 , 10:37 pm

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    Yes, I agree with this! Just try to be patient and respect one another as you’re all in it together!

I am part of a blended family and out approach has been to keep the focus on the kids health, safety and happiness and work though the challenges in a mature way

I think a lot of it depends on the kids age. I think the younger they are, the more adaptable they are. I have friends who have a blended family, three of their four combined kids were teens or close to and they had, still are having, major issues with the kids accepting the step parent