|
 Are
you are a "single" parent who is considering beginning
a new relationship with an individual who has their
own children? Perhaps you both are thinking about
getting married? You probably already know that
you are facing a challenge, but that doesn't mean
it is impossible. What is important is how you go
about blending the two families.
For Families with Young Children:
Remember to "go slowly" when moving
into a new relationship and give "everyone" time
to deal with new people, new activities and the
possibility of a "new" family.
Many of our parents that we work with
at Family Therapy Associates share many of the same
questions:
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- How can I help my child/children understand
that it is important for me to start dating
again?
- What is the best way to introduce my
child to my new "romantic interest"?
- How can I help my child adjust to so
many changes?
- How do I handle conflict between my child
and my new partner?
- Since we both have children, how will
we separate and/or share parenting responsibilities?
- How will we handle conflict between our
children?
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Be aware that your children probably also have
worries that need to be addressed and they often
need a "safe place" to ask questions that are weighing
on their minds and perhaps affecting their daily
lives.
Are your children worrying
and perhaps "acting out"? Is it possible that these
thoughts and questions are "on their minds"?
Is this
"new person" trying to replace my "real" mom or
dad? I don’t want any more
brothers or sisters, especially a new baby.
Why does my mom or dad
like the "other kids" better than me now?
No one spends time with
me anymore.
No one cares about what
it’s like for me.
How can I get things "back"
to the way they were?
I "feel badly/guilty”
that my "real mom/dad" is all alone now.
There is no one I can
tell how I feel.
 While
statistics may show that 60% of second marriages
fail, remember that it also means 40% are successful,
and we can help you find ways to "find a way, not
a way out"!
One more note… While we often consider
this an issue for people with younger children it
is not uncommon for older adults with adult children
to face blended family issues.
Issues for adult children often involve finances,
inheritance and caregiving issues, however sometimes
the underlying issues also involve similar issues
to those found at a younger age.
 While
"we expect" adult children to be supportive sometimes
professional help is useful in sorting out the issues.
When friends and family are too close
to the situation to be helpful, the therapists at
Family Therapy Associates are ready to listen…
"Creativity requires
the courage to let go of certainties".
Erich Fromm
| When
friends and family are just too close to your
situation to help.
call
us at 954 -341 - 2555
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