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Valerie L. Coleman Dayton, Ohio
When it comes to blended families, remember that life is based on change. The better one is prepared
to deal with this fact, the better one will be equipped to handle this major transitional phase of their life.
Lamarr Lewis Trotwood, Ohio
The parents need to agree upon the methods of disciplining the children. Also, before chastising a
child, the parent and child must first establish a relationship. Premature discipline may stifle a healthy
relationship and evoke retaliation from the child. Children respond better to discipline when love
precedes correction (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
LaShawn and Joy Lewis Moraine, Ohio
Couples bring their life experiences into marriage. Your spouse’s style of parenting may differ
considerably from yours, good or bad. So to prevent problems; talk through everything from discipline
to philosophies on education. One thing is for sure; you cannot be too prepared when it comes to
raising children.
Deena Miller Atlanta, Georgia
The married couple must establish, monitor and enforce rules specific to their household. These rules
apply to all the children even if they do not reside in the home. Consistency, reinforcement and
agreement are critical to the success of blending families.
Tammy Kessler Dayton, Ohio
Don’t let the other parent run your house! The married couple must establish the rules of engagement
for visitations, drop offs, pick ups and vacations, then stick to them. Given the opportunity, the other
parent may try to use the children to manipulate your spouse, causing division in the marriage.
Tonya Baker Clayton, Ohio
Make sure that this is what you want and that you’re ready for what lies ahead. Being a stepparent is
hard — much is expected of you, but in the end it’s never good enough.
Laura Phillips
Unity is essential to the success of the blended family. Both parents must agree to become and stay
unified while raising the children. Children will try to divide the family, if given the opportunity. The Word
of God is true and must be applied to our lives daily. Can two walk together, except they are agreed?
Amos 3:3
Melvin Williams Dayton, Ohio
Foster parenting is a 24-7, 365 days a year job. Most often, the biological families have abandoned,
abused, and neglected their children. The children have no reason to trust you and will intentionally do
things to test if you will also abandon them. Your only weapon is unconditional love.
Gwendolyn Cox Trotwood, Ohio
When families with children blend, the parents need to set new rules and decide how the family will be
managed. Each parent hopes to keep things as consistent and safe for their own children as possible.
Identifying specific areas of differences, stating clearly what those differences are and working to find
common ground is essential for successful family blending.
Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem, M.Ed, R.M.F.T. Burlington, Ontario Canada
Marrying someone who has children is a tricky situation to entertain. Confidence, compassion,
understanding, patience, sacrifice, security, acceptance and the ability to recite (and believe in) the
Serenity Prayer on a daily basis are great considerations and prerequisites before treading there.
Lyn Handler Sebring, Florida
Quality family time doesn’t have to be a major event. Choose one night a month for dinner and fun. It
improves the quality of life and gives children a sense of family identity. In no time at all, your crew will
be looking forward to The Funky Family Fun Night.
Patricia Griffin Dayton, Ohio
Our experiences as children help to formulate our interaction as parents with our own children.
Abandonment, insecurity, selfishness are generational curses that must be broken if we are to be
effective parents.
Valerie L. Coleman Dayton, Ohio
Copyright © 2006-2007 by Valerie Coleman
All rights reserved
