“Stepfamilies don’t simply represent two people coming together in marriage; each new stepfamily represents two worlds—worlds of hope, dreams, expectations, habits, traditions, personalities—coming together in a context of loss (p. 6).” Winston T. Smith in Help for Stepfamilies
Do you ever find yourself asking any of these questions?
- How do we keep up with all the people and relationships that are now a part of our family: husband, wife, ex-husband, ex-wife, four sets of grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, and changing birth orders?
- How do we keep up with the various schedules, values, and sets of house rules that are now part of our family?
- How do we parent when our children have “homes” (plural) instead of a home (singular)?
- How do we parent our children well when they are being affected by adult choices they’re not prepared to understand?
- What are the hurts and challenges that are “normal” for a blended family?
- How do we protect our marriage when there are so many things vying for our time and that tend to pull us apart?
- How do we create a single family identity in blended family?
“Coming to accept your unique challenges and opportunities as a stepfamily is a tremendous first step to finding creative solutions to your dilemmas. If you refuse to admit a difference, you inadvertently shut off your ability to learn new, more effective ways of relating (p. 67).” Ron L. Deal in The Smart Stepfamily
If you find yourself asking these kinds of questions, then this seminar is for you. There are many challenges to creating a healthy blended family. This seminar helps you understand the roots of the struggles for each person in the family and the key points of emphasis to create unity in the marriage and family.
“In stepfamilies, the parent-child bonds predate the couple’s relationship, often making the marriage the weakest relationship in the home. And it’s tough to strengthen your marriage when parenting issues constantly push marital closeness to the back burner (p. 23)… There is a honeymoon for couples in stepfamilies, it just comes at the end of the journey and not at the beginning (p. 25).” Ron L Deal in The Smart Stepfamily
GUIDANCE FOR BLENDED FAMILIES
Date: Saturday November 15
Time: 4:00 to 7:30 pm
Location: The Summit Church, Brier Creek South Venue
Address: 2415-107 Presidential Drive; Durham, NC 27703
Cost: Free