Our Kids: Parenting Step Families - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Our Kids: Parenting Step Families

Parenting step families:

If you're having problems adjusting to a new step family, you should know that your feelings are normal and that help is available.   The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 1 out of 3 Americans is now a stepparent, a stepchild, a step sibling, or some other member of a step family.  More than half of  Americans today have been, are now or will eventually be in one or more step situations during their lives.

Tips for Stepparents:
1.  As a team, develop a discipline plan.  Do not defect from the plan.  

2.  If you don't want your mate to be too harsh with your children, don't be too lenient with them. If you don't want your mate to be too lenient with his or her children, don't be too harsh with them.  

3. Don't expect immediate acceptance by your stepchildren

4. Allow time to get to now your stepchildren before expecting yourself to really care for them

5. If something irritates you, speak directly to your child.  Don't get your spouse to intervene on your behalf

6. Don't feel that you can "change" your child and start disciplining to accomplish this.

7. Always remember that your mate's children are precious to him or her.  When you speak ill of the cub or attack the cub, you can be sure the bear will come after you.  

(Step family Problems:  How to Solve Them By Tom and Adrienne Gardener)