All Articles for Blended Family

As a single mom turned stepmom, I look to the church for help to heal. But it’s challenging to feel accepted in a place where my family isn’t reflected.

Three ways I’ve helped my stepfamily grieve the deaths of both previous spouses.

From widow and single mother to second wife and stepmom, my soul suffered an identity crisis.

Ten ideas that helped (or would have helped) my family during our first blended year.

Divorce rates aren’t really as bad as the academics were implying.

A new marriage requires learning different forms of affection, communication, traditions, and expectations.

Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but that requires first knowing who we are in Christ.

Strengthen bonds between kids and stepparents by going on a trip that doesn’t fit into the status quo.

When the world is telling you to blame your ex-spouse and embrace bitterness, you can work on turning your thoughts toward a peaceful working relationship.

Three helpful hints I use to navigate the holidays in my blended family.

At Christmas, decisions for an adult child of divorce become especially difficult, with both parents vying for your loyalty and attention.

Your blended family may have another river to cross and a few more battles to face, but don’t give up—significant rewards lie ahead.

Even though the legal rights of a stepparent over his or her stepchildren is limited, love is not limited.

God showed His love for us by bringing the outsider in, and that’s how Christians should love the “extended” members of stepfamilies.

Divorced parents should constantly evaluate themselves and ask if their behavior is helping or hurting their children.

As a stepgrandparent, you can be an important and influential role in the family with a little grace and wisdom.

Biological parents who find themselves caught between their spouse and their child should step out of the conflict as often as possible.

I like to use cooking as an analogy to identify some integration styles that stepfamilies attempt to utilize.

Sex is an important part of remarriage, but a healthy sexual relationship doesn’t necessarily result in a healthy marriage.

Adolescence is a natural time of turmoil in nearly every family.

One of the most menacing dynamics attacking the health of a stepfamily is a destructive parent in the other home.

When you have a new marriage and blended family, it's important to build a respectful working relationship with your ex.

Be prepared to face loss as you celebrate the holidays.

If you are planning to have an ours baby, here are some suggestions to consider for preparation.

Your children will benefit when you make a strong commitment to your new spouse.

Challenges every single parent should consider before deciding to remarry.

A regular dose of fun, relaxing time together is a key part of a dynamic, fulfilling marriage relationship.

Practical suggestions for stepmoms.

Every time David successfully put off another conflict, he stored up resentment toward his wife or stepchildren for “controlling him.”

Have you ever noticed that falling in love makes you oblivious to reality? A couple of years ago onFamilyLife Today®, an interview was aired in which a stepfamily couple and a single mom talk about the challenges of dating when kids are involved. The interview was very insightful. Two years later, we invited the single […]

Blended families live in a different land than first-families.

She did her best to turn our four sons and small community against me.

The world I thought I had perfect control over had turned upside down. But that's when God started teaching me how to walk by faith.

Many couples think that their blended family will flow and function like a biological family, only with different people involved.