4 Ways To Manage Your Emotions as a Stepparent
Over the years I have been blessed to write for Ron Deal at Family Life, one of the most respected voices on blended families and author of the best selling books The Smart Step-Family, The Smart Stepdad, The Smart Stepmom, and others.
Blending families comes with many challenges for which there is no blueprint. One of the most stressful aspects is navigating the relationships between stepparents and stepkids. Because every stepparent and biological parent wants this to go well, this endeavor can be wrought with anxiety and fear. When tensions run high, there’s little space left in the environment for healthy relationships to thrive.
Nick and Sarah were at a dead end when they came to see me. Sarah had been trying to bond with Nick’s two kids over the course of their two-year marriage. The kids, 8 and 10, often disrespected her, and they rarely had positive interactions. The rejection left her feeling defeated. Where Sarah once tried to be involved and present in their lives, her frustrations soon caused her to retreat into her own world of interests to distract herself from the stress her stepkids brought her. When they were home, she avoided interacting with them by staying busy or leaving the house.
Nick felt Sarah had no interest in his kids, leaving him disappointed and questioning their decision to be married.
