73 - Blended Families - Step Parenting, Half Siblings and Creating a Healthy Loving Household - Relationship Renovation: Marriage Advice, Intimacy & Couples Communication

40% of families in the U.S. are blended with at least one partner having a child from a previous relationship before marriage. Per the U.S. Bureau of Census, 1300 new stepfamilies are formed each day. The process of blending a family is a significant stressor on new relationships and profoundly effects the children in the family system. Unfortunately many couples in blended families do not address the challenging dynamics until the problems become chronic. By normalizing and addressing many common stressors couples and families gain the ability to feel empowered and proactive in creating healthy family habits. Part of what helps some stepfamilies be more successful rests on the children's perceived with both parents inside the home.

Having a blended family themselves Tarah and EJ discuss their experience of parenting/step parenting. They share challenges they face(d) in remaining empathetic to each other's experiences and how they have seen families address and feel successful in building a solid foundation for their blended family.