The Unique Challenges of Stepfamilies - Part 4
January 15, 2004 |
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Transcript
When I was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Seattle Seahawks, it was painful and confusing. But in a matter of weeks I became loyal to the Seahawks. Stepfamilies face some interesting similarities. The phrase “old loyalties - new ties” speaks to both situations, but obviously more complications exist within stepfamilies. Loyalties to an old spouse have changed. The loyalty to children from your ex-family continues, but in a new way. The new ties of a stepfamily need a high priority and commitment so you can weather new challenges. Now in football you don’t care much about your old team and they don’t care about you. But with children, families and stepfamilies, the emotions and hurt run far deeper. This calls for a keen emphasis on forgiveness, consideration, and clear communication. Along with these a prioritized commitment to your present marriage is part of the delicate equation of building a positive life as a stepfamily or parent.
*Families Northwest recommends "The Smart Stepfamily" by Ron Deal as a great resource for stepfamily couples. |
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