There is an increasing amount of "blended families" in Western society. Blended families are not broken, and certainly do not need fixing; the desperate need to be understood is essential, especially for the sake of the children involved.
Definition of a family; healthy or otherwise.
family [fam´ĭ-le]
1. a group of people related by blood or marriage or a strong common bond, such as those descended from a common ancestor, or a husband, wife, and their children.
2. a taxonomic category below an order and above a genus.
Blended family a family unit composed of a married couple and their offspring including some from previous marriages.
Dysfunctional family one in which adult caregivers are unable to consistently fulfill their family responsibilities.
Extended family a nuclear family and their close relatives, such as the children's grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Nuclear family a family consisting of a two-generation relationship of parents and children, living together and more or less isolated from their extended family.
Family processes the psychosocial, physiological, and spiritual functions and relationships within the family unit; for nursing diagnoses, see under process.
Skewed family a family in which one spouse is severely dysfunctional and the other spouse assumes an acquiescent, peacemaking stance to maintain equilibrium.
Stated very clearly above are the different states of a family. Note that there are many families that are blended and function very well, provided the adults in the family are function in a healthy and appropriate manner.
It isn't blended families that need "fixing", it is the family in Western society on a general basis. Statistics clearly indicate that children are suffering greatly with the lack of a strong parental guidance; especially from a Father.
Prisons today are filled with criminals who did not have a healthy Father figure in their lives. Children with drug and alcohol problems are victims of absent Fathers.
Blended families are able to function in a healthy, nurturing atmosphere where both parents love each other, and are able to provide not only the basic needs children need growing up, but are able to love the child irrigardless of where the child originated from; adopted or otherwise.
Loving unconditionally toward each other as parents; giving and receiving hugs, especially in front of the children, and yes it's ok for your children to see you kiss each other. Loving the children, and teaching them to love each other, is the key to every healthy family.
Learn all you are able about how to be a better parent. How to blend a family and take classes within the community or local church.
Make sure parents are the only ones living life to the fullest. It's essential the children are too.
Book resourse: Blended Family Advice: A step-by-step guide to help blended and step families become strong and successful [Kindle Edition]
MA LPC Shirley Cress Dudley (Author)
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