If you or your partner have children from a previous relationship and are in the process of creating a new family unit, you may feel you are in uncharted waters. But others have found ways to understand and adjust to the special aspects of life in a blended family.
Partners bring different traditions and beliefs from their previous families.
They may, for example, have conflicting ideas about how to raise children. And the children bring their own histories and values, too. Trying to mesh different traditions and beliefs can result in confusion, frustration and anger. It can be helpful for a recently blended family to move to a new house or apartment as a way of avoiding feelings of having their territory invaded. When this isn't possible, try to use furnishings from each partner's former residence, and let everyone in the family participate in decorating the new home.