The Coming-Together Stage. Relationships are becoming familiar, parts of the family are operating smoothly, and members are learning to resolve issues. Hope is renewed. The Resolution Stage. Optimism returns and the future looks better.
Family members can relax and start to be themselves.
Methods for resolving conflict have been learned and can be used as needed. Family ties are growing. A family is what we make it. Remember this as you move through the different stages of evolving a stepfamily and learn to get along with the ex or exes, the his, the hers, and possibly the ours of children, plus the cousins, the grandparents, the aunts, and the uncles. You can move through conflicts, be stepkin, and form the new American family of the 21st century.