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Judy found life with her new companion more complicated than she had anticipated. Alice made frequent visits to her father's home while Judy was there. Judy was uncomfortable occupying the same space as Alice in Arthur's apartment, and more often than not, felt as if she and Alice were competing for his attention and time. |
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Both Arthur and Judy have to preserve the integrity and growth of their relationship while still understanding Alice's feelings. It is up to Arthurnot Judyto set the boundaries for his daughter. Although Alice is also an adult, she is still Arthur's child and is in a parent/child relationship. But, because she is an adult, she should be able to understand more readily than a child that her parent is entitled to make decisions for his own life. Judy is in an intimate adult relationship with Arthur. She is not Alice's parent. But, because she is an older adult, she will have to be patient while Alice adjusts to her father's new relationship. |
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Judy's frustration and anger are real. They are not uncommon for new stepparents. Open communication between the new couple and between parent and child is the best way to navigate these rough waters. The stepparent will have to take a back seat temporarily. |
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The Brady Bunch: Half-Siblings, Stepsiblings, and the New Baby |
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It is no longer unusual for children of divorce to have many new relations when their parents remarry. Although getting used to being part of a blended family is not easy, there are many positives. If parents have the right attitude, and sibling and stepsibling rivalries are worked out, having additional close relationships can be enriching to your children. |
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Half-siblings, where one parent is the biological parent of children living in each home, have closer ties than stepsiblings, where the children are not biologically related. That doesn't mean that the stepsiblings can't develop close relationships with your children. Age, sex, and temperament have a lot to do with the way the new family interacts. |
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There are some specific issues that come up with half-siblings and stepsiblings in a blended family: |
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Jealousy over parents: Whose dad/mom is it, anyway? |
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Sharing spacechildren's need for their own space and privacy. Whose home is it, anyway? Whose room is it, anyway? Whose drawers are they, anyway? Whose bathroom is it, anyway? |
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