Archive for April, 2010

Steps to get your Stepdaughter to stop making life unpleasant

1. Step back. Take a good look around. Are you unintentionally
   being mean or unfair? If not, got to step two. If yes, ask your
   stepdaughter what you can do to be a better step-parent. This will show
   your teen that you are truly interested in making the situation more
   bearable. And you may be pleasantly surprised with an honest answer
   which will help you to adjust and adapt to your new step-family
   situation.
2. Take her shopping. Ask her which stores she wants to go to,
   and don’t force her to leave her chosen store just because you don’t
   like the store. Don’t expect to be able to buy her love, but this does help if you can find some common ground like shopping together.
3. Invite her to a surprise outing. Don’t tell her where you are
   going, but take her to some cool vintage tea or coffee shop where you
   will be able to have a nice conversation. Go to Starbucks only as a
   last resort. Starbucks is not the atmosphere you want. Pick a local
   place that has a very artsy and cozy feeling. The object is
   conversation away from the combat-zone of home. If you can connect
   (even a bit) on neutral ground, it will make being home a bit easier
   until you can work out where you stand with each other.
4. Ask her what YOU (The Step-mom) can do to make this transition easier. Do
   not blame her for any reason! She will feel resentful of your
   accusations and not want to talk with you. This is very important! Your marrying her Father was probably not her choice, so helping her to adjust to the new situation is what you are wanting looking for in this step.
5. And always remember that children DO grow up and move away.
   If you have married her Father, then it is the Father that you are
   wanting to spend your life with — not the child, necessarily. Make the
   best of the situation with the step-child, but keep in mind that the
   end goal is to spend your life with your husband. The step-child will
   move away eventually and you can enjoy the life you envisioned with her
   Father. Sometimes the most you can hope for is to tolerate the child
   …

Read more…Get Your Stepdaughter to Stop Making Your Life Unpleasant – Family Life Wiki

After a separation and divorce – Parent Easy Guide

After a separation and divorce, most parents want to work out plans for how their children will live. For some this works without too much hassle, but others may need to go to the Family Court to sort out future parenting arrangements. Sometimes parents just can’t agree.

Read more…After a separation and divorce – Parent Easy Guide – Stepfamily Wiki

Which do you find harder- being a stepmother or a single mother?

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