Integrating Stepchildren Into Your Family

After seven years of being the “Brady Bunch” family, I can say that I have finally mastered the art of mothering my children vs. the stepchildren. Now when I say verses, in the beginning that is what it felt like. My children were trying to compete with his children for attention, love, equality and finding their place! In 1999 the family dynamics began with, two 9 year olds (my son, his daughter,) two 6 year olds (my son, his son,) and two 3 year olds (my son, his son.)

I started out being his kids “friend”. I wanted them to like me and not consider me the mean step mom. My kids immediately got jealous and thought that I was being nicer to his kids because I did not discipline his children the same as I would my own.

The other issue that was a huge problem was the “ex”. This was not a good situation, which only put further strain on my relationship with his children, especially his daughter. It didn’t matter that I was nice to them, the fact that me and their mother did not get along set the tone for the relationship. For several years, I wasn’t sure how we were going to make it.

After years of practice and doing the wrong things, here is my list of practical rules for newly integrated families:

1. Treat each other with respect.
2. Always back each other up on decisions.
3. Be fair and consistent with your discipline.
4. Do NOT show favoritism (this is a hard one but do your best, it pays off!)
5. Everyone does chores equally (this creates a REAL family environment.)
6. Make peace with the “ex” (hard, but necessary to save your family.)
7. When arguments occur, both parties involved get the same punishment,(this discourages further conflicts and favoritism claims.)
8. Always take family vacations together (thus creating a family togetherness environment.)
9. Attend all sports, banquets, and special events for ALL the children (they will know you care.)
10. Do not give up (if or should I say when you fall, start back at rule number 1 and repeat the steps as needed until you have perfected them)

Good luck, and may I remind you, it only took me seven years to have a wonderful relationship with my step children as well as their mother. My sincerest hope is that these steps will take off a couple of years of struggle in your quest to integrate stepchildren into your family.