Adopting? Preparation Is Key to A Successful Blended Family
If you already have a biological child and plan to continue adding to your family with adopted children, then it’s time to think about how you’ll blend your family together. This can be a somewhat complex situation, depending on how your own child responds to fostering or adopting another child, so it is a good idea to talk to them about their feelings and what you expect once you begin the adoption process.
Making a blended family successful is possible, especially if you can follow a few simple rules. Here are four things that you can do to make blending your family easier, whether you have children now, are adopting children from different backgrounds or are planning to adopt a stepchild.
Promoting peace in your blended family
Promoting peace and positivity in your blended family is possible. Three things that you can do to start are to be patient, consistent and respectful.
Patience is important when merging families
To start with, being patient is essential. Children who are used to being the only ones in the home or living elsewhere may take time to settle into the new routine. Be patient if their emotions are running high, and do your best to deal with difficult situations with grace.
Consistency is key
To make blending families from different backgrounds easier, remember that consistency will be key. Talk to your current family members about expectations before bringing a new family member into the fold. Once you bring home an adopted child or children, make sure that they also have the same rules as others. You should be consistent with the rules, expectations and environment they live in.
Respect should be freely given
Finally, there is respect. While some say that respect is earned, respect really should be freely given. Explain that you expect others to respect you and each other, and then give them the respect they deserve as well.
Blending families can be hard, but if you focus on these things, the process may be easier than you expect. It may take time, but your family can come together and grow stronger as a unit.