Gary et all --
Don't know (and don't care much) about DVD's, but the blended families does
pique my interest.
Even though I'm an old woman, I was part of attempted blending starting at
about my age of 16. My mom did a royal job of it, though, going through
many boyfriends and marriages after my dad. As a result, I decided to NOT
have that situation in my life, and have been married for a looooong time.
However, I have done a little reading in the area, and the bad news is, it
takes about four years to get step-parents and siblings integrated into a
new family unit that works like a cohesive family. The kids might take
less time to get used to each other, but the four year thing is pretty
common for the new parent to be seen as a parent to the kid.
Keep communicating with your spouse about the kids and your relationship as
well as communicating with the kids. That means a minimum if 30 minutes a
day, every day (and more on weekends!) for you and your spouse. And don't
let the kids convince you that they don't want you in their life, because
they'll try (same for your daughter and your spouse). Some good limits and
good rules made as a group might help -- a framework for everyone to
function within. Stay positive. And have you considered some sort of
family therapy? These things are relatively easy to fix early on, but
harder the longer behaviours get entrenched.
All this and a new baby too? I don't envy you, that's for sure.
Amities
Jo Anne
Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
