The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Recently I meet (via Twitter) a great resource for helping blended families with excellent tips, resources and articles. Today, more and more families are facing this type of family unity. Successful Coparenting in a Blended Family By Shirley Cress Dudley You’ve said good-bye to your ex, and have embarked on an exciting life with your new spouse. But- your ex is still in your life. You continue to maintain contact with him or her because it is in the best interest of the children. Successful co-parenting requires some extra effort, but is very important for your kids. Keep it Focused on the Kids Communication should be limited to conversations about the kids. It’s no longer necessary to share day-to-day events with your ex, vent about your day, or talk about anything not related to your kids. Your relationship with you ex is now based solely on the kids. Keep it Sane Don’t take your ex-spouse’s emotions personally. Sometimes your ex will express inappropriate or exaggerated feelings. A...

Source: Connect with Kids “The challenges were having my kids listen to Gladys and having her kids listen to me – they didn’t.” – Michael Uhri, a father Every year, the parents of one million children get divorced. And every day, 1,300 new step-families are formed. Those first days and months aren’t easy, but studies show that kids who live in step-families are happier than children whose parents never re-marry. When Gladys and Michael decided to marry, it wasn’t just one plus one … it was four plus four. Two families of divorce were joining each other, and the kids didn’t like it. “We didn’t get along AT ALL,” says Tiffany, now 14 years old. “I didn’t like having a whole new family,” says Ashley, 15. Michael’s kids resented Gladys, and her kids wouldn’t listen to him. “They stayed in their own room a lot; they found things to do by themselves a lot,” Gladys says. Divorce is hard enough on children, but when a divorced parent remarries, joining a new family can be an emotionally diffi...