Kids of divorce go through a lot, and as much as we like to think that they forget it, they don’t. With good communication, and lots of patience, they may learn to overcome their emotions, but it never goes away completely.
We were reminded of this one evening at dinner.
We were discussing all sorts of things, and it came around to our family and marriage. Inevitably, we also discussed divorce.
Today, I had the coolest conversation with my ex and my husband. I have to share it with you because it shows the kind of respect that needs to exist for a blended family to work.
So, my ex sent me a text message saying if we didn’t have plans on Sunday, he would like to pick Rebecca up in the morning and bring her back Monday evening. Normally, it would be a no-brainer, yes of course he could, but this Sunday we are having a birthday dinner for Tom, my husband.
I am often asked for my advice on step families, and I always have a hard time coming up with something suitable on the spot.
It’s hard to think of one thing to give as advice. Step families are complex things with so many variables, so it’s hard to know what will work for whoever is asking.
So I thought I would compile a list of things that I have learned over the years.
This morning, I had a little reminder of how our decisions affect our children’s lives.
We were having breakfast, Tom, Rebecca and I, and Rebecca didn’t want to finish her breakfast. Now, don’t think we were forcing her to eat something she didn’t like, not that that would be a first. No, we were having chocolate chip pancakes, as per her request.
Advertisement
Maureen Turner is a social media junkie who has somehow managed to transform some mildly humorous tweets about American Idol into a blog.
What’s her expertise? Keeping the peace, or rather, trying to keep the peace. With one spouse, two ex’s & four children all trying to blend together, it’s not always easy but she somehow makes it work.
Maureen’s here to give you some pointers on how it’s done in her house... and her ex's house... and her husband’s ex's house, and her sister's friend's, and the cousins... oh you get the point! She’ll share the trials and tribulations of being an ex, a step, a women, and a mother – helping to put the F-U in dysfunctional along the way.
In Maureen’s other life, she worked in sports television for almost 15 years and somehow still isn’t a sports fan… unless the kids are playing. She also enjoys writing and has been dreaming of being published since she was a kid. Twitter + Erica Ehm = dream come true!
Follow Maureen on Twitter: @moeturner
Advertisement
