In a recent conversation with a local pastor, I was asked why blending feels so hard for so many. I could give a list of 100+ reasons, but it can be boiled down to this:
We need to stop treating stepfamilies like first families.
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming it'll be the same, because it's nowhere close to the same. The relationships aren't starting from Day One. You are bringing two family histories into one new story - and trying to blend all the parts together. I could go on and on.
I'm curious...What is something that surprised you about blended family life that "first families" don't have to deal with?