Share
Life has a way of changing fast, and not everyone adjusts at the same pace.
This 18-year-oldcollege studentwas used to it being just him and his mom after his dad passed away.
Hes not interested, yet his mom and her fiances family think hes wrong for keeping his distance.
Now hes unsure if hes handling the situation the right way.
In fact, according toVeryWell Mind, blended families offer plenty of benefits.
That being said, blending two families isnt always smooth sailingespecially in the beginning.
Everyone takes on new roles, and forchildren, it can be particularly difficult.
Their world isnt the same anymore, and building trust takes time.
Some may feel torn between their biological parents, unsure of how to accept a new family dynamic.
Others might struggle with divided loyalties or simply need space to process the changes.
Pressuring children to immediately get along can have the opposite effectjust like in this story.
Experts suggest starting small.
Friendly, low-pressure interactions can help kids feel more comfortable.
Doing simple activities togetherlike watchingmovies, playing games, or going out somewhereallows trust to grow naturally.
Respecting boundaries is just as important.
Kids shouldnt feel like a stepparent is trying to take over the role of their biological parent.
They might have mixed emotions about the changes, so giving them space to process everything is necessary.
Positive reinforcement can also make a big difference.
And if children act out, its important to handle it with empathy rather than punishment.
Remember that change brings up feelings of discomfort and manifests differently in every child.
Check out the results: