THE MUNNJURGENS FAMILY

THEIR BLEND: Andrew Munn, 58, and his children, Elizabeth, 24, and Henley, 22, are now a family with Anna Jurgens, 54, and her kids, Sandy, 27, Robyn, 24, and Geoffrey, 22. The couple moved into Anna’s house a year ago, and they are now building a three-bedroom home nearby where their grown children can gather for visits home and for holidays.

THEIR STORY: Andrew and Anna lived on the same street for 12 years before they became romantically involved. They started as neighbours coping with divorce and raising children, then they became friends who enjoyed activities like biking together. Eventually, it became something more. By the time Anna and Andrew moved in together, after five years of dating, their children had already spread out across the country for school and work.

“I guess we avoided some potential issues that younger blended families can experience, as our kids were adults when we got together,” says Anna. “But we had other issues with raising them as single parents as well.”

Andrew’s kids were just two and four when their parents separated in 1996, and they had to adjust to alternating weeks with their mom and dad. Anna’s were 12, 10 and seven when she separated in 2002. Andrew and Anna both found single parenthood exhausting and lonely. They worried about how their divorces affected their children and wondered if they would find love and happiness again. When sparks finally flew between them, their children were happy.

“It’s easier when kids are grown and out of the house,” says Murray. “It could have less of an impact on the kids’ dayto-day lives, and adult children are more likely to be understanding and accepting of their parents’ new relationship.”

Plus, there was no pressure for the older children to bond with each other. “We never expected them to act like brothers and sisters or be best friends,” says Andrew. “You can’t push grown children to have relationships; we had to accept that and know it was OK. Luckily for us, they all get along.”

THE TAKEAWAY: Even if grown children are protective of their parents, feelings are less likely to be as intense or emotionally charged. “Just because you love your partner doesn’t mean the whole family will get along,” says Murray. “To be able to ask for respect is important, even if there isn’t a relationship and closeness.”