STEPS TO ENSURE HAPPY BLENDED FAMILIES

✚ COMMUNICATE You may find some difficulty communicating because family members bring with them varying styles of communication, different jargon, and dissimilar body language. With time you’ll blend communication styles, and communication will become easier ✚ KEEP EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC

✚ BE FLEXIBLE Be prepared to change plans. Accommodating more people will inevitably lead to some unpredictability

✚ BE PATIENT Step-parents must move slowly, planting the seeds of love and helping them to grow through respect, caring and appropriate affection. It doesn’t always happen immediately.