Blended Family: Many men have trouble making the transition to stepdad in the blended family. Stepfathers who are most successful make no real attempt to control the child's behavior or become the disciplinarian in the family. |
Since over 50% of mothers are still awarded physical custody of their children, men assume the live-in stepparent role in the majority of cases. How men handle their new role as stepfathers affects many people and situations:
Even the life of an ex-wife is affected by the man's role as stepfather. Quite a responsibility for one guy! Many men have trouble making the transition to stepdad. Some try too much too quickly; others try and are rebuked, and retreat into a shell. Still other remain relatively disengaged from the stepchildren. The optimum stepparent is warm and responsive, while communicating well and generating firm, consistent discipline. The arrival of a stepfather in any family is almost guaranteed to create tensions in the new stepfamily. Gradually building a relationship with stepchildren, especially those over four or five years of age, is the best way to succeed.
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