When a couple with kids divorce, they feel it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done until one of them remarries, and the new spouse has children. This is where the test starts, as blending a family is not as easy as some movies make it.
Couples who have children within the same age group expect them to connect instantly, but that is not always the case. Underlying resentment or lack of acceptance of the new family breeds conflicts, and if not checked, may send the newly blended family unit crashing.
Fortunately, there is hope for those who want to succeed in resolving blended family issues. Planned family activities have shown, in the long run, to have a powerful impact on families’ functionality and help them create a stronger bond. Here’re ten activities to strengthen the blended family bond.
1. Game and Movie Night
Nothing takes away blended family issues like game and movie nights. Yes, indeed, competition sometimes breeds conflict, but in this case, it can be a healthy conflict.
Pick games everyone in the family can play. A good example is charades and card games. If adults in the family do not want to play games, they can watch a sporting channel and engage in healthy esports predictions.
For movies, choose what everyone can watch, most preferably a family-centered comedy.
2.Take Family Walks
This exercise might seem daunting, but it has excellent bonding capabilities. Go on walks as a family through your neighborhood or park.
The children who are old enough to ride scooters or bicycles can do so, while the adults engage in conversation and watch them from a distance.
3. Schedule Family Meals
Firstly, note breakfast does not qualify as a family meal for most households. The kids are rushing off to school, and adults are getting ready to leave for work. A planned family meal should be dinner.
It affords everyone a relaxed and calm environment where they can talk about their day and engage in light banter. In a blended family where everyone is already an adult, Sunday dinners might be best; schedule it weekly, fortnightly, or monthly depending on your family needs.
4. Schedule Prayer Times
There’s a saying, a family that prays together stays together. However, this would apply to only religious families and often works in helping them bond. If your family is not religious, you can replace this with words of affirmation or discussions on subjects that matter to you.
5. Have Date Nights
Date nights are not only for married couples or singles in a relationship. When considering activities to strengthen the blended family bond, date nights should be top on your list.
The children can go out together or gender-pair with one of the parents. Another bonding move here is for the children to go out with their step-parent.
6. Go on Vacations
The home environment can be confining, especially if you spend all your time with the same people all year. Families trying to bond should call time-outs and go on vacations to allow everyone to let their hair down and relax. Be intentional about this, and do it consistently.
7. Plan Equal Celebrations
If you want to avoid blended family issues, it is crucial everyone feels included and receive the same treatment. One way to achieve this is ensuring everyone gets celebrated the same way and reprimanded similarly for the same offense. If a child had a huge birthday celebration, the next child should have an equally big party.
8. Volunteer Together
Another thing that works effectively in helping a family bond is volunteering. Choose a cause everyone is passionate about, or one you want to make a family tradition, and start from there. It could be a soup kitchen or an animal shelter, as long as the family gets to spend time together.
9. Read and Learn Together
Bedtime stories are still as compelling as they were decades ago despite the technological world of today. Reading bedtime stories to children in a blended family affords good bonding time, especially with non-biological parents. If the child happens to be inquisitive and asks many questions, answer them calmly, and allow them to learn.
10. Engage in Community Activities
One thing about starting a blended family is one or both families would have to move to a new neighborhood with different people.
It’s therefore vital to engage in a community activity like a bake or garage sale. Doing this gives your family time to bond with each other and members of their community.
Be Intentional
New beginnings are sometimes scary, especially if you do not know what to expect. The key to succeeding as a blended family is taking one day at a time, not overthinking things, and spending quality time together. Be intentional about making it work by carrying out these activities to strengthen the blended family bond.
These are all great suggestions, thank you!
Thanks Stephanie for your feedback.