Blended Family: Becoming Stepfamily SmartPrøve

Title: Children Are Definitely Part of the Package Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14 [The video portion of this devotional is not available on your device. To view this video, visit your plan at www.youversion.com] Couples who marry and form a blended family are often surprised to discover that stepfamily living is far more complex than they anticipated. They soon learn that their expectations for how quickly the family will harmonize were unrealistic. • Love doesn’t happen instantly. • Being previously married doesn’t necessarily equip you to be married to someone new. • Experience as a parent doesn’t adequately prepare you to be a stepparent. • Children are sometimes slow to embrace a stepparent’s authority and the new family as a whole. • And falling in love as a couple doesn’t mean children want to be a family. Yes, children are most definitely part of the package. Becoming stepfamily smart is how you prevent the unforeseen aspects of blended family living from sabotaging your home. This involves learning all you can about stepfamily dynamics and connecting with others in your church for mutual support. The trick is to work smarter, not harder, and walk with God each step of the way. Your home can be a place of warmth, love, and grace. This series will help get you there. MORE Visit FamilyLifeBlended.com and subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter with information on blended/stepfamily resources for those in stepfamilies and those who know them. Based on The Smart Stepfamily by Ron L. Deal. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Get smart about your stepfamily. Visit FamilyLife Blended™ at FamilyLife.com/blended