North Carolina Divorce Lawyers BlogCelebrating the Beauty of Blended Families
In honor of National Stepfamily Day on September 16, we’re taking the opportunity to shed light on the beauty of blended families.
Modern-day families come in all shapes and sizes and, while they may not look the way a “traditional” family once did, they are full of love. If you’re one of the millions who are lucky enough to fall into this category, National Stepfamily Day is the perfect opportunity to gather together and celebrate the special bond your family shares. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of blended families that prove many of the greatest relationships don’t come from the blood we share, but from those we choose to spend our lives with.
Common Types of Blended Families
While blended families come in all shapes and sizes, they can often be categorized into a few common structures: simple, complex, mixed, and adult child.
Simple Blended Family
A simple blended family is one where only one partner has children from a prior relationship. Now, don’t let the name fool you; just because it’s called “simple” doesn’t mean there can’t be challenges, especially at the start of the relationship during the adjustment period. However, a simple blended family allows for a special connection between the formerly childless partner and their new stepchildren, where they can learn and discover the joy of being a parent. This experience is very special for each family member.
Complex Blended Family
A complex blended family is one where both partners have children from previous relationships. Complex blended families can sometimes be, well, complex, with an adjustment period as everyone learns and settles into a new dynamic. These families are also exciting and offer kids the chance to build friendships with new siblings they will treasure for a lifetime. Parenting in a complex blended family may feel tricky, but with patience, time, and ample amounts of love, it can become a fulfilling experience for everyone.
Mixed Blended Family
A mixed blended family is where partners with children from previous relationships have a biological child together. The birth of a new family member is a joyous occasion and joins the two parts of the family together in a very special way. Mixed blended families come in all sizes, and the parents may choose to have numerous kids together, bringing the phrase “love doesn’t divide – it multiplies” to life.
Adult Child Blended Family
In an adult child blended family, two partners who are either widowed or divorced marry later in life after their children are grown. Bonding among new siblings can be more challenging with adult children, but gathering together whenever possible is a great way to deepen these important relationships.
No matter what your blended family looks like, being surrounded by those you love and who love you in return is a true gift. Take the time this National Stepfamily Day to show your family how much they mean to you and celebrate your unique bond! Woodruff Family Law Group is proud to offer creative family law solutions to the North Carolina Triad area. We handle the most complex cases to help you find a solution that’s right for you!