| |
| |
|
Holidays Information |
|
|
|
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch" Fantasy! When my co-author--Bill Merkel Ph.D.--and I first formed our stepfamily, I had many fantasies about how our family would behave like the "Brady Bunch" over the holidays-- a happy, harmonious, singing-and-dancing unit. Then reality struck, and we couldn't even agree on how to decorate the Christmas tree! Ultimately, we created a "his" side-with multi-colored, blinking lights and tinsel--and a "hers" side-with hand-painted eggs and popcorn strings. Seven years later, I can tell you that trying to create a "Brady Bunch" holiday sets stepfamilies up for failure. Instead, I suggest you follow these tips: 1. Examine and try to let go of your "Brady Bunch" fantasies. 2. Continue "old" holiday traditions with your biological kids while creating new ones for the stepfamily. 3. If the kids don't buy into your fantasy holiday, try to see the world from their point of view. 4. Practice the fine art of silence when your stepfamily is stressed by the holidays. You don't have to share all your negative feelings. 5. Don't compete with your children's "other" parents by showering kids with expensive gifts. 6. Stepmoms, reach out to your stepkids' mother. Buy her a gift. Tell her you appreciate her children. 7. Don't fight with ex-spouses about how much time you will spend with children over the holidays. It only hurts the children 8. Invite your ex-spouses over for a holiday party. Brace for surprises. 9. Join a stepparent support group to share the many feelings about "family" that come up during the holiday season. Lisa Cohn is co-author of "One Family, Two Family, New Family: Stories And Advice For Stepfamilies," a 2004 Gold National Parenting Publications Award winner. For more information, visit http://www.stepfamilyadvice.com. Email her at cohnmerk@comcast.net
MORE RESOURCES:
Holidays - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Lost and Found (A Valentines Day Story) I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding ring and an engagement ring, there was only the narrow gold band."Randy!" I yelped. Ultimate Army Themed Games & Activities for Your Childs Birthday Party Are you looking for the Ultimate Army Themed Party Games and Activities? Well stop looking because they are right here.. Ten Ways To Make The Holidays Easier Next Year What does your holiday season usually look like -- a lot of rushing around at the last minute? The holidays really don't have to require so much effort -- if you plan ahead and spread the work out throughout the year. Here are ten tips for making your next holiday season a snap:PACK YOUR DECORATIONS THE RIGHT WAYI know you will be in a rush to get the house back in order after the holidays are over -- but don't just throw everything in a box. Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine's Day - For Men in Relationships Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get back in the good books, or if you are already there, to get some extra points. Women love to be courted, wooed, treated like princesses. Spend More Time With Your Family This Holiday Season: Host A Caroling Party Too often we forgo entertaining because of the mere thought of all of the preparation that is involved. And more is not better. New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards Forty years ago when I was growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin, my mother always saved the Christmas cards she had received in the mail. In those days, people sent many more Christmas cards than they do now. Making Time to Write this Holiday Season As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is naturally all wrapped up in preparing for the big day (and the eve of the big day and the day after the big day?).Whether it's shopping, baking, or hosting holiday gatherings, you are probably engaged in time-consuming activities related to the season. Fourth of July Quotes MADRID - For millions of Americans, this Fourth of July will be a time of celebration and remembrance of those passed or distanced by war. The annual commemoration of Independence Day has always been a bittersweet time for Americans who evoke the thoughts of Cordell Hull, "I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which loom ahead, our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will triumph. Great Games for Your Halloween Party If you're having a Halloween party you need to play some games! Whether it's to fill the time before the food is ready or to keep the kids occupied before their parents collect them, here are some ghoulish games to play.1) Pin the Wart on the Witch's Nose: Draw or photocopy up a big picture of a witch; get lumps of green play-dough, blindfold each child and let them put a green wart on the witch's face. Ill Be Home For Christmas Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 29, 2004I have been married 25 years. We come from completely different backgrounds. How to Overcome the Overwhelm of the Holiday Season (And Reduce Holiday Stress) The Holiday Season can be a wonderful time of year, filled with lovely decorations, gift exchanges, visits with friends and family and delicious meals. But for many of us, the Holiday Season can also be quite overwhelming with all the added activities such as decorating our homes, selecting, buying, wrapping and exchanging gifts and hosting friends and family while we prepare multi-course elaborate meals! The question is, "What can we do to Overcome Overwhelm during the Holidays?"1. The Only Way to Turn New Year Resolutions Into Reality! So you ate, drank and spent too much over the Holidays. Now you are overweight, bloated, tired and broke, and you are promising yourself that you are going to change all that this year!There are two reasons why New Year Resolutions don't work;1st we try and take on too much,2nd we don't believe in ourselves. A Valentines Day Story Valentine's Day.. Keeping it Simple this Season It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with it! This is the time when we are most tempted to overdo things - shopping, partying, spending. St Valentines Day, Festival of the Matchmakers There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins and the three most likely contenders were all early church martyrs.However, before the Christian Saints, the day started as a festival to honour Juno, Queen of the Roman deities. Create a Holiday Feast For The Senses This is my daughter's first Christmas. Naomi will be nearly nine months old and eager to explore all that the holidays have to offer. Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed plants and poinsettias don't seem to have much in common. If you live in an area where milkweed grows wild, however, you can use the dried milkweed pods to make poinsettia ornaments for your Christmas tree. Texas Exotic Hunting Texas Exotic Hunting is a popular sport in this state. Hog hunting in Texas and dove hunting in Texas are both considered exotic. Make a Golden Christmas Tree Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the holiday arrangements at the department store I was in.I was dazzled by the sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. Alone for the Holidays? Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge may loom especially large during the holidays if you are single or newly divorced and without family around you.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
