With the divorce rate hovering steadily at the 50% mark in many countries including most of North America, it should be no surprise that there are an increasing number of blended families coming together everyday. The idea of a blended family can have great benefits but can also have its troubles.
Integrating children into a new family unit, often with new step-siblings, new routines and even a new home can be stressful. There are a lot of changes that still come after the wedding. Just getting along can sometimes be the easy part. Blending you and your children into a new family can be rewarding, but often requires very careful and thoughtful handling.
Always remember that this new family was your idea. Your kids have to come along for the ride, so making them part of the decision making process will empower them to feel more involved. If you are looking at Phoenix real estate, or in any other part of the country for a new home for your blended family, here are a few things that you should keep in mind during your search.
Timing
In many cases, mom and dad could both have to sell a previous home prior to being able to move into their new place. This can be financially strapping for many families. Before you make any final deals, make sure that at least one of the homes has been sold. You don’t want to add any money and budget issues into all the other stresses that go with moving. With at least one part of the family being able to get your new place ready, you can all move in once both homes are sold.
Location
The area where you will find your perfect new home will be the key to your blended family balance. There may be custody requirements to consider if one parent’s children are mandated to stay within a certain distance of their other parent. School transportation can become an issue. You may end up with several children that all are currently attending other schools and need to be accommodated. Check out the transportation and bus options in the area before you make any commitments.
Involve Everyone In Decision Making
Your house will never really feel like home until every family member is happy with the new situation. Try to involve all of the kids in the decision making process and show them that their opinions matter. Take the whole family on your house tours and let them have a say about their favorites. Kids want to know that they are not just an afterthought when it comes to choosing the house for your new family.
Living Space
With a larger family, you are likely going to need more space. Depending on your circumstances, some of the children may not live with you full time. If your budget is an issue, you can consider having part-time children share a room for the weekends when they are with you. A multi-floor house plan is ideal for larger families, giving you more options for living spaces and allowing you to spread out.
Two bathrooms is a must for a big family. If possible, the ideal situation is to at least have one bathroom separate just for the kids and one for mom and dad.
