Blending After the Death of a Parent
Blended families evolve from loss; either the death of a parent or a parent’s divorce/separation.
When a parent begins a new relationship after loss, the joy and hope that come with finding love again can sometimes shift the focus away from the grief they've experienced. A new partnership can bring the promise of happiness within a family setting once more, this time as part of a blended family.
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For children, however, the experience can be quite different. They may not share the same excitement or sense of renewal. While a parent may be enjoying the early, uplifting stages of a new relationship, a child might still be navigating deep feelings of sadness and missing the parent who has passed away.
Here the focus is on those who have re-partnered with children after the death of a spouse/partner. The following tips are for those with children/stepchildren whose parent has died:​
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Talk openly about the death; it helps children understand that grief is natural
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Accept and respect their feelings and allow them to express emotion
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Encourage them to ask questions; do not worry about having all the answers but focus on letting them know that you care. Questions help children understand and adjust.
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Give them permission to grieve over time; loss is something we journey and learn to live with rather than 'get over'.
Check out my blog by clicking below to contribute your experience or learn from the experiences of other parents whose husband/wife or partner has died.