Blended families have the hardest day to day lives, and even harder holidays. You have to share week to week, month to month, and some of the biggest days of the year that you spend months preparing for? It's not right, it's not fair and it's extremely frustrating. Here are some basic tips and Tricks to get through the holidays or even birthdays and make it to see another day.
1. If possible, schedule a different day for the holiday. Christmas is on December 25th sure but what is Christmas without family. Would it honestly kill the whole mood to push it to the 27th or move it up to the 18th? No. Family makes the holidays bright and merry not the other way around. Look at it this way, if you do push it back you will catch after Christmas deals to!
2. What do you do if extended family is upset they won't get to see the children or family is in town for a short time? Scheduling again will not hurt anyone. Work schedules are hard to adjust but if you want something bad enough, you'll make it happen one way or another. Just as upset as they are they don't get to see the children, the kids are upset to I'm sure. Nobody really wins in a situation like this make the best of it anyways.
3. If you are not sure the next time you will be together. First off I'm sorry you are in that situation, I've been there. Secondly, carry on the best you can. There will no doubt be a void, maybe try to make a new tradition to help focus on the positive. Still buy gifts they could grow out of it sure, but you could always give the gifts away if they don't want them at a later time. It will show them you still held their place even if time didn't.
4. If you only get them for part of the holiday, enjoy the part you get them for as much as you can! Don't focus on the fact they won't be there the whole time. Focusing on an empty glass never fills it up. Do the most important parts of the holidays in the time you get together.
5. Siblings will not always understand they very well maybe in a sunken mood because of it. If they are acting out, try to understand they don't like it anymore then you do. They still have feelings. I've seen kids as young as 2 years old show a reaction to their sibling leaving or not seeing them for a while. They also feed off of the adults that are around them they know when something is wrong.
6. If your spouse is dreading the holidays knowing their biological kiddos will not be around, show them extra love and support. Make sure they are comfortable with whatever the plans are they need their child to feel included. Of course all of this goes without saying but some need a reminder.
If you have anymore different things your family does to make these times easier, comment below and share, you may make someone else's days better.
