Many stepparents have difficulties connecting with their step children. Many stepchildren put up barriers because they miss the presence of their biological parents. Many of them are still in denial and will refuse to have their "real" parents replaced with someone they don't know too well.
Parents.com shared some useful step parenting tips. Hopefully, these tips can help step parents to connect with their stepchildren better.
Being a stepparent can be difficult. Agreeing on some definitions of the role will help. https://t.co/z4Depa3bm2 pic.twitter.com/kWvfUJ2Bw4
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) March 26, 2016
1. Make a strong first impression.
One of the most effective ways for stepparents to connect with their stepchildren is to make a very strong first impression. The best way to make a strong first impression is through a short and simple meeting.
"Anything that puts pressure on the child or that comes across as excessive may backfire and cause the potential stepparent to be rejected," Parents.com shared. "No one wins in a meeting laden with expectations."
2. Allow the kids to grieve.
Stepparenting occurs when a family loses a parent through a divorce or death and is replaced with a new one. It is only natural for kids to miss their biological parents and the family they once had.
Some kids will blame their stepparents for the divorce and others will even try to destroy the relationship between their biological parent and stepparent. The best thing to do is to allow your stepchildren to grieve and to not push yourself to them.
Never talk bad about their biological parent. You can also encourage your stepchildren to share with you happy memories about their biological parent. Display photos of the biological parent, acknowledge his or her birthday and do not prevent your stepchildren's constant communication with him or her.
3. Treat your step children as family, not as special guests.
One of the best stepparenting tips is for stepparents to treat their stepchildren as family and not as special guests. Stepparents can do this by not making too much of a fuss when their stepchildren are around, giving them household chores and attending school events. "Use your creativity and positive thoughts to create environments where relationships with your step-children are encouraged, not stifled," expert and author Ellen Kellner shared with She Knows.
