Book excerpt: ABOUT THE BOOK "Family" is such a small and simple word to convey such a large, complex and changeable idea. For some people, a family is a very simple concept, with two parents who marry each other, have children, and stay together to watch their children grow up and have babies of their own. But for many other people, the word "family" is not so straightforward, and the definition and dynamics of your family may change over the years. Each new change brings along new challenges and joys. One of the most common ways a family can change is when two people decide to marry each other, and one or both of them already has children. In this case, the wedding is not just about the start of a new couple, but about the beginning of a new blended family. Blended families are very common in the United States. It is estimated that up to 60% of marriages in the United States end in divorce, and also estimated that 65% of those divorced individuals will remarry to form blended families. These statistics suggest that blended families are a very strong presence in the country. Just because blended families are common, however, does not mean that you should expect to be able to all the answers. Each family is unique, and learning how to adjust to new dynamics and find the right mix for your blended family requires plenty of patience and insight. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK For instance, if your old household had a rule about no sugar but your spouse and stepchildren eat junk food all the time, compromise by setting a certain day of the week when people can enjoy sweets and junk food. The rest of the week, people need to eat more healthily and snack on healthy items around the house. If you are used to letting your children go to bed at random times, but your spouse prefers a set bedtime, work together to find an hour that will work for your children and stepchildren. 3. Talk to each other when you are not already angry or confrontational. As emotions rise to the surface, it is natural for your blended family to get in arguments and fights from time to time. If you are not in the habit of discussing things openly with each other, then fights can become especially stressful occasions. Not only are people fighting about the topic at hand, but due to the anger and frustration, all kinds of unspoken problems can suddenly come into the light. This means that even small arguments can escalate into large-scale confrontations. Plus, when your family only has serious talks during fights, it means that you are less likely to be able to intelligently, respectfully deal with the issues and problems... Buy a copy to keep reading! CHAPTER OUTLINE Finding the Perfect Mix for a Blended Family + Introduction + How to Improve your Blended Family Life + Common Mistakes and Simple Fixes + Useful Tips and Tricks to Remember + ...and much more