Discipline and Boundaries in Blended Families

Bright Family

A necessary part of being happy and healthy is having peace in the home.
No family is free from the occasional bickering and disagreements but when there is a firm foundation of respect, boundaries, love and understanding, a general feeling of peace and security can be achieved.
When two parents are blending their families together to create a new union, the road to serenity gets a whole lot bumpier. The rules are different with a blended family as opposed to a traditional one. This is especially true when it comes to discipline and consequences. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration.

Family Gets Blurred

• The natural parental bond
• Underlined resentment
• Undefined roles
• Selfish emotional releases
• The power struggle
• Misdirected anger
• The impact of the absent parent

The biggest hurdle that most blended families face is discipline. This is a huge hot button for many step-parents and when it is handled poorly, it can have irreversible consequences for the whole family.
Step-parents can be a huge gift, Every child can benefit from having another person in their life to love, support and encourage them! It is important to remember that the relationship will never be the same as it would if the adult was the biological parent however.
A marriage or union between two adults does not automatically transform into a parental bond between the adult and child. Once we decide to disassemble the traditional family and create a new version, we must also disassemble our idea of what those relationships need to look like.
There certainly needs to be boundaries established (for all) and a level of respect established but it is extremely important to resist the urge to pretend that any other adult can fill a natural parents roll.

The article below answers common step-parent discipline questions and gives insight to the important contribution step-parents can make.

Step Parents Discipline and Disagreements

In any family, the goal is always to live in harmony and peace while loving and supporting each other. Blended families are very common now, lets work together and help each other redefine the rules and how each person contributes to that family.
Our family structures have changed, the way we approach them should change as well.

Tips For Reducing Stress

Stress is a very powerful force.
An appropriate amount of stress can be motivating and encouraging whereas excess stress can cause physical, mental, social and financial problems in our lives.
Stress can creep up on you and simply make life harder than it has to be. When the little irritants begin to add up and the joy in life isn't as easy to see as it once was, it is time to stop, take a breath and ask yourself what's going on.

• Do you find yourself viewing the world in a very negative way?
• Do you experienced dramatic mood swings?
• Is your patience with others running short?
• Do you dread doing daily activities?
• Have your eating habits changed?
• Have your sleeping habits changed?
• Is it hard to concentrate?

These are just a few of the many symptoms that stress may be taking over. When your stress meter begins reaching the red zone, it is time to take charge before it takes over. 
Life is too short to spend it upset, angry or indifferent.
There are a few things each of us can do to reclaim the power over our personal disposition and state of mind.

1. Accept what you cannot change and focus on something positive
2. Avoid saying negative things for 24 hours. This is really hard at first but it gets easier I promise!
3. Give yourself 10 minutes of quite time per day. No TV, computers, phones, kids or music
4. Surround yourself with positive quotes and/or images
5. Listen to calming or upbeat music
6. Do something kind for someone else who doesn't expect it
7. Find the positive in every situation
8. Count your blessings
9. Surround yourself with uplifting, happy people. Misery loves company, don't give it any
10. Smile

For a more detailed list of anti-stress tips, check this out.
It may make tomorrow better and the next day even better than that!
How To Replace Stress with Internal Peace

Serving Size Questions Answered

Does anyone else out there get totally confused and overwhelmed with all the information about what to eat to be healthy? The part that seems to trip me up the most is the portion sizes.
How much am I supposed to eat in each meal? How many meals per day? How many calories should I eat if I want to lose weight but still stay energized? Is there a simple way to figure out how many calories I'm consuming?
This article has all of the answers about serving sizes, nutrition labels, calorie intake and even which US states have the greatest obesity problem!

What is a Serving Size

Many of us want to feel great and look our best! The food we chose and how we consume it is the first step to making those goals a reality.
When we support and encourage each other, we all win.

Our Past Does Not Decide Our Future

All people have baggage and scars from their past and childhood.

The key is to;

• Acknowledge they exist
• Identify what they are and the cause
• Embrace them as part of who we are

Our past circumstances and the choices of others are not our burden to bear.

The scars that are created do not define who we are or make us victims.

Look at all of who you are as an individual and as a member of society.

Embrace the strong parts while striving to improve the weak.

Our journey is our own.

No other person, past or present has the power to determine our personal direction or destination.

Claim your power; it is the greatest gift to yourself.

   

Green Tea Fruit Smoothie

Green Tea has been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure, burn fat and it contains a high level of antioxidants.
The Green Tea Fruit Smoothie is a delicious way to get both the recommended  daily Green Tea serving and the 1 1/2 - 2 cups fresh fruits. 
The taste is light, fresh and easy to drink anytime of the day.  

Green Tea Fruit Smoothie

• 4 ice cubes
• Strong brewed green tea (2 tea bags seeped in 3/4 cup water)
• 1 pear with skin
• 1 nectarine with skin
• 1 pealed kiwi
• 1 tablespoon liquefied coconut

Blend all ingredients and enjoy a cold, creamy, delicious way to get healthy.

Pomegranate Delight

Pomegranate juice is one of the super foods that is at the top of the smoothie ingredients list for me!
The flavor is tart and super sweet at the same time which makes it a perfect paring for all berries, bananas and tropical fruits.
The taste alone makes this juice one of my all time favorites but the tremendous healthy benefits just push it right over the edge.
When all these ingredients are combined, you are left with a smoothie that is full of antioxidants, vitamin C, protein, fiber and iron.

 

4 ice cubes

1 cup pomegranate juice

1 apple (core the apple but don't remove the skin)

1 banana

2 handfuls spinach

2 tablespoons chia seeds

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy this tangy, sweet, refreshing and healthy smoothie!