So after talking about the importance of family structure, building lasting relationships, raising children, etc. we came to the topic of blended families, divorce, or also loss of a spouse. Situations that we hope would never happen to us, but something I realized as we discussed this topic is how it’s important to understand it. We never want to go through it, but it is important to understand. It may not be you who goes through it, but it could be a loved one.

There is much more that comes along with a divorce then just two people splitting up. And there is more that comes with blended families then just the mom and dad getting married to each other and the whole family moving into the same house. There is other “baggage” that comes along. Other family members, including extended family members are also impacted. When a whole family system is changed more are effected then just the two who broke of the marriage. Children have to adjust to a new parent(s), they have to figure out which biological parent to live with, when they will visit the other parent, they have to deal with the drama for lack of better word between their divorced parents, etc. Extended family has to figure out how to deal with the changes, only to name a few.

Although there are a lot of difficulties and trials that come along with divorce and/or blended families they can still be a great thing, and beneficial to the members of the family. It may take a lot more time to get the family system functioning smoothly, but it can happen. In class we watched the music video of “The Man He didn’t Have to be” by Brad Paisley. It was an incredible and moving example of a positive effect on a blended family. There were also quite a few other students in my class that are actually members of blended families too that have had positive effects. Situations are what we make of them. When we do our very best, then in the end we ultimately come out stronger.