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Tricia Powe, an Executive at Stepfamily Systems Co-parenting Center, talked with Lon Woodbury on L.A. Talk Radio about exactly why the numerous types of stepfamilies and blended families are not the Brady Bunch.
Background
Tricia Powe is a co-parenting mediator and stepfamily assimilation strategist. She is also a top researcher and nonprofit pathfinder. Her personal experience as a stepfamily member was first as kid, then as an adult when she wed a man with kids and became a stepmom. These experiences have actually provided her with an intimate understanding of stepfamily dynamics.
Stepfamily Systems is a company that connects to those in various stages of parenting, from after separation or divorce to those in the midst of stepfamily development. Dispute prevention and problem resolution programs support clients who are separated or divorced. These programs also help remarried Moms or Dads, stepparents and grandparents. The company is another option to family law litigation and it is also an alternative to mediation family counseling after an adversarial court procedure.
Why Real Stepfamilies Are Not the Brady Bunch
Woodbury began the interview by lightheartedly commenting that the typical American has a rather distorted view of stepfamily characteristics due to the fact that they often believe in the misconceptions represented by the impractical sitcom of the 1970s Television show "The Brady Bunch." Powe readily agreed to this observation and said that even efficiently blended families were not the Brady Bunch. She discussed how the television comedy mirrored simple solutions but did not probe into the conflicted internal states of the main characters.
The conversation then switched to trying to understand how combined households were formed in the first place. Powe outlined a, few common patterns: a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mom, adopted kids, and households that came together due to the death of a parent.
Powe outlined 8 popular misconceptions of stepfamilies that made it difficult for combined family members to get along. These myths caused unlikely expectations and enhanced conflict in a recently formed family.
Myths are erroneous beliefs that powerfully influence the way people in stepfamilies react to one another. These myths can be stumbling blocks to creating a harmonious, integrated family.
The following eight myths appear to be particularly damaging to creating realistic relationships in stepfamilies:
1. Love takes place instantly between the child and the stepparent.
2. Kids of divorce and remarriage are always permanently scarred.
3. Stepmothers are wicked.
4. Adjustment to stepfamily life occurs rather quickly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological Dads or Moms are taken out of the picture.
6. Stepfamilies formed after a Mom or Dad dies are simpler.
7.Part-time stepfamilies are easier.
8. There is only one kind of family.
Powe laid out the fallacies behind these beliefs and provided sensible and realistic solutions to conflicts. Although real stepfamilies are not the Brady Bunch, understanding the misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations behind the eight misconceptions greatly helps in resolving disputes in blended families.
Background
Tricia Powe is a co-parenting mediator and stepfamily assimilation strategist. She is also a top researcher and nonprofit pathfinder. Her personal experience as a stepfamily member was first as kid, then as an adult when she wed a man with kids and became a stepmom. These experiences have actually provided her with an intimate understanding of stepfamily dynamics.
Stepfamily Systems is a company that connects to those in various stages of parenting, from after separation or divorce to those in the midst of stepfamily development. Dispute prevention and problem resolution programs support clients who are separated or divorced. These programs also help remarried Moms or Dads, stepparents and grandparents. The company is another option to family law litigation and it is also an alternative to mediation family counseling after an adversarial court procedure.
Why Real Stepfamilies Are Not the Brady Bunch
Woodbury began the interview by lightheartedly commenting that the typical American has a rather distorted view of stepfamily characteristics due to the fact that they often believe in the misconceptions represented by the impractical sitcom of the 1970s Television show "The Brady Bunch." Powe readily agreed to this observation and said that even efficiently blended families were not the Brady Bunch. She discussed how the television comedy mirrored simple solutions but did not probe into the conflicted internal states of the main characters.
The conversation then switched to trying to understand how combined households were formed in the first place. Powe outlined a, few common patterns: a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mom, adopted kids, and households that came together due to the death of a parent.
Powe outlined 8 popular misconceptions of stepfamilies that made it difficult for combined family members to get along. These myths caused unlikely expectations and enhanced conflict in a recently formed family.
Myths are erroneous beliefs that powerfully influence the way people in stepfamilies react to one another. These myths can be stumbling blocks to creating a harmonious, integrated family.
The following eight myths appear to be particularly damaging to creating realistic relationships in stepfamilies:
1. Love takes place instantly between the child and the stepparent.
2. Kids of divorce and remarriage are always permanently scarred.
3. Stepmothers are wicked.
4. Adjustment to stepfamily life occurs rather quickly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological Dads or Moms are taken out of the picture.
6. Stepfamilies formed after a Mom or Dad dies are simpler.
7.Part-time stepfamilies are easier.
8. There is only one kind of family.
Powe laid out the fallacies behind these beliefs and provided sensible and realistic solutions to conflicts. Although real stepfamilies are not the Brady Bunch, understanding the misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations behind the eight misconceptions greatly helps in resolving disputes in blended families.
About the Author:
Lon Woodbury, the founder of Struggling Teens, has recorded the entire interview with Tricia Powe on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to at their convenience.
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