Stepfamilies, also known as blended families, are more than ever the norm. In fact, 65 percent of remarriages now include children from previous relationships. Yet the evolution from two separate families to one blended family continues to present a distinct set of challenges. Stepfamilies are more complicated than traditional families, but they also provide a unique opportunity for everyone involved to experience real gains and rewards.
Each one of us knows an adolescent athlete…daily practices and weekly games added to a demanding academic course load and the product is an extremely busy child. Grabbing a pop tart and some lunch money on the way to the bus is all too common. Rarely drinking water and nothing substantial to eat prior to practice rounds out the typical adolescent athlete’s diet during a school day.
By Dale Atkins
Who could argue the value of children learning early about the importance of giving their time and money to others? By understanding what it means to be charitable, children can focus on the larger world. They can appreciate the inter-connectedness of all people as they pay attention to the reality that some live in less fortunate circumstances than others. Finally, they learn that each of us has the ability and responsibility to contribute to making the world a better place.
