blenders are for families too

Don't be fooled by the title of this post.  I'm not some morbid psycho.  Give me a chance to explain myself.  Sometimes in life, well, life happens and families separate.  And then sometimes mom gets remarried, or dad gets remarried, or they both do.  Sometimes the new spouse comes with a bit of baggage we call kids, and would you look at that, we have a blended family.  A yours, mine, and ours kind of situation.  Statistics show that it takes about 2 years for anything thing in a blended family to feel normal.  And even then, the step-parent will more often than not just seem like an aunt/uncle figure to the step-child.  The birth parent will be the one dishing out any heavy discipline.  Consequently the children could get smart and use this to their advantage.  A sort of abuse of power to get just what they want.  What do you think?  I've seen it happen in the movies, is real life the same?

parenting: don't make it too hard

Through being a parent, patience is developed and not only are our kids taught but so are we.  There are so many different approaches to parenting that many of them end up not being as effective as we would like them to be.  There is one method however that does bring in the desired results.  I'm sure you're dying to know what it is.  Drum roll please... It's called active parenting!  It's purpose is to protect and prepare children to be able to survive and thrive in the real world.  You may not believe that there is such a thing, but there is!  You give children/teens choices to create responsibility.  These choices also come with consequences, both negative and positive depending on how the child/adolescent holds up their end of the bargain.  Through this parenting method, children will develop cooperation, respect, responsibility, and courage.  Still don't believe me?  Look it up yourself and give it a try.