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, researcher, and nonprofit organizer. Her personal experience as a stepfamily member as a child and then as an adult when she married a man with children has given her an intimate understanding of stepfamily dynamics.
Stepfamily Systems is a company that reaches out to men and women in all phases of parenting, from after a separation or a divorce to forming a new stepfamily. Problem resolution programs support separated, divorced, or remarried mothers or fathers. There are also programs for stepparents and grandparents. The company offers an alternative to family law litigation, as well as provides mediation family counseling after an adversarial court battle.
Why Genuine Stepfamilies Are Not the Brady Lot
During the interview, Woodbury lightheartedly commented that the average American has a rather distorted view of stepfamily dynamics because they often believe in the myths portrayed by the unrealistic ideals of the 1970s TV series "The Brady Bunch." Powe agreed that even successfully blended families were not the Brady Bunch, and she talked about how the TV comedy reflected outward ideals, but did not explore the conflicted internal states of family members.
The discussion then shifted to describing how combined families were formed in the first place. Powe recognized a few patterns--like a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mom, adopted children, and households that came together due to the death of a Mom or Dad.
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 8 misconceptions seem specifically harmful to developing sensible relationships in stepfamilies:
1. Love happens quickly between the kid and the stepparent.
2. Children of divorce and remarriage are forever damaged.
3. Stepmothers are generally wicked.
4. Modification to stepfamily life takes place rapidly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological fathers or mothers withdraw.
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, researcher, and nonprofit organizer. Her personal experience as a stepfamily member as a child and then as an adult when she married a man with children has given her an intimate understanding of stepfamily dynamics.
Stepfamily Systems is a company that reaches out to men and women in all phases of parenting, from after a separation or a divorce to forming a new stepfamily. Problem resolution programs support separated, divorced, or remarried mothers or fathers. There are also programs for stepparents and grandparents. The company offers an alternative to family law litigation, as well as provides mediation family counseling after an adversarial court battle.
Why Genuine Stepfamilies Are Not the Brady Lot
During the interview, Woodbury lightheartedly commented that the average American has a rather distorted view of stepfamily dynamics because they often believe in the myths portrayed by the unrealistic ideals of the 1970s TV series "The Brady Bunch." Powe agreed that even successfully blended families were not the Brady Bunch, and she talked about how the TV comedy reflected outward ideals, but did not explore the conflicted internal states of family members.
The discussion then shifted to describing how combined families were formed in the first place. Powe recognized a few patterns--like a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mom, adopted children, and households that came together due to the death of a Mom or Dad.
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 8 misconceptions seem specifically harmful to developing sensible relationships in stepfamilies:
1. Love happens quickly between the kid and the stepparent.
2. Children of divorce and remarriage are forever damaged.
3. Stepmothers are generally wicked.
4. Modification to stepfamily life takes place rapidly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological fathers or mothers withdraw.
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:
Find out more about Struggling Teens. Lon Woodbury has the recorded the entire interview with Tricia Powe on his L.A. Talk Radio show for people to listen to at any time.
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