Being a blended family

Yes, DR. Phil again - I am becoming a 'blended' family, and so far the blending has gone quite well.
SO, on looking for advice, I saw Dr Phil said this :

"Kids join our lives, we don't join theirs," says Dr. Phil.


It's important to understand that kids eventually move on with their lives, and you have to make decisions that are right for you.

( WEM _ I've ALWAYS said this - nice to hear it from a 'expert' tho)
Kids may think it's all about them, but that's not the case.

"I think we've raised kids in this generation to have the idea that everything is all about them," says Dr. Phil. "It's like, 'He's my dad, he is supposed to take care of me. He's not supposed to be going out doing something I don't want him to do, particularly when it's not with my mother or me.'"

Take on new roles.

Dr. Phil, "Your role has been the one of peacemaker, and the problem with that is you can't choose how others feel." Stop trying to make everybody happy. Adjust your role.

The only person you can control is you.

"The greatest stress we can ever face in our life is when we're being held responsible for things we don't control," says Dr. Phil, explaining that if step parent and child don't get along, they're competent, articulate, family members, and they will probably work it out. "You've got to let people own their own feelings and emotions instead of you holding yourself responsible for them," he says.

(WEM _ Plus Rome wasn't built in a day - you gotta give it time to 'percolate' - after all that's how you get a perfect cup of coffee!)

And I LOVE coffee!

Hey, I'm no expert, but I'm willing to learn new tricks and get advice - you can't ask for much more hey????


Give yourself permission to pursue your happiness, your own life and your own choices.

"You have to decide," Dr. Phil tells Ken, "'I have the right to love this woman/man. I have the right to pursue my life and, in fact, I have a responsibility to do it.' You have the right to move on without guilt. You haven't betrayed anyone because you fell in love and got a partner."