What makes a blended family?

Keep in mind that the term "blended or stepfamily" doesn't require a marriage. The terms indicate that there is an addition to the family, either a new mate, parent and/or child. You don't want to have your child(ren) grow-up to despise their stepparent experience, so we must acknowledge that our blended family requires a methods of communicating that differ from nuclear families. Our families can flourish and build legacies just as nuclear families!