The success of your stepfamily depends on the quality of the marriage between the spouses who head it. Fortunately, a blended family can help mend the hurts of a past divorce for adults and children alike by establishing a new marriage that works especially well. Researchers say blended families offer lots of opportunities for the kinds of unselfish acts upon which strong marriages are built, day by day. Virtually all couples experience some letdown during the first year or two of marriage, when they realize a new partner is not going to conform to every expectation. Constructively dealing with the tensions and disappointments that dog every marriage requires hard work, but it's crucial for the health of your stepfamily. Present a united front as a couple to the children, even if it means saying you'll have to talk things over between yourselves before getting back to them with a decision.
