Tricia Powe, the Executive Director of Stepfamily Systems Co-parenting Center, discussed with Lon Woodbury on L.A. Talk Radio why the various types of stepfamilies and blended families are not the Brady Bunch.
Background
Tricia Powe works as a co-parenting mediator. She's also involved in stepfamily assimilation strategy, does academic research, and is a well-known nonprofit leader. Her individual experience as a stepfamily member--first, a step child, then as a stepmother--has actually provided her with a deep comprehension 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 moved to how blended families were formed. Powe identified a, few patterns like a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mother, adopted children, and families that came together due to the death of a parent.
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 different individuals in stepfamilies. These myths can be stumbling blocks to developing a harmonious 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 wicked.
4. Modification to stepfamily life takes place rapidly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological Dads or Moms are taken out of the picture.
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 outlined the fallacies behind these myths and offered more realistic ideas. Although real stepfamilies are not the Brady Bunch, understanding the misconceptions and unrealistic expectations behind the eight myths goes a long way in resolving conflicts in blended families.
Background
Tricia Powe works as a co-parenting mediator. She's also involved in stepfamily assimilation strategy, does academic research, and is a well-known nonprofit leader. Her individual experience as a stepfamily member--first, a step child, then as a stepmother--has actually provided her with a deep comprehension 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 moved to how blended families were formed. Powe identified a, few patterns like a stepmother and a biological father, a stepfather and a biological mother, adopted children, and families that came together due to the death of a parent.
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 different individuals in stepfamilies. These myths can be stumbling blocks to developing a harmonious 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 wicked.
4. Modification to stepfamily life takes place rapidly.
5. Children adjust to divorce and remarriage more easily if biological Dads or Moms are taken out of the picture.
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 outlined the fallacies behind these myths and offered more realistic ideas. Although real stepfamilies are not the Brady Bunch, understanding the misconceptions and unrealistic expectations behind the eight myths goes a long way in resolving conflicts in blended families.
About the Author:
Lon Woodbury, the founder of Struggling Teens, has recorded the entire interview with Tricia Powe on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to at their convenience.
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