Let's Talk Transitions

Transitions are one of the biggest challenges for blended families. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, the days where our daughter is going from one house to the next are rough. And, it’s no one’s fault. Certainly not our babies who didn’t ask for their little lives to be divided.
What helps? First and foremost, grace on grace on grace. And, A LOT of prayer! It’s not just an adjustment for kids. The dynamic of the entire family unit shifts. As a parent, I mentally prepare to ensure I’m ready with deep breathes and extra patience.
Some other ways that help ease the transition are:
〰️Catching them up on anything at all they missed while they were gone (big or small).
〰️Asking about the highlights of their time spent at their other house.
〰️Making their favorite meal or doing a favorite activity with them.
〰️Giving them space and time to settle back in from one household to the next.
〰️Extending a whole lot of grace if they aren’t quite themselves. Not taking it personally, knowing their behavior is not a reflection of you or your parenting. (I share more on this in my co-parenting guide!)

I recently saw another mama share what helps in her blended family’s transitions days and wanted to share this goodness as well. Sarah Nicole Landry said, “…when I talk about the kids dreading transition days, don’t assume too much with that. Kids don’t love change. They love consistency. And they love us, their dog, their rooms. Change, even the best kind is hard for kids. Uprooting life once a week is never easy, and we know that. We see that. We consistently will stand by never speaking ill of the person we co-parent with, it’s not about that or them, it’s about us and what we can control. Co-parenting is FULL of variables. We can control the ones we can. Like ordering pancakes on Sunday, so kids have something to look forward to …”

Helping your kids through transition days is not babying them, it’s seeing and acknowledging their hard time. It’s reassuring them it’s going to be okay. It’s parenting with compassion. Our little ones in blended families need this more than ever.