“Helping Teens Adjust to Stepparents” from the TeensHealth portion of KidHealth.org helps teens deal with adjusting to having a new stepparent. Many times adjusting to a parent dating and/or getting remarried can be harder than the initial divorce. The article does not sugar coat the situation:
In some families, new adults and kids seem to fit in easily, as though they’ve been there all along. But some families brought together through marriage can be so different that the best everyone can do is grit their teeth and work hard to get through a weekend together…Sometimes a stepparent can feel like a stranger who is suddenly inserted into the most personal aspects of your life. The pressure to get along can be intense.
Despite these issue, the article presents some practical things teens can do to adjust to these new step family situations including advice on how to deal with emotions like:
- Keeping a journal
- Seeking support from a friend
- Talking to your parent or another trusted adult