Are You Wandering In The Wilderness With Your Stepfamily?

In his book, The Smart Stepfamily, Ron Deal compares the stepfamily to the Israelites in the Old Testament as they wander in the wilderness for 40 years.  This period was truly a challenging time for God’s people.  The Israelites roamed around for years trying to find their way to a better place.  They wondered if things would ever get better for them and their families.  Many times they questioned why they were facing the challenges that God allowed them to experience. They even considered that their former life as slaves in Egypt might be a better option than wandering aimlessly in the wilderness.

If you are a part of a stepfamily, chances are good that you can relate. Sometimes, stepfamilies find themselves lost and desperate to find their way to a better place.  They often spend a significant amount of time trying to make sense of the challenges they are facing.  They sometimes wonder if life would be better the way it used to be.

Being a part of a stepfamily comes with issues that are unique only to stepfamilies.  The dynamics of stepfamilies are different as well.  It’s not a good thing or bad thing.  It’s just different.  And maybe that’s where you are right now.

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of family relationships and feel like you can’t please anyone?  Do you feel discouraged or hopeless?  Do you think things may never change?  Do you wonder if it would easier if you had never brought your families together?  Or maybe you will become a member of a stepfamily in your immediate future and you want some help in considering potential obstacles you may face.

If I can assist you and your family in finding your way out of the wilderness and into a new and better place, please contact me today.  After years in the wilderness,  the Israelites made their way into the land that God had promised.  They eventually found their way to a better place, and I believe that can happen for you and your family can as well.  You too can find your way out of the wilderness.  It will take some time and a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it in the end.  

Parenting: The Hardest Thing You Will Ever Do

Several years ago when I was working at a church in Mississippi, a father of a teenager told me that being a parent is the hardest thing you will ever do.  I didn’t have any children of my own at the time, but I thought that I had some understanding of what this father was talking about.  On one hand, I was a youth pastor at the time, and I worked with families every day.  So, I had a glimpse into the some of the struggles that parents and their children face, and I had some insight into how are hard parenting can be.  But in some ways, I really had no idea how difficult parenting can be.  After having a child of my own, I now get the full effect of what this father was trying to say.

Parenting is hard, and it really is one of the most difficult things you will ever do.  Maybe you’re struggling in your parenting right now.  Maybe you have doubts about how you are doing as a parent.  Maybe you question your ability to parent your children effectively and wonder, “Am I getting this right?”  If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you are not alone.   All parents question themselves at times.  It’s totally normal to question the job we do as parents.  But the truth is, as moms and dads, we do the best we can with what we’ve got, and that’s all we can expect of ourselves.  

So, do you want to be a better parent?  Are you facing some challenges in the parenting of your children and need some help?  Are you looking for some new parenting strategies?  Or do you simply need encouragement and support as you struggle with the many challenges of parenthood?  Then I would like to help. 

Sometimes it can be helpful to have another perspective from someone outside of your family who can see things you might not be able to see…someone who is not emotionally connected to your situation.  I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to talk about the challenges you’re facing in parenting your children.   In my work with parents, I see myself as a guide and coach.  I won’t judge you, but I will encourage, support, and offer some options for connecting with your children as you seek to be a greater parent.  If you would like to talk about setting up an appointment, please contact me at The Connection Place today.