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Growing Into a Family
A Kid's Guide to Living in a Blended Family
By Cynthia Geisen, R. W. Alley Abbey Press Publications
Copyright © 2015 Cynthia Geisen
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5040-2189-0
CHAPTER 1
A Family's Love Never Changes
Your family is important. It's the place where you feel safe and loved. Family members are people you can count on. No matter what happens, your family's love for you will never change. You can count on your family because they want what is best for you. They want you to be happy and always to feel loved.
Who is in your family? Do you have sisters and brothers? Grandparents? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins? Stepbrothers and stepsisters? A stepmom or stepdad?
Isn't it great to think of all the people who love you!
When Families Grow
Sometimes, new members join a family. You may have heard that your family is getting ready to grow. It could be that your mom or dad is getting married to someone who has children. Maybe your grandfather is coming to live with you. Or, perhaps your parents are going to adopt a baby from a faraway country.
You might be wondering: How will things in my family change? How will I fit in? Will I still be important?
It's okay to have lots of questions.
It's Okay to Ask
You are probably wondering about lots of things. Where will I live? Do I have to share my room? What will my step-sister or brother be like? Will we get along? What should I call my stepmom or stepdad? Is it okay to talk about my "real" mom or dad? Will we still have chocolate cake on my birthday?
Maybe you have other questions, too.
Talk about your questions with your mom, dad, or another adult you trust. No question is silly or wrong. Asking questions helps us know what to expect. So, don't be afraid to ask!
Many Things Change
Lots of changes are happening in your family. What are they? Do you sleep in a different room? Go to a new school? Do you have new stepbrothers and stepsisters? Maybe you have two homes now, instead of one.
Sit down with an adult you love and make a list of all the new things in your life. Draw a star by all the items on your list that you really like. Put an "X" by the new things in your life that are hard or that you don't like.
Talk together about everything on your list.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Growing Into a Family by Cynthia Geisen, R. W. Alley. Copyright © 2015 Cynthia Geisen. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press Publications.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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