In some cases, getting a family right the first time isn’t possible for many reasons. Money struggles, infidelity, compatibility issues, you name it—sometimes, two people cannot weather the storm together if they want to keep themselves afloat first and foremost. But, as they say, there is always a chance to find love again. But what is the impact of «blended» families on the children who are getting whiplash from wondering who to call «Mommy.» Sure, talking to the child and letting them know in simple ways what the new normal will be is good, but it’s also important to let them know that whatever feelings they might have are totally valid.

The 20-year-old woman in this story is a child of divorce. She explains that she lived with her father and his girlfriend-turned-wife 50 percent of the time after the separation, and her stepmother’s two children came along with the marriage. The younger child, who she calls Emmy, tried to have a very close relationship with the woman, who at the time, was 11 years old. At the time, the woman was caught up in a whirlwind of reasons not to feel comfortable/not want to be buddy-buddy with her new step-sis, resulting in years of sisterly feuds and low contact. Now, the stepsister wants a nice chunk of the woman’s bio mom’s inheritance. Scroll to read the whole story.