The document discusses blended families and provides guidance on preparing for a subsequent marriage, achieving unity, and helping grieving children. It outlines the five stages of grief children may experience (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) and how their needs change based on their developmental level (tactile for ages 0-2, reassurance for ages 3-5, knowledge for ages 6-12, independence for ages 13+). It also describes different parenting styles that can occur and tips for making weekend visits with non-custodial parents as smooth as possible such as taking initiative, providing structure, acceptance, and helping with transitions.

1. #11 – Blended Families - Part II
In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo

2. Preparing for a Subsequent Marriage
• Know future mate and children
• Attention to children’s needs
• Build a new relationship
• Include everyone at wedding

3. Achieving Unity
• Avoid co-conductor system
• Give up old roles
• Establish ground rules

4. True Unity Only Attainable in Christ

5. Grieving Children in a Blended Family

6. Grieving Children in a Blended Family
• Denial

7. Grieving Children in a Blended Family
• Denial
• Anger

8. Grieving Children in a Blended Family
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining

9. Grieving Children in a Blended Family
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression

10. Grieving Children in a Blended Family
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

11. Development Levels
0 to 2 years
– Tactile

12. Development Levels
0 to 2 years
– Tactile
3 to 5 years
– Reassurance

13. Development Levels
0 to 2 years
– Tactile
3 to 5 years
– Reassurance
6 to 12 years
– Knowledge

14. Development Levels
0 to 2 years
– Tactile
3 to 5 years
– Reassurance
6 to 12 years
– Knowledge
13+ years
– Independence

15. Parenting Styles

16. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent

17. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent
2. The “Glue” Parent

18. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent
2. The “Glue” Parent
3. The “Distant” Parent

19. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent
2. The “Glue” Parent
3. The “Distant” Parent
4. The “Sometimes” Parent

20. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent
2. The “Glue” Parent
3. The “Distant” Parent
4. The “Sometimes” Parent
5. The “Ruthless” Parent

21. Parenting Styles
1. The “Star” Parent
2. The “Glue” Parent
3. The “Distant” Parent
4. The “Sometimes” Parent
5. The “Ruthless” Parent
6. The “Parent” Parent

22. The “Week-End” Visit

23. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative

24. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative
2. Provide Structure

25. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative
2. Provide Structure
3. Be Accepting

26. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative
2. Provide Structure
3. Be Accepting
4. Provide a Home

27. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative
2. Provide Structure
3. Be Accepting
4. Provide a Home
5. Give Permission to Love

28. The “Week-End” Visit
1. Take the Initiative
2. Provide Structure
3. Be Accepting
4. Provide a Home
5. Give Permission to Love
6. Smooth Out Transitions

29. Visitation is not the best way to parent
But it’s not an impossible way to parent.