I hope you enjoy this site! I'm new too, and am hoping for guidance also. I feel for your situation, I'm sure it's hard to be new to a "mixed" family. I mean 2 familys being brought together. That can be a very difficult time learning how to communicate with everyone on a level they can all understand. My youngest gives me a harder time as she wants to grow up yesterday! LOL! She wants to have all the priviledges of her sister who is 18 going on 19, and I have a hard time explaining to her that with age these priviledges come too. We have a hard time with the trust issue as every time I give a little, she tends to expand her boundaries without permission, and does what she wants, not seeming to care about the consequences. I've learned to communicate the consequences before a situation arrises, and then explain that the ball is now in her court. She knows what will happen before she does it, this way, if she breaks a rule or extends her boundaries without permission, her punishment is all in her hands. If she stays within the boundaries, she continues to have the freedom she is looking for. If not, the consequence is enforced, and the bond of trust has to start over. This is a very tough lesson, and one that I struggle with, but I do see progress! :) |
