
Different Parenting Styles
Isabella said one hard thing for her growing up in a blended family was the difference in parenting styles. Her mom was a disciplinarian with tight boundaries, but her dad let her and her siblings do whatever they wanted. They’d go back to mom’s house and think, “Oh, I can’t do that here.” Having different rules is confusing. It invites kids to play the game and manipulate the system rather than learn the lessons the rules were meant to teach. Parenting in complex families requires cooperation.

About the Host

Ron Deal
Ron Deal is Director of FamilyLife Blended®️ for FamilyLife®️ and President of Smart Stepfamilies™️. He is a family ministry consultant and conducts marriage and family seminars around the country; he specializes in marriage education and stepfamily enrichment. He is one of the most widely read authors on stepfamily living in the country.