What I Know Now 

If you have recently started to look for a serious relationship, which could lead to marriage, I think the best advice is to try and see what went wrong in your previous relationship. For me it was the lack of communication. Communication is key in discussing values, traditions, discipline, and expectations. The relationship of step-parent and step-children needs to be discussed openly as a family so that the intentions of all involved are clear. There is no sense marrying someone you love and enjoy being with if they don’t respect your children.

Your potential new spouse needs to realize that they are not just marrying you – they are marrying your children, your family, as well as your ex and his family. Likewise, if you remarry someone who has been divorced – you are marrying that person’s family, children, ex-family, etc. The extended/blended family stretches far beyond a simple “I do.”

A remarriage can be successful as long as all parties involved are aware of the dynamics of the relationships and have a commitment to become a happy, blended family.