In this episode, Darren talks to three of his kids about what it is like to have two households as teenagers? What it is like now that they are adults? and What advise they have for other kids that navigate two households?
Show Notes
In this episode, Darren talks to three of his kids about what it is like to have two households as teenagers? What it is like now that they are adults? and What advise they have for other kids that navigate two households?
Blog:
What’s Hard
- Logistics and coordination are complexes between two houses.
- Rules are different. How do you manage that?
- Food can be very different (Vegan, Paleo, etc..)
- No Settling
- Understanding the differences between the houses and parenting styles
- Losing things, Clothes, towels, school books
- Transitions - Forgetting things, going back and forth.
- Responsibility at a young age.
- Being in the middle of the parents.
Benefits
- Two Christmas mornings, Two thanksgivings, two birthdays, double the vacations
- Bonus Parent - Help you navigate your relationship with your bio parent, expand your possibilities
- Learn Responsibility
Tips & Tricks
- Make your step parent an ally
- Understand your parents are trying their best. They are not perfect.
- Set boundaries with your parents and step-parents
- Time is limited, so set expectations. This is true when you are adults coming back to visit.
- Setting a schedule and communicating it.
- Get comfortable with awkward
- Take time for transitions
- Buy toiletries, clothes, and things for both houses.
- Get two sets of textbooks from the school if possible.
- Don’t have a primary house. Create your own space in both houses, or don’t create your own space at all.
- Find someone to talk to about the situation.
Lemonade Moment of the Week
Paige is out recovering from surgery. Darren gets insight from his kids on what it was like to grow up in two households.
Links
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What is Where's the Lemonade??
They say when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade. Making lemonade is not always easy or possible. For us, we found ourselves single in our 40's with kids at home and starting life over again. Luckily we found each other, online no doubt. When we began blending families, schedules, traditions, and laundry, we discovered lots of lemons. Our podcast is a reflection on how we get through the hard times and enjoy the good times on our new journey together, all with ten kids in tow. Sometimes when life gives you lemons, you make lemon squares. Lemonade might come later.