Holidays bring Hallmark visions of homey, loving holidays, which often really aren't how people feel about holidays with family members. Particularly in stepfamilies, holidays can be full of conflict, unfulfilled expectations and feeling left out. 

 

If you are new to stepfamily life, as a stepparent you will want to fit in and as the bio parent you will probably want to make everyone happy without rocking the boat. That often means the stepparent has to tolerate how holidays were celebrated in the past for the benefit of the kids without incorporating any new holiday traditions, or any of their own. 

 

Just remember that while it is important to develop new traditions that belong to your household and your marriage, it is also important to know that it takes time. Slowly begin to integrate new traditions and celebrations and shift them over time until they become your own. Kids can adjust and need to learn to make room for the new stepparent, too.

 

Make this year the beginning of your new traditions and happy holidays!