But here’s the secret: You already are a real family. You’re just a different kind. And summers together—messy, imperfect, and real—are how stepfamilies slowly, quietly, weave themselves together.
If you’re the bio parent, don’t disappear into work or assume your partner will “handle” the kids. Your children need to see you actively choosing time with the whole family. They also need you to advocate for their needs—and your stepchild’s needs. step family summer