Remarriage

Remarriage is not a solution to divorce, but oftentimes, families find that remarriage either benefits or does harm to their own families. The most difficult part of remarriage comes into play as two families are blended together. Each family comes into the picture with different traditions, customs, family rules, and ways of living. To blend two families is a lot more difficult than it looks. Of the the 50% of American's that divorce, the majority will eventually remary. Half of those who remarry after a divorce do within a little over three years. The median is 3.6 years for men and 3.5 years for women. People tend to remarry for the same reasons that they married in the first place! They need intimacy, and crave the security that comes from an intimate relationship. With a remarriage typically come the challenges of unresolved emotional issues related to their first marriage, children's adjustment, financial issues, legal issues as well as general life adjustments. The term "stepparent" usually brings a negative reaction as there are typically issues as a new parent steps into the family and takes on the role as "father" or "mother" - even though biologically, they may not be the parent of their new spouse's previous children. It's a difficult balance that takes time, patience, trust and love to maintain and build. Although difficult, all of this is possible! We have learned throughout the course of the class, that with patience, it can work. It requires a tremendous amount of patience, as well as faith in the Lord. It requries prayer, love and nurturing relationships to work.

I am grateful to have never dealt with this, however I have watched the struggles of remarriage in my own extended family. It's a beautiful thing to be able to start new and fresh.