6 Stepparent Survival Tips For The Holiday Season

By Mary Jo Rapini. Posted on Dec 9th 2012.

... because being a stepparent around the holidays isn't easy.

6. Gift giving should be discussed prior to the child joining your family. This is not a time to "win the child over." This is a time to show grace and love and demonstrate that small things matter most. Trying to outdo the other parent usually backfires and hurts the child.

The holidays are for children and you can help create special memories that will last forever. If you are a stepparent, your stepchild will love you most if they feel that you understand and accept where they came from. You establish this by listening and rather than trying to change them, help bridge the gap of emotion they may feel but be unable to express.

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