My Second Husband Almost Instantly Won Over My Little Boy — Here’s How

As part of our Blended Family Friday series, each week we spotlight a different stepfamily to learn how they successfully blended their two families. Our hope is that by telling their stories, we’ll bring you closer to blended family bliss in your own life! Want to share your own story? Email us at divorce@huffingtonpost.com.

As Trisha Berg tells it, she pretty much hit the second-husband jackpot when she met Ryan. He didn’t have children of his own but he was a natural with Trisha’s young son Christian, taking on a friend role with the little guy instead of trying to force a more paternal relationship.

What advice do you have for other blended families who are struggling to come together?
It’s so important to remember that the kids never asked for any of this — the divorce, the dating, the second marriage. In fact, most kids want their parents to stay together forever so be sensitive to that. If you’re having problems with your ex, the best advice I can give is to just remember that at one point, you loved your ex enough to have children with him or her. If nothing else, act civilly toward this person for the sake of your kids. I notice a big difference in my son’s behavior when my ex-husband and I get along compared to the times when we don’t get along. Just try to remember that it’s best for the children to be civil. Leave them out of the adult stuff. Be their parent right now –- you can be buddies later!

Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Divorce on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our newsletter here.

The Huffington Post