S8E10: Remarriages, Stepfamilies, Blended Families Don’t Have to Be for Unhappy People
Our society often focuses on “firsts”
First babies mean a shower, first weddings are thought of to be the “big” celebration.
But, what about second+ weddings? Don’t we get to celebrate those, too?
We’re here to tell you 👇
Yes.
Remarriages, stepfamilies, and blended families don't have to be unhappy for people. In fact, I want to be a voice that you can build a beautiful and happy life as a stepparent or adult in a blended family.
And, this week on The Wedding Dish, we’re chatting about remarriages, bringing blended families together, and being happy - on your wedding day and in your family.
Guest: Amy Stone, Amy Says So
This week, we’re dishing about…
where to start when one or both adults have children from previous relationships
how to talk with your kids about the changes in family dynamics when you are getting remarried
how to include your children in your wedding celebration
tips to have a happy, healthy home as a blended family
open and humble communication
honoring and respecting everyone in your family
... and more!
Meet Amy Says So
Amy Stone is a certified life coach who helps stepparents and adults in blended families create more personal happiness. She is a mom, a stepmom, and a grandma. Her personal experience as a wife and stepmom pushed her to create a unique path to happiness. Today she shares that method with others who are beginning a similar journey.
I coach stepparents and adults in blended families. This is a broad topic but I offer a unique perspective in talking about remarriage or when one or more of the people getting married has kids from a prior relationship. These are common situations but the wedding industry is pretty singularly focused on first-time marriages. More importantly, my perspective of this scenario is how to be happy and enjoy your life in this scenario and the bulk of the advice that is given is about dealing with high conflict and other unpleasant situations.
Happiness is totally a worthwhile goal.
Business Info…
What areas do you serve?
International
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I might be one of those people who is best suited to working for themselves.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
Freedom to make my own decisions.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
The making money part of owning a business isn't always super easy.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
You will need to be willing to actually tell people that you are in business and that you have something to sell. :-)
Daily Life…
What is daily life like in your household?
I am very close to being an empty nester. It's very exciting for me. People tell me that I will miss having a house full of kids and I do believe them but at the moment I'm pretty excited about the future. I get up and exercise and try to say good morning to the high schooler. I work during the day. Break for lunch. Work some more. Make a delicious dinner. Beat my husband at Jeopardy ... he always thinks he wins.
Your Wedding…
What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?
To include everybody. My husband's kids were in the ceremony and included in our vows.
How did you choose your wedding vendors?
We were married in the Florida Keys, so the choices were narrowed by the location.
What, if anything, would you change about your wedding?
We might have stayed one more day on location before leaving on our own.
What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?
It's very easy to think of it as a day for yourself. I think it helps to think about it as a day for the family...the big extended family in celebration of you. For my wedding, it was my husband's second marriage and my parents were divorced. There were a lot of opinions and wishes floating around. It all worked out.
Have something else to share?
We had an outdoor ceremony planned with no backup location. While I was having my hair done it stormed. People were very stressed that the wedding may have to be delayed or canceled. The person officiating the ceremony and both sets of parents were stuck on a boat and they weren't sure they would make it back. Everybody knew but me. The hairdresser and my oldest friend just turned me so that I was facing away and the storm was over when I finished.
Did you participate in any family, cultural, or religious traditions at your wedding?
My husband and I come from different religions. So, we omitted almost everything religious from the ceremony except at the end my husband's whole family yelled Mazel Tov anyway. My mom asked to read a prayer and we politely declined; I was pretty sure she'd just do her reading as a toast during the reception, but she didn't.
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