Dealing with Exes Must Be Done Soon for the Benefits of Both of You

One of the things that must be made crystal clear is that you are not getting back together. This should be done straight and smooth and there should be no need for any harshness when saying it. Any hint of hesitation can be interpreted as a sign of unsureness and the ex may still try to do things to get back together. Any incessant texts or calls must be discouraged so as not to give any false hope, and also for them to get the hint and back off completely. If it reaches a point where the behavior has become obsessive, this must be explicitly conveyed. Things usually get complicated when there is a child involved. Being a single parent, after all, can be a challenge – and either you or your ex might feel the need to turn to each other for support even with the current conflict between you. It won’t be easy at the start, but you will get the hang of it eventually and start enjoying the perks of being a single parent.
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2015/03/09/dealing-with-exes-must-be-done-soon-for-the-benefits-of-both-of-you/

Houston Stepfamilies Must Avoid These Big Stepparent-Stepchild Mines

Allowing a child to spend time with the biological parent is vital, since each child has to have an opportunity wherein they don’t feel a sense of competition in terms of showing affection. This can be any type of occasion, either a meal out, a day of activities, or others—what matters most is that children look forward to things like these. If you’re a stepparent struggling to maintain a good kinship by committing one, two, or all of these mistakes, seek urgent stepparenting help from Houston firms like The Bridge Across. After all, succeeding as a stepparent relies heavily on fostering relationships and maintaining them.
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2015/03/05/houston-stepfamilies-must-avoid-these-big-stepparent-stepchild-mines/

The Trials of Single Fatherhood: Why You’d Need Single Parent Help

Nobody goes into a marriage expecting to get divorced. That’s the same thought that went through the mind of Dave Taylor, a contributor at the self-help site Fatherhood.org. Couples marry with the best of intentions, often dreaming of settling down in a nice home, with a harmonious family living a happy life. The unexpected, however, happened. Once he and his wife started to have kids, troubles started to surface; they didn’t seem to find a common ground and got along roughly. They tried to make it work, but to no avail. The next thing Dave knew, he’s now looking at the prospect of single fatherhood, with the task of raising three kids.
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2015/03/03/the-trials-of-single-fatherhood-why-youd-need-single-parent-help/

Common Stepparent Issues: Child Discipline Pointers for Both Parents

Organizations like The Bridge Across that provide stepparenting help in Houston assist their clients in determining their stepparent roles and managing their home. More often than not, they remind stepmoms not to fall into the “evil stepmother” stereotype, which is perpetuated by books and movies. Note that disciplining duties are not solely your job or responsibility. In fact, experts state that it’s best for stepmoms to let her partner discipline his own children. This will keep your stepchildren from resenting you. Moreover, rather than going for the “mother” role, try to be more of an aunt or big sister to your stepchildren. Show them that you are a strong and levelheaded woman, worthy of their love and respect.
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2014/11/19/common-stepparent-issues-child-discipline-pointers-parents/

Coping Tips for Single Parents in Houston—Striking a Healthy Balance

If you’re going through a period where everything is simply overwhelming, don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Know that there are comprehensive single parent families help available from organizations, such as The Bridge Across, which offer effective programs to arm you with the right coping skills and attitude. Call on your trusted loved ones, neighbors, or friends for help, be it for watching the kids for a while or taking them to school when your car is in the shop again.
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2014/11/17/coping-tips-single-parents-houston-striking-healthy-balance/

By Solving Stepparent Issues, Stepfamilies Can Get Their Happy Endings

Nowadays, America’s “average family” is anything but, as most families in the U.S.–more than 50 percent, in fact–are either remarried or re-coupled stepfamilies, very different from the traditional nuclear family structure. An important implication of this development is that becoming a stepparent doesn’t preclude someone from gaining his or her happy ending. Just ask Eva and Roy, who were both featured in The Huffington Post’s “Blended Family Friday” series of articles. The key to their happy union?
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2014/11/14/solving-stepparent-issues-stepfamilies-can-get-happy-endings/

Single Parents in Houston Have it Tough, but They Shouldn’t Lose Hope

Life as a single parent is already challenging as it is, particularly at the physical and emotional levels, but who would’ve thought that the children also have it tough? This was the conclusion reached by Leslie Loftis of The Federalist, who reviewed multiple studies about children of divorced households and how they fared in life. Deseret News compiled these findings in an October 2014 article, and among them is the fact that kids of single parents generally want to spend time with the other parent, regardless of the reasons for the split:
http://www.thebridgeacross.com/2014/11/13/single-parents-houston-tough-shouldnt-lose-hope/