A blended family is described as a couple family containing two or more children, of whom at least one is the natural or adopted child of both members of the couple, and at least one is the stepchild of either partner in the couple.
Parenting website Raising Children reports on the good things about a blended family. The site notes that these families can be fun as they bring different people together with varying perspectives, personalities, and interests.
Additional Support
"A new extended family can give you and your child more people to connect with. For example, new grandparents can add to children's lives and help them feel even more loved," Raising Children reports, adding, "extra adults and grandparents can be a great source of additional support for parents and children."
The report adds that it takes time and patience to establish a new family.
"As an adult, when you first re-partner, your relationship with your child's other parent can go through a tricky time because they might be feeling angry, insecure, upset or worried about the change. You might need to adjust your co-parenting agreement to fit with your new family arrangements."
Love To Know, a website which tackles family content points out some of the challenges that may arise when a couple is raising their blended family, including conflicting roles of family members, conflicting family values and communication issues. The report, however, notes that blended families can get past these difficulties with the right mindset.
"While parents with children from different parents face additional challenges, blended families also enjoy the advantages of a unique family structure and blended family statistics show both points. Taking a closer look at your blended family allows you to appreciate the uniqueness and value of every member of your family, no matter what biological or legal relationships may or may not be present."
Both locally and internationally, many famous couples have blended families - from celebrated artistes to high-profile personalities.
One of showbiz's most popular families, The Kardashians, are a blended family. When matriarch Kris Jenner married her now ex-husband Bruce Jenner (now known as Kaitlyn), she was already a mum to Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, and Rob.
With her new husband, she had two more children, Kylie and Kendall. The blended family went on to become one of the most renowned families in popular culture.
And now that the celebrated singer and actress Jennifer Lopez is married to actor Ben Affleck, the two stars each bring children from past relationships to their union.
"Since tying the knot in July 2022, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have blended their five children into a big family unit. The Marry Me star has her twins Max and Emme, 14, whom she shares with ex Marc Anthony, while Affleck shares children Samuel, 10, Seraphina, 13, and Violet, 16 with ex-wife Jennifer Garner," People Magazine reports.
Rappers Cardi B and Offset are another famous pair with a beautiful blended family.
The couple has two children together; one-year-old Wave and four-year-old Kulture. Offset has three other children from previous relationships.