The Real “Daddy’s Home”

The upcoming movie “Daddy’s Home” starring Will Ferrell, Linda Cardellini, and Mark Wahlberg,  directed by Sean Anders presents an over-the-top depiction of a very real family issue. In the movie, Will Ferrell plays a mild-mannered stepfather who is forced to compete with the children’s biological father, Mark Wahlberg, for the affection of Linda Cardellini’s children. Although the movie is comedic in nature, parenting issues between biological parents and stepparents are often contentious and can result in litigation. If you are a stepparent here is some advice for cultivating and maintaining a healthy relationship with your stepchild.

1. First, it is imperative that you be yourself when dealing with your stepchild, as children are intuitive, and often shy away from stepparents that try too hard to create an instant bond.
2. It is important to try to be in accord with the parenting methods of the child’s biological parents if possible. This will make the child’s transition from a traditional family to a blended family much less difficult.
3. It is of the utmost importance that you listen to your stepchild’s feelings without passing judgment as this will cause the child to relate and identify with you. 

Above all, remember to not take your stepchild’s criticisms personally because oftentimes the emergence of a stepparent in a child’s life signals the end of the child’s hope that his or her biological parents will get back together.

Here is a scene from the movie “Daddy’s Home”.

In sum, the transition from a traditional family to a blended family is often difficult for children, biological parents, and stepparents alike. If you find yourself dealing with parenting or custody issues, whether you are a child’s biological parent or stepparent, then having an experienced Massachusetts child custody attorney in your corner will help you maintain a healthy relationship with your child.