Are You Ready to Remarry?

The only thing worse than couples rushing into divorce are couples who rush into a second marriage.

First marriages are challenging. Second marriages are even harder, especially when you’re blending a family. Different expectations, conflict management, and learning how to communicate effectively are things every married couple must navigate. But stepfamilies face a different level of complexity.

When couples enter into second marriages, they often focus exclusively on their love for each other and their new lives together to the exclusion of the family unit as a whole. In other words, couple togetherness ≠ family togetherness.

Unrealistic expectations are another problem in stepfamilies. They lead to disappointment, frustration, fear, and bitterness.

Couples in a second marriage can also struggle with bonding, merging traditions, and conflict between their biological children and their stepchildren.

How do you find your way through?

We’re offering encouragement and practical help on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Are You Ready to Remarry?” Ron Deal, the founder of Smart Stepfamilies and director of the blended family outreach of FamilyLife Ministries, is with us in our studios. He’ll help you build a healthy foundation for your marriage and your new family.

Listen to our conversation on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

For a library of helpful articles about building a thriving stepfamily, explore our website.

If you’d like to speak with a counselor, call Focus on the Family for a free consultation. Leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

And if your marriage is on the brink of divorce, our Hope Restored marriage intensives can go a long way toward facilitating healing between you and your spouse and bringing restoration to your relationship. The intensives take place in three locations: Branson, MO; Greenville, MI; and the WinShape Retreat Center in Rome, GA. The number for Hope Restored is 1-866-875-2915, or visit online.

Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we have been able to help over 350,000 couples build stronger marriages over the past year.

When you partner with us, I’ll send you a copy of Ron Deal’s book Preparing to Blend: The Couple’s Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, visit our website or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).