“The Brady Bunch” was the first blended family on TV. Another one was “Step by Step.” Both shows had parents that were willing to work with their spouse’s children. In real life, however, it is completely different. Most blended families bicker and fight. There is usually a jealousy factor. Also, when a parent passes the fighting is horrific with the survivor and all the adult children. Often a survivor will disinherit their spouse’s children. They legally are now allowed in most states but they do it anyways. Then the attorneys win with all the fees. Many times the children if they were an only child welcome a sibling. They have someone to play with and have as a friend. However, there is also the spoiled child who is demanding and horrific to the step parent and step sibling. It is one of the many reasons that the blended family marriages do not work out. I knew two different blended families that ended up in divorce. Both times it was the woman who was the reason. The first couple the woman hated her husband’s children. She wanted them to live with their mother so she could have her husband all to herself. She pretended in the beginning, but after a short time she simply moved back out. The second couple were married for a long time, but when the husband’s daughter was killed in an auto crash, they simply couldn’t hold it together. Also, the wife disliked her husband’s son. He was a decent young man but she couldn’t stand him. He was also the dad’s favorite. Eventually, the husband did remarry. It is important that people are fair to their stepchildren. After all, they were technically there first. How do you feel about blended families? The Good Gus Series is available online at Kindle, Nook and Waterstones. Hard copies, personally autographed, are available through our website www.goodgusbooks.com along with past blogs for your reading enjoyment. Now available audio and videos for the Good Gus series on YouTube! Digitizing for all the books are available now on YouTube! “Misplaced Trust” is now available on Amazon in e-book form. It is also available digitally at www.misplacedtrustbook.com. If you are thinking of a Will or a Living Trust, “Misplaced Trust” will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Please check me out on IHeart radio. “The Special Gift” is now available at the Morgan Mill Mail/UPS.