Blending a family is a huge, complex topic and this is only going to scratch the surface ... if you are dating again, thinking about getting married again then you're going to need to help your children adjust to your remarriage.

We know that second marriages are not easy. The U.S. Census Bureau in 2006 found that 60 percent of second marriages end in divorce. It seems that third marriages are even harder, ending in divorce about 70 percent of the time.

Experts cite a number of reasons for this one of which is that the children can be a destabilizing factor. For example, you'll almost certainly find differences in parenting styles, challenges with discipline, problems getting the children to get along with each other and obstacles to coordinating parenting schedules.

There are however plenty of people who have successfully blended families so don't get discouraged. Instead, ask what you can do to help your child see your new spouse and their children as a positive addition to your family.

Author Maria Ashworth knows the challenges first hand. She remarried about nine years ago when her two children were aged eight and nine. Her second husband had five children, from two previous marriages, ranging in ages from two to 21. Based on her own experience, Ashworth's latest book is Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four (available on Amazon) and is designed for children aged between four and eight to help reassure them that in spite of the changes, a blended family can be worth it.

Ashworth joins Mandy Walker for this episode to discuss what you can do to help your child see a blended family as positive. If you'd like to read a synopsis of this episode, please hop over to Mandy's blog, Since My Divorce.

How You Can Help Your Children Adjust To Your Remarriage

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