Introduction
We live in a multicultural society and as a result, we are becoming more and more diverse. There is a growing number of blended families where parents from different cultures or races are raising their children together. Blended families make up for about 25% of the households in the United States.
A family that is blended by culture might have two parents who come from different backgrounds and both sets of grandparents are immigrants as well. In this case, kids will have to learn about two cultures and traditions, which can be challenging but also rewarding. It’s not easy to be raised by two very different cultures but these kids are able to grow up with open minds while appreciating each culture’s strengths and weaknesses on its own terms. This makes it easier for them to understand that people are all equal despite
Challenges Faced When Living in a Blended Multicultural Family
The lives of the children in these multicultural families are not easy. They have to fight for their identity and struggle to find a place in a society that does not tolerate cultural diversity.
Parents, on the other hand, have to make sure that they maintain their own culture while still being open and inclusive towards other cultures. This can be challenging as one parent may feel like they are neglecting or forgetting their old culture while the other parent feels like they are being left out of it.
Solution 1 – Communicate With Your Child’s Other Parent
It can be hard to know how to approach a discussion with your child’s other parent. The most successful conversations are when the parents are on the same page about expectations for parenting.
If you don’t have a lot of contact with your child’s other parent, it is best to let them initiate the conversation or ask if they want to discuss anything. You can offer a time and place that you prefer and offer advice for setting up an agenda if they need it.
This section will cover two strategies for communicating with your child’s other parent: talking when they initiate and initiating contact yourself. It will also discuss how important it is to have shared goals in order for these conversations to be successful.
Solution 2 – Be Aware of the Child’s Cultural Upbringing
Cultural upbringing for children is a significant factor. This can greatly affect their behaviour and the way they express themselves in a variety of ways. It is important that parents are aware of these things and do their best to understand them. They must be conscious of what values they want to instil in their child while being careful not to impose their own values on them.
A lot of people are doing it wrong with this whole thing where they think that the only way you can raise a “good” kid is by shielding them from everything bad, but just like we know with anything it is always better to have an awareness and knowledge about what you are dealing with. If parents don’t have that awareness or knowledge then how are they going to know if they’re raising good kids?
Solution 3 – Find Shared Activities for the Whole Family to Enjoy
This solution is for blended multicultural families. Mixed – or blended, as it’s also called, families are becoming more and more common in society today. It’s not easy to balance time between partners and children. The following tips can help:
1) Find shared activities for the whole family to enjoy. A bowling night with each partner’s family may sound like a good idea, or a game of Monopoly – with all players included, or a movie night with popcorn for everyone.
2) Remember that one day does not have to be dedicated exclusively to one child so that the other has to time off from parents’ attention. Make sure that both partners get time off from parenting duties on their own terms and in their own way.
Conclusion
Take it easy, communicate, love, trust and care for each other to nurture family values.
The key to a good family is communication, love, trust and care, the same applies to Multicultural families. These four elements will make sure that each member of the family is happy and healthy. Remember that family values are the foundation of any society. It is through family that we learn about love, empathy, compassion, forgiveness and other qualities that make us human beings. It’s a busy world out there, and many of us are juggling multiple commitments. With so much to manage, it may seem impossible to keep up with the needs of your relationships. But it’s important to take time for you, your spouse and other loved ones. Face-to-face communication is an important way to strengthen family ties. Make time for a conversation about what’s happening in the household.