How Do You Deal With A Spouses Previous Marriage?
• Assess the situation. If everyone involved wants to try to get along (which is especially important if there are kids being shared), make an effort to be cooperative. Realise that your spouse’s former partner is a human being; if he/she is making an effort to treat you with respect, you should do the same. If you’re in a situation where the ex is being uncooperative or worse, accept that there’s nothing you can do except try to ignore him or her. The best way to combat immaturity is by ignoring it. If he or she doesn’t get a reaction, he/she is likely to give up. • Deal with the children. Don’t try to act like you’re their biological parent. They will grow closer with you in time; let them set the pace. Do not hold resentment against your spouse for having to pay child support (if this is the case). Realize that when you accept your spouse into your life, you accept all of his/her baggage as well. Learn to think of the child support as a bill that one of you aquired, but both of you
