21 Blended Family Quotes That You Might Relate To

Medically reviewed by Lauren Fawley
Updated February 29, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Blended families or stepfamilies with children from previous relationships are becoming more commonplace each day. Unfortunately, families don't always blend smoothly, acclimating to new family dynamics can be difficult, and problems can come up. Sometimes children resist changes or parents become frustrated with the at times challenging dynamics of adjusting to a blended family.

Here are some quotes that you can enjoy that may offer encouragement, as well as some resources for blended families.

Blended families are uniquely beautiful and challenging

What is a blended family? 

A blended family is a family that includes children from a partner's past relationship. One or both parents may become a stepparent.

Blending families requires adjustments for everyone involved, parents and children alike. The whole family may have to relearn how to interact and socialize while discovering where they fit in the new family dynamic. Families have growing pains, and though the trip to becoming a healthily balanced blended family can be rough, the bonds that are often created afterward can be invaluable.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of quotes that a blended or currently "blending" family may relate to:

Quotes for step-mom

It is not always comfortable stepping up and becoming a stepmom. Sometimes it seems nearly impossible to bond and to adjust to the new arrangement, to become a new mom to children who are not legally yours. Having to manage the parenting preferences of the children’s biological mother or working with children who may not initially accept you can be taxing at times. Every now and again, a reminder is needed that you're doing the best you can and that you are not the first, or only, stepmom to struggle. Here are five quotes for new stepmoms:

  • "Family isn’t something that’s supposed to be static or set. People marry in and divorce out... It’s always evolving, turning into something else.” –Sarah Dessen
  • "Nothing in the world feels more personal than rejection from a child upon who you have showered love and emotional energy. But it's not about you. Really. Moms can brush off the rejection because they know that their children will be back on track the moment a new emotional or physical need arises. A stepmom's first instinct is to blame herself and consider what it is she may have done to earn the treatment she received." -- Brenda Snyder, LCSW
  • "What I'm doing isn't about me, it's about the two little kids that my husband brought into my life. It is about them and making sure that they feel safe, happy, and supported." --Rose Quinn
  • "The truth is that the way our ex's, our partner's ex's or even our step-kids see us isn't always about us - it's about them and their struggles, insecurities, fears or limitations. You don't have to allow their judgment to become your truth." -- Daniell Koepke (Adapted)

Quotes for stepdad

Being a stepdad can be difficult as well, and their family role is often overlooked. They may face difficulties trying to gain the respect of the children or may encounter problems with their biological father. Stepdads may have to try just as hard as stepmoms to bond with the children and be there for them without caving into the pressures surrounding them. The quotes below show what it can be like to be a stepdad:

  • "A Stepdad doesn't just marry his wife: He marries her entire situation… He has to find a balance between supporting her and defending her - without overstepping invisible boundaries that may exist." -- Unknown
  • “No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.” –Abraham Lincoln
  • “Visualize how you would want to relate to your stepchildren and how you see yourself forming a new blended family. Too often, stepparents are so wrapped up in the new relationship with their partner that it’s only later, as they come to feel like they’re thrust into a situation that involves children, that they realize they haven’t talked about how they’re going to come together as a family and how the role of stepdad will work.” –Rachel Andrew, Ph.D.
  • "A dad isn't defined as the man who makes the child, but rather the man who raises and loves the child with all his heart through anything. BLOOD doesn't always make a man a dad; being a DAD comes from the heart." -Unknown
  • “Stepparents are not around to replace a biological parent, rather to augment a child’s experience.” –Azriel Johnson

Quotes for step-kids

As a stepchild, you may at times feel trapped or compelled to choose a side based on which parent you want to support. It can be difficult to feel as though you have two families, or to feel as if someone has stepped in to take the place of one of your parents. 

Here are five quotes that step kids may relate to:

  • “Children see magic because they look for it.” –Christopher Moore
  • "You were made with love; you are destined for greatness. This big old world can be a scary place; I hope you know that with your kind heart and fierce mind and brave spirit you can do anything. Be bold, be crazy, be loud, be everything that you want to be, but always remember to be yourself." -- Unknown
  • "You can rise from anything. You can completely recreate yourself. Nothing is permanent. You're not stuck. You have choices. You can think of new thoughts. You can learn something new. You can create new habits. All that matters is that you decide today and never look back." -- Unknown
  • "A child cannot have too many people who love them and want to help them succeed." -- Unknown
  • “Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older, they judge them; sometimes, they forgive them.” –Oscar Wilde

Quotes for blended families

The goal is to push through those tough moments and remember why you're working towards peace and understanding to begin with. Here are seven quotes that help explain what it's like to be a part of a blended family:

  • "Don't worry if you're not an instant, happily-ever-after blended family. Expect to endure "I give up" days and rejoice in the "I can do this" days. It will take work, dedication, an excellent sense of humor, and a strong resolve. But hey, since when has any family taken the easy route? We don't do ‘easy’ - we do ‘worth it!’” -- Jessica James (Adapted)
  • "Blended Families: Woven together by choice, strengthened together by love tested by everything and each uniquely ours." -- Unknown
  • "Family isn't defined only by last names or by blood; it's defined by commitment and by love. It means showing up when they need it most. It means having each other's backs. It means choosing to love each other even on those days when you struggle to like each other. It means never giving up on each other!" -- Dave Willis
  • "Co-parenting is not a competition. It's a collaboration of two homes working together with the best interest of the child at heart. Work for your kids, not against them." -- Unknown
  • "The secret to blending families is…There is no secret. It's scary and awesome and ragged and perfect and always changing. Love and laugh hard, try again tomorrow, but that's life advice, right?" -- Mir Kamin
  • "There is no such thing as a broken family. Family is family and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart." -- Joybell
  • "For those of you that say ‘this is not what I signed up for’ remember that life is not built for your comfort. Life is built by lessons that test you, and push you with every possibility of either demolishing your foundation or reinforcing it!" -- Jessica James

Living in a blended family

Merging, as a blended family, can be one of the most challenging tasks a family may ever go through. Different opinions may be competing, and you may be trying to determine where you fit in amongst your new family; figuring out where the boundaries lie and how to not cross them. Some families are not able to complete the transition without going through therapy or online therapy. There is no shame in needing help to make sure your family is working as one unit and not always fighting against each other. If you need help, consider reaching out to a licensed professional in your area today.

Blended families are uniquely beautiful and challenging

Therapy for blended families

With BetterHelp, you can receive individual and couple’s counseling from the comfort of your own home or wherever you have a reliable internet connection. As a blended family, you likely have a busy schedule; online therapy is a convenient option, as there is no need to travel to an office and sessions can often be held outside of standard business hours.

Online therapy has been found to be overall just as effective as in-person therapy for a variety of issues and concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, family troubles, and more. Through a thorough analysis of dozens of studies on online therapy, the National Center for Health Research found online therapy to be equally effective as traditional therapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma.

Takeaway

All families must deal with their own unique challenges, and blended families are no exception. Learning to adjust to a new-to-you family, whether you are a stepparent, stepchild, or biological parent, takes time, patience, and work. It can be helpful to remember that struggles are normal and that you are not alone. Additionally, online therapy can help you adjust to and cope with the new family dynamics.

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