Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Liz
Devoted August 2021

Including kids in reception

Liz, on September 1, 2020 at 11:37 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 8

So both my FH and I have kids that we're bringing into the marriage but I'm not sure how to approach involvement.

FH: 2 sons, 23 and 25, 1 daughter 16 (all three will be groomspeople)

Me: 1 daughter 10. (MOH)

His kids still have a strong relationship with their mother and the youngest is a 50/50 split with time with her mother.

My daughter no longer has a relationship with her father as he just up and took off when she was 7 saying he no longer wanted to be a part of her life.

I really want my daughter to do a dance with my FH, which he's fine with, he just thinks its not okay to include my daughter but not his and he doesn't want to do 2 separate dances with them. He also wants me to dance with his 2 older boys, if he's dancing with the girls which is super awkward for me because they're grown adults, I will never be anything more than a friend to them.

Best that I've come up with is he dances to one song starting with his daughter and having my daughter cut in half way through. But I feel that may make his daughter feel that she's being replaced which I don't want.

Anyone have ideas on what can be done with making everyone comfortable?

8 Comments

Latest activity by Molly, on September 1, 2020 at 1:29 PM
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Instead of dances can you guys do a unity ceremony during the ceremony? that way everyone can be involved and it wouldn't be as awkward or anything.

    if you're looking for specific reception participation then maybe they can just do a speech together or you can just do specific thank you speeches to them? similar to how people say vows to their new stepkids.

    • Reply
  • Haley
    Savvy May 2023
    Haley ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’ve seen families dance together in a small circle! You can even rotate with each son/daughter so everyone gets a small dance with each other.
    • Reply
  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    All of the kids are old enough to be asked their opinion on what they would like to do. Certainly come up with some suggestions to offer, but I think it should be their call whether or not they have a "spotlight" activity.

    • Reply
  • J
    Master October 2022
    Jana ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Ask them what they want to do, if anything.
    • Reply
  • Liz
    Devoted August 2021
    Liz ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Neither of us want the unity ceremony. I know the girls are too shy to do speeches, Not really sure what either of us would say in a speech??? I do like the vow to the step kids things, but then he would want it reciprocated to his daughter, which makes me feel weird, because at her age I'm not going to be a parent to her.

    • Reply
  • Liz
    Devoted August 2021
    Liz ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    We've talked to them about it. The girls are too much of people pleasers that they would say yes to anything we threw at them.

    • Reply
  • J
    Master October 2022
    Jana ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Let them be comfortable. If they don't want a spotlight event or are too shy, don't push it on them. Not every blended family has to focus on the kids at the wedding. Let them be guests without obligations if that's what they prefer. If you have a father/daughter dance, don't make it a spotlight event..just blend in with other dancers and both daughters can participate at their choosing.
    • Reply
  • Molly
    VIP September 2020
    Molly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I would do a unity ceremony and skip the dances. The kids might be uncomfortable and not want to speak up about it.

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics