Blended Families - Solving the Problem You Have

My mentor asked me to coach someone she knew regarding Six Sigma and LEAN Certification. While I was talking with this woman, we started talking about our blended families. We both have different, yet rather unusual situations where the first and second wives get along very well.

I, for example, get along very well with my husbands first wife. After all, we share children, and it seems silly to me that she should be without her kids on "our holidays" so she just comes to our house. It has worked well for 10 years and everyone seems happy. Outsiders are often confused, but I just smile and say, "It works for us."

But the conversation this morning got me to thinking about problems. For me, my "ex-wife in-law" problem was easy to solve, because I solved for the problem that I had. The kids love their mom, they love their dad, their dad loves me, no sweat. Let's eat turkey together.

Why shouldn't I approach process related problems the same way. How can I stay in scope? How can I avoid the creep? By solving for the problem I have. Not the problem I think I have. Not the problem I fear. Not the problem I anticipate. Not the problem I see other people having.

A little less drama. A little more practicality. A little less talk and a little more listening. A step back. Some time to think. A mentor. Some consultation. And a plan. It really does work.

So the kids are grown now. And how do they feel about me? They're good to me and call me on Mother's Day.

Probably helps that I get along with their real mother.