This Ain't the Brady Bunch...

You may or may not remember The Brady Bunch, the iconic 1969 sitcom about Mike, a widowed architect and father of three boys, who marries Carol, a mother of three girls. (Fun fact: we never find out if Carol is divorced or widowed — the network felt divorce was too risqué for prime time.)

This charming, light-hearted show was many Americans’ first introduction to the idea of a blended family — and while it was entertaining, it also created a myth that still lingers today: that blending families is easy… or at least, that it should be.

Let’s be honest: the Brady family made it look way too easy.

They never tackled real-world issues like navigating visitation schedules, co-parenting with exes, integrating different parenting styles, or managing financial strain. All six kids lived under one roof, the parents were always on the same page, and their biggest challenges were usually resolved with a heart-to-heart and a group hug by the end of the episode.

That version of family life was never the full picture — and for many modern blended families, it set up some pretty unrealistic expectations.

So What’s the Reality?

Blended families today come in many forms: • Remarriages after divorce • Unmarried partners combining households • Step-parents and step-siblings • Families navigating adoption or loss

Each has its own unique dynamics — but many of the challenges overlap. From managing conflicting loyalties, to adjusting to new routines, to navigating discipline and household rules, blending a family is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process.

And while it can absolutely be rewarding, it also takes effort, patience, and intentional support.

Where Therapy and Coaching Come In

Unlike sitcoms, real families don’t wrap things up in 22 minutes. Therapy provides space to explore the emotional side of blended family life — grief, guilt, resentment, uncertainty — without judgment. It also helps couples strengthen their communication, clarify expectations, and navigate the parenting side of their relationship more effectively.

Children in blended families often benefit from therapy as well — especially when they feel torn between parents, confused about new roles, or unsure of where they fit in.

Coaching, on the other hand, is future-focused. It’s about building structure, setting goals, and developing practical strategies — whether it’s introducing a partner to your kids, preparing for cohabitation, or adjusting to life after remarriage.

Together, therapy and coaching offer both insight and action — which is exactly what most blended families need.

Let’s Stop Measuring Ourselves Against a Sitcom

The Brady Bunch was a feel-good show — but it wasn’t real life. And families shouldn’t carry shame or guilt just because their experience doesn’t look like that tidy, technicolor version.

Blended families are brave. They’re learning as they go. They’re doing the work of building something new — with all the history, love, and complexity that comes with it.

And they deserve support that sees the real picture.