My husband and I learned that blending our families was a terrible mistake. Now we live alongside each other.

The author married her husband and imagined her life as a "Brady Bunch" family.

Courtesy of the author

• I married into a big blended family and quickly learned optimism wasn't enough.
• Forcing us to "blend" backfired, exposing clashing kids, cultures, and parenting styles.
• Letting our families live side by side saved our marriage and brought real peace.

When my husband and I decided to get married seven years ago, we pictured a modern "Brady Bunch."

Between us...