The Step and Blended Family Institute Blended Families and Step Parenting Support at The Step Institute
* Is living in a Blended Family or a Stepfamily “more than you bargained for?”
* Does step parenting feel like the most challenging and thankless job of all?
* Is the tension and conflict taking its toll on your relationships
* Are you becoming worried about your children and their well-being?
* Are you constantly arguing with your partner about the kids, discipline and parenting in general?
• Is your ex or your partner's ex causing real problems in your blended family and in your relationship
• Are you at the end of your rope and need some answers NOW
* Are you considering entering into a Blended Family or Stepfamily and want to be prepared?
Definitions
Stepfamily: A stepfamily is any committed relationship where at least one of the partners has a child, or children from a previous relationship.
Blended Family: A blended family is a union where in addition to one or both partners bringing children to the situation (as in a stepfamily), the new couple have had at least one child together.
Relationships on the Road to "Step": Single, separated or divorced individuals with children, who are contemplating a new relationship; also, individuals without children who are considering a relationship with someone who has children from a previous relationship. Two individuals both with children, who are contemplating a partnership together. Even at the dating stage, the issues of "Step" are real and playing out and need to be thoughtfully considered and planned for.
Blended Family and Stepfamily Facts and Statistics
Step and Blended Families: " The Silent Majority "
The family of the new millennium is a stepfamily. There will soon be more stepfamilies and blended families than intact, original, or nuclear families.- Close to 40% of all marriages end in divorce (in Canada); the rate is higher, approximately 50% in the US
- 75% remarry or re-couple
- 66% of these unions (stepfamilies) break up when children are involved
- Children suffer the loss of family once again when step/blended families break down.
- The impacts of family breakdown on children are varied and serious; many children experience persistent academic, social, emotional, financial and relationship difficulties as a result. (Read: The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce by Judith Wallerstein)
- Partnership skills are crucial but are usually not adequate to the enormous task of building a stepfamily or blended family.
- Family members often remain in denial and/or suffer in silence. Few families seek outside help. Some refer to stepfamilies and blended families as “the last group in the closet.”
- Traditional therapy that focuses on the nuclear model of the family is limited in it’s ability to help step and blended families with different and very complex issues. We utilize a model and approached specifically tailored to stepfamily dynamics and issues.
- Society fails to acknowledge the extent and impact of these issues and as a result, families remain under- resourced.
The Good News
Most of the problems in any stepfamily or blended family situation are a result of the step dynamics, not the people involved. (Stepfamily Foundation, Inc.)- When stepfamilies or stepparents receive guidance, support and direction tailored to the unique challenges experienced in their situation, they radically increase their chances for success in building stable, healthy families.
Full Acknowledgement given to Jeanette Lofas, PhD, LCSW,
Founder and President of the Stepfamily Foundation Inc. www.StepFamily.org
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