In its most basic sense, a step family forms when you and your partner make a life together with children from one or both of your previous relationships, and a blended family is specifically one where you have a baby together, too. Forming a blended family can be both a rewarding and challenging experience. Developing an understanding of the dynamics unique to your own is essential to ensure you can all embrace its strengths, and work through its differences.

A step or blended family is not a new construct, they have been around and commonly found in our society for thousands of years. A step family is also not a rare phenomenon - the latest statistics taken from the 2021 ONS census, show that step-families make up around 5% of the total number of families in the UK - and the fact is that these statistics are likely to be vastly under-reported because of great complexity gathering and reporting the data.

So, if they're not new, and they're not rare, why do we struggle with them so much? Why is the step-parent an often vilified character? This topic has fascinated me for over twenty years, and is one of the main reasons I decided to retrain in the first place, as well as the subject of my MA research, podcast and the topic of my book, Step Up.

Creating a successful new blended family takes time, as well as conscious and responsible effort and behaviours from all those that are a part of the family. This includes the step-parent, the biological parent(s), and the children if they are old enough to take responsibility for their own actions - as well those in the extended family - co-parents, grandparents, friends.

I wanted to create a space where those new to step-parenting could receive support and guidance, have a safe place to share and understand their lived experiences, learn some best practice tips and guidance, and better understand the influence and role they have to play within the family unit.

Please contact me if you are interested in working with me to help improve the health and dynamic of your blended family.