Media & Press

Complex Family Foundation is changing the outdated model of the split family or broken homes, and moving into the Complex Family. A Complex Family is one who has been touched by separation, divorce or some form of family breakdown. Approximately 45% (and growing) of our population are faced with this new parenting model and primarily, in the face of adversity. The Complex Family Foundationʼs model brings hope, courage and knowledge to families who need to modify parenting techniques and bring a new style of harmony into such great diversity. Through our world-class programs, we offer education and empowerment for those who want to proactively move from just surviving, into a thriving learning environment, where our kids and teens no longer have to be compensated for because of their parents decision.

Our team has decades of experience in parenting, private enterprise and senior executive management. We have walked the talk within our own family, with our teens believing they have the 'best of both worlds'. Experienced in years of counseling, life coaching and psychotherapy, we assist in positive change.

The primary target of all our product development strategies are focused on parents working at their own pace and in their own place, using internet based technologies. The majority of the offerings are free from geographical or time restrictions, respecting the very essence of parenting: spending valuable time with children.

Vision

Delivering world-class parental programs for the Complex Family, inspiring and practical by nature, developing real families.

Membership

Complex Family Foundation offers Free Membership for parents, stepparents, grandparents, teenagers, teachers, therapists, and life coaches.

Products & Services

Complex Family Foundation offers an extensive suite of products and services to assist those affected by separation, divorce or some form of family breakdown. Our products and services also include material to assist employers and professionals working with or alongside those in a complex family situation.

Press Articles

Step-parents need to change tactics - researchers

Simon Collins - NZ Herald, 22nd October 2011

New step-parents who jump in and act like real parents are asking for trouble, claims a new study.

Auckland University researchers have found that children are more likely to want their step-parent to be a "friend" than a "parent", and want their biological parent to stay in charge of discipline.

It may sound like common sense. Yet Dr Vicki Mobley, a clinical psychologist who has just completed her doctorate on the issue, has found that parents and step-parents still want to create a more traditional "nuclear family" pattern... [View on nzherald.co.nz]

Divorce New Zealand Style

Shelley Bridgeman - NZ Herald, 9th October 2010

Not every marriage is a happy ever after. Roughly one third end in divorce - but they don’t necessarily have to end in tears. Shelley Bridgeman talked to experts and those who've been though it to find out how to survive the modern divorce...

So what's the best way to tell the children their parents are divorcing? Jill Darcey, founder of the Complex Family Foundation and author of Parenting with the Ex Factor, is an expert in this area... [View on nzherald.co.nz]

Jill Darcey ... helping to smooth the path

Alan Ebdale - Torbay Newsletter, 6th September 2010

About 10,000 families are affected by divorce every year, affecting the lives of about 9000 children.

Local resident and author Jill Darcey feels so strongly about the plight of split families she has not only written a book on the subject but set up a foundation to help families in the future.

"I was married for 10 years and when it ended, I was with three children under five years old..." [View on torbay.co.nz]

Separation Anxiety

Kate Mead - Sunday Star Times, Escape, 8th August 2010

Divorce is a painful, emotionally fraught time. And when children are involved, the effects can be devastating. Each family member faces new routines and big changes.

It's a dynamic that's been coined the "complex family" by New Zealand family counsellor Jill Darcey, author of Parenting with the Ex Factor and founder of the Complex Family Foundation. The idea of this term, Darcey explains, is to replace the negative connotations of phrases such as 'broken home' with a neutral concept... [View on PressDisplay.com]

Mum Writes on Divorce and Parenting

Lisa Honeybone - Eastern Courier, 6th August 2010

Going through her own divorce and raising children in a complex family has helped an Auckland author write Parenting With the Ex Factor.

Jill Darcey says she "fell" into writing and began penning her first book about 18 months ago.

She has a diverse background with 10 years as a counsellor and coach on issues related to marriage breakdowns and has also been involved in human resources, marketing and IT...
[View on Stuff.co.nz]

Blog Articles

The following articles may only be used with written permission from Complex Family Foundation:

1. How to Avoid a Birthday Disaster for Your Child Complex Family Admin 03-Nov-2011
2. The Best Way for Divorced Parents to Get Active Complex Family Admin 03-Nov-2011
3. Managing Money Matters Complex Family Admin 03-Nov-2011
4. Father's Day... Why Bother? Complex Family Admin 01-Sep-2011
5. How do I talk with my children about sexuality? Complex Family Admin 28-Jun-2011
6. My Ex bought our children mobile phones even when I said 'No!' Complex Family Admin 19-Jun-2011
7. My children fall short of the Ex's high expectations; now what? Complex Family Admin 10-Jun-2011
8. Should I Let My Child's Teacher Know We're Divorced? Complex Family Admin 02-Jun-2011
9. How do I stop the gossip about me and my Ex?! Complex Family Admin 13-May-2011
10. What is the Best Co-Parenting Routine or Plan? Complex Family Admin 08-Apr-2011
11. My Ex Calls Our Kids Every Day ... It's So Invasive! Complex Family Admin 17-Mar-2011
12. When Your Ex's Partner is Stepparent Complex Family Admin 14-Mar-2011
13. When Your Children Mess Up; The Ticket or the Lecture? Complex Family Admin 08-Mar-2011
14. How to Get Routines & Parenting Plans Working for You Complex Family Admin 13-Nov-2010
15. My Teen Wants to Live with the Ex Complex Family Admin 13-Nov-2010
16. Do My Children Have One Home or Two? Complex Family Admin 13-Nov-2010
17. My House is Quiet … Too Quiet! Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
18. What To Do with Lateness or No-Shows with Your Ex Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
19. Children Adjusting When They’re Home From The Ex’s Place Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
20. Handle Your Handovers - Drop Offs & Pick Ups Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
21. Working Out Shared-Parenting Routine Biggies... Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
22. Do I Have To Share My Kids With My Ex? Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
23. Your Co-Parenting Routine Options & How To Work Them Out Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
24. Why Co-Parenting Routines Are Important & How To Create Them Complex Family Admin 02-Nov-2010
25. Do You Say "Tomorrow I'll do better", Yet by 8am You're Yelling at Your Children? Complex Family Admin 01-Sep-2010
26. To wish harm for your Ex is to wish ill for your child Complex Family Admin 08-Aug-2010
27. The Greatest Gift You Can Give Children ... Wherever You Are, Be There! Complex Family Admin 23-Jul-2010
28. To speak ill of your Ex with your child says "I love you, but biologically you're 50% a jerk!" Complex Family Admin 21-Jul-2010
29. The Kids are with Me or You - but not Her! Complex Family Admin 30-Jun-2010
30. Beyond Split & Broken - Complex Instead Complex Family Admin 21-Jun-2010
31. Matrimony to Acrimony or Harmony? Complex Family Admin 14-Jun-2010
32. Is your Ex poisoning your children against you? Complex Family Admin 01-Jun-2010
33. But, You Don't Know My Ex! Liam Dilley 25-Jan-2010
34. World peace? How about Home Peace first... Liam Dilley 23-Jan-2010
35. Financial Crisis ... What do we tell our kids? Liam Dilley 22-Jan-2010
36. Christmas Day Inside the Complex Family Complex Family Admin 20-Dec-2009

Media Image Library

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