Have you been a Stepparent for a while and still struggling?

Have you tried all the theory and found it did not work out as planned? Have you fluctuated between being strict and soft, friend and foe, provider and non-provider? Are you wondering what being a stepparent really means now?

As stepparents we feel we live on the precarious edge of ʻIn or Outʼ of favour with our step kids - and biological parent. We know that learning on the job is not unusual for any form of parenting, however because we are a stepparent, usually the grace needed from children is not so easily granted. We stick up for house-rules and almost immediately lose affection. We make a poor judgement call and instead of it being put down to experience, itʼs turned into a flogging stick by either the biological parent, child, teen or onlookers alike. This is common - and there is another way.

Since over 60% of adult relationships involving the stepparent/child relationship end, it is easy to see that these issues do not just disappear. Left ignored, the cracks that are appearing are more than likely going to cost you the relationship with the person you first fell in love with - and the kids. So where do we turn to get the help needed?

You can confidently turn to us - The Complex Family Foundation - supporting all those within the Complex Family is our primary aim. Founded by Jill Darcey, following her own experiences and many years of working with others in similar situations, she and the rest of the team, have discovered that there are many different ways of making the Complex Family work, and avoid becoming another sad statistic. We value stepparents - who you are as people, what you bring to the family, add to the childrenʼs lives and the way you help to make our families whole again. We have specialist programmes for Stepparents where you laugh and learn, and if you would like to, share with others in this journey too.

Like some assistance with your next steps?