By definition, one or both partners in the stepfamily will have had a previous partner. Whether the previous partner is living elsewhere or has died, he or she will influence the stepfamily in one way or another and this can be unsettling. They may be ‘present’ in an emotional way, or via grandparents and other extended family members. There may be money issues – perhaps with child support – or difficulties over contact arrangements.
While all these issues can seem very daunting, stepfamilies can also be wonderful and great fun! Keep communication open, recognise which relationships may need a little extra work, and remember that many other families go through the same things. With a little time and effort you can be a successful stepfamily – a family with its own identity and where relationships can grow stronger and deeper.