A blended stepfamily is one where each mate has conceived one or more kids with a prior partner. This series is designed to inform , not entertain, so there are few graphics or special Web page effects. Colors are minimized because some readers who want to print these pages lack color printers. Millions of others don't break up , but endure daily stress and unhappiness. Sadly, this seems to be true for many human-service professionals, too.
Most people focus on the surface problems, rather than the real ones.
Dependent kids in every stepfamily rely totally on their three to six related co-parents to keep them safe from another family break up. This site is dedicated to America's millions of current and prospective stepkids. I have studied stepfamily dynamics in print since 1979, and in my therapy office since 1981. This series of brief pages and worksheets distills the most pertinent and useful information I've found. Peter Gerlach , MSW, now 63.