BLENDED FAMILIES 
 

The latest ABS statistics reflect that nearly 50% of all divorces granted in Australia involved children. This rate culminates in almost 43 000 children experiencing parental divorce. Moreover, the divorce rate for second marriages is almost twice as high as it is for first marriages. On top of these, we can add:​ 

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• Co-dwelling couples (couples who have lived together and then separate).This may happen once or multiple times in the life-span of a child. 

• Dating couples (couples who have not lived together but who have introduced their children to the partner (may also be once or more).
   

Couples face many challenges in navigating a new relationship. Each person brings to the relationship his or her own personal history, personality type, habits, relationship expectations, culture, family-of-origin ‘norms’, personal values and beliefs, and all that we have learnt through our development and previous relationships… and we haven’t even factored children into the equation yet.

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At one time or another blended families may need to manage:
 

• how the children getting along, or don’t any perceived sense of favouritism

• reduced personal space

• the different needs of each child

• the level of like or dislike a child has for the step-parent

• mismatched parenting

• the different values of each adult

• how much time the children want to spend in each of their households

• distribution of finances and time spent with each child

 

Is it any wonder the journey can be an arduous one? A quality therapist takes no sides and sees things from an unbiased perspective. Thus, enabling them to offer constructive strategies to help the family move toward a greater level of well-being.