Getting a Perspective
The Issues
Step-parenting always contains elements of grief and loss. Whether this is through death or through separation and/or divorce, it is a consistent factor and needs to be recognised and addressed before dealing with any other issues.
As with any other relationships, we bring into them
'baggage' from the past; good, bad and indifferent. This
will affect any new relationship. The relationships we are
talking about here are child/ child, child/ adult and adult/ adult.
· "Blended families" are the result of dealing with the issues and is not an automatic state.
· Step-parenting is different from parenting in a family where the children have biological parents living together.
Management of the Issues
Some people are in a position to deal with these issues
without assistance. Many people are not in that position
and require professional assistance. This is not a sign that
they have failed in fact quite the reverse for as for many
other issues in our lives, we can be too close, in order to
gain a realistic perspective.
Giving Your Life Direction