What issues should I think about before I start a blended family?

You will need to face a number of practical issues when you re-marry or enter into another relationship, and form a blended family. For example,

Legal

Are you clear about your legal position when you re-marry? For example the responsibilities of a step-parent towards his or her stepchildren? Or the effect of re-marriage on a previously made Will?

Housing

How much space will you need? What are the views of the children about sharing a room with a stepbrother or stepsister whom they hardly know? This may be a practical solution, but that does not make it easy or acceptable. Would it be easier if you had a new start in a new home? Is that possible and would that be the best use of your finances?

Finances

What are your costs going to be? How will re-marriage affect income from sources such as social security benefits or maintenance by a former partner? How will you manage your finances so that no member of the new family will feel disadvantaged?

Second marriages and blended families can be exciting and rewarding for their members. But there is no magic, and a number of challenges will need to be faced.

Allow time, and discuss things as openly as you can.

Consider doing a course run by Relationships Australia that deals with the issues of living in a blended family.

If you are unsure whether to proceed with re-marriage, or if you are finding things heavy going after you have taken that step, consider using our Counselling Services.

A counsellor's experience of the challenges and difficulties of re-marriage and blended families could be of great help to you. It makes more sense to address your concerns now, than to ignore them and hope for the best.