Talking about stepfathers and stepmothers!

I believe the role of stepparents is one of the most delicate in the family! Those roles are no longer seen as taboo and currently are more frequent than we imagine.

For this new family who’ll be formed some care needs to be taken so that the relationship grows with respect, limits and affections. Firstly is important to have the clarity that this family already existed before your arrival, so you are the person who needs to find your space in it. That means figuring out how the family works, their habits, routine and more. So that this new member of the family can take his place and have a healthy relationship with everyone!

In families with small children it is common that stepparents perform the parenting function and so it is important for the adults to define the rules with respect and clarity with his or her partner to avoid misunderstanding. 

An approach that helps improving the relationship between stepparents and stepchildren is when parents appropriately differentiate between the love and intimacy they share with this new partner and the intimacy and love that their children have with this new person in the family. Therefore, it is advisable to make the approach gradually, giving time for everyone to know each other and discover spaces, activities and care necessary for the harmony of relationships. Parents need to preserve moments in the relationship with their children without the stepparent and individually with each one.

See you next time,

Laura