Stepfamily Dynamics - Narratives of Stepfamily Mothers
(edited May 2006)
Stepfamilies
There are so many different ways that people live together these days, there is no longer such a thing as a normal family if there ever was. If your family includes children who are your partners but not yours (ie stepchildren) it can't be assumed you will love them automatically. That can make things difficult for all of you.
People in stepfamily situations don't always think that they are in one. However, if you or your ex-partner are in a new relationship, or if your new partner has children already then that is your situation.
Step families come in many different shapes and sizes. In one family, a child may have different parents, and different brothers and sisters than another, one adult may be a parent and the other not, or both may be parents but have no children between them. You may have seperated from your partner and he or she is in a new relationship so that your children have a stepparent. It can get very complicated.
Talking Stepfamilies
Ongoing Therapy Group - Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30 pm with Claire Asherson Bartram & Angelika Wienrich Highgate NW5
From January 2007 we will be running a group for any stepfamily members over the age of 18 on Tuesday evenings. If you are interested please contact Claire or Angelika
Would you like to be involved?
I am in the process of researching this for a practitioner doctorate. I am a stepfamily mother myself and am interested in working with other mothers from stepfamilies and learning about your experiences. I am looking for mothers with older children who were in a stepfamily while their children grew up. and intend to set up therapeutic services for couples and individuals from modular and step families. If you would like t be involved in my research or would like to know more please email me: Claire Asherson Bartram