A special information package brought to you by Cochrane Family and Community Support Services.

Divorce and separation are common in today’s world.

But the challenges don’t end once the paperwork is finalized.

Becoming a step-family can bring as much stress and anxiety for parents and children as the divorce itself.

The new family unit can be exciting and rewarding, but can also come with many challenges: new traditions, routines and family roles can be daunting!
During this transition, children will experience a range of emotions.

They may be pleased for their parent and excited about their new “dad” or “mom.”

On the other hand, they may miss their old traditions and they may feel divided loyalties, leading to rejection, isolation and loneliness.

As a parent, you can help by listening and acknowledging their emotions, reassuring their fears and worries and providing unconditional love.

The key to creating a mutually loving and respectful step-family is to re-create traditions and celebrations that honour special occasions without forgetting the past.

Children do not want to give up all their own traditions, but they do need a sense of identity with their new step-family.

Help children feel secure and safe during the transition by establishing consistent, predictable routines, expectations and ground rules.

Parents will appreciate this too, as they struggle to find a compromise between parenting and discipline styles.

Family meetings are a great way to talk about expectations and hear everyone’s opinion and feedback.

Keep meetings to 15 minutes or less; include children in the process and decision-making (they often have creative and interesting suggestions!).

This helps give them a sense of ownership and make them feel as though they are a part of the family unit.
Parenting Tip: You may not have a close, loving relationship with your step-children overnight. Be patient — it will take time and effort.

Remember, it’s normal for children to feel somewhat insecure and resentful about newcomers to the household.

The Western Rocky View Parent Link Centre has resources and tips to assist families experiencing divorce, separation and blending.

For more information please contact Western Rocky View Parent Link Centre, located at 209 2nd Avenue West, or phone at 403-851-2250.

You might also be interested in the workshop Effective Co-Parenting: Putting Kids First.

It runs Thursdays, Sept. 17 to Oct. 22, from 7-9 p. m.

It’s a six-week course that works through the issues many parents go through with their co-parent and teaches specific strategies on ways to communicate more effectively with your co-parent and children in order to be the best possible parent.

Register with your co-parent or by yourself.

Presented by the Western Rocky View Parent Link Centre and the Triple P Positive Parent Parenting Program,  funded by the Town of Cochrane.

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