Handout 25
Children's feelings in repartnered families
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Resenting the step-parent:
seen to be replacing their natural parent
seen as heralding the finish of the original family.
Being disciplined by someone with whom they have little relationship.
Grieving the loss of their original family.
Feeling replaced by new family members for example step-parent, stepsiblings, new baby.
Confusion about new ways of operating in this family.
Missing the non-residential parent and other significant family members such as grandparents or siblings.
Feeling in competition with step-parent for parent's love and attention.
Experiencing loss of familiar surroundings, friends, school, neighbourhood.
Adapted from: Gerrard, I., and Howden, M., Making Stepfamilies Work - A Course for Couples, Stepfamily Association of Victoria Inc., 1998, Melbourne.