Families in Australia are increasingly under pressure and divorce rates are high. These rates climb to over 50% for second marriages. Sadly, due to complex dynamics, step families with children have the highest rates of all.

Step-family environments can be extremely enriching as well as challenging. New relationships change family dynamics, and can also create concern with the family of origin. These are times that effective Family Dispute Resolution can create an opportunity for open dialogue, airing of concerns, building bridges of understanding and crafting of agreements designed to help reassure parents and children of a safe and happy family environment.

Unfortunately most people wait too late to ask for help. When disputes have escalated and entrenched, some family members in conflict are often no longer prepared, or feel able to work at staying together.

Phone us 1300 367 330 to find out how we can assist you.

Complex family dynamics, attachment issues, competing priorities and relationships, different rules, power struggles, families of origin, children spending time with other parent – and their new partner and their children, new siblings, new places, new schools, step parents, parents struggling to balance the day to day difficulties, step children acting out, trying to stay visible or out of sight, the environment can become toxic if not managed early and appropriately.

To enable the authentic voices of step children to be heard, Child Inclusive Practice can bring their concerns into the mediation. For further information about Child Inclusive Practice, see Parenting page