A Hard Act To Follow – Step-Parenting In Australia Today

Stepfamilies are becoming increasingly common in these days of high divorce rates. It is estimated that approximately 38,000 new stepfamilies are formed in Australia each year.

Why do people say step-parenting is such hard work? Maybe it’s because step-parents are expected either to replace the irreplaceable, or to struggle to prove they are not the wicked guardians the children fear. Or could they be trying too hard – trying to get too close too soon?

In this book forty Australians who are step-parents, partners of step-parents, or both, talk about their experiences: the unreal expectations they faced, the ambiguity of their place in the family, and the challenges of relating to stepchildren, co-existing with former partners and keeping the step-couple bond alive.

This is a book for anyone seeking a better understanding of the hazards of step-parenting and the real opportunities for growth that the experience offers.