Blended family

A blended family, or stepfamily, is a family that brings together children from previous relationships, so it may include stepparents, stepsiblings and half-siblings. Blended families are common: in 2010, more than 10% of U.S. households with children included step- or adoptive siblings, according to a review of sibling research (opens in a new tab).

The AAP (opens in a new tab) says one of the biggest challenges is helping each parent's children become comfortable living together as brothers and sisters. Its advice:

• go slowly; children brought together with little preparation are unlikely to bond right away, and an early honeymoon period often gives way to conflict;
• expect some competition, much of it for parents' attention;
• don't expect stepsiblings to spend all their time together, and give each child time alone with their own parent;
• protect privacy and personal belongings, especially when children share rooms;
• avoid loading one child with babysitting the other parent's young children;
• at first, let each parent lead discipline of their own children while the stepparent plays a supportive role.

Bonds in blended families can grow deep with time. See how to raise siblings who stay close and when in-laws become brothers and sisters.

What you can do today: plan one low-pressure activity that all the children in your family can enjoy together.