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One in three children in Wales have at least one step parent in their lives. We all know step families, even if we aren鈥檛 in one ourselves. But we don鈥檛 talk much about what it鈥檚 like to be a step parent or a step child 鈥� or indeed a natural parent having to share their children with others. In this new series of We Are Family, Suzanne Packer explores the highs and the lows of step family life 鈥� from all angles. Step parents and natural parents will be offering some tips to those embarking on this journey.

Most step families start with a painful separation. In this episode, Splitting Up and Coming Together, Suzanne meets a natural mum who, with her children鈥檚 father,
put a lot of thought into how to manage the big change in their children鈥檚 lives after they separated, including some ground rules about dating. 聽

A psychologist offers some guidance about how new step parents can build a bond with the children 鈥� 鈥渟lowly, and gently does it鈥� is the key message.

Suzanne also hears from Beth and Adam about her first meeting with his children, and how they managed the early days of their relationship. 聽

Stepmothers, in particular, suffer a lot of anxiety according to research. Suzanne meets two people who run organisations offering advice and support. One of the problems is that 鈥渢here is no roadmap鈥� and society has confusing expectations of them.

But it鈥檚 not plain sailing for step dads either: Hamish tells Suzanne how a lot of his role is about giving and not expecting a lot back.

There are big challenges, but all of those she meets talk also about the joys of living in a modern blended family.