Support for step parents at Christmas

[AnxiousSM]

Just a note / thread for step parents finding Christmas really hard, you’re not alone.
It’s the most difficult time, you’re not horrible for not wanting the drama and difficulties, it’s normal. Try and get through it however you can. Remember you matter too, it’s your Christmas too.

@FourDecades The ‘RP’ being encouraging of kids relationship with ‘NRP’ and respect/cooperation around visits from both sides is most important.

Then the attitude of the parent towards their ex’s partner is key.

Usually but not always the partner of the NRP has the harder time.

The RP can have a big influence on their DCs attitude to ex’s partner in small seemingly passive ways - even from small things like mood or how facilitating they are of kids relationship with the partner.

By facilitating I don’t mean arranging dinner dates between everyone, only that the parent stays neutral about the partner, only briefly speaks or asks about them unless the child raises an issue.

Children will form their own opinion about and develop the relationship with the partner how suits them over time.