Guide to suriving Xmas for stepfamilies

STEPFAMILY SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE XMAS HOLIDAYS

* Honour the old and create the new - keep hold of important traditions but also create new ones

* Acknowledge that members of stepfamilies have no shared family histories. Don't pressure kids to feel or act in certain ways.

* Accept that perfect families don't exist and no family (stepfamily or otherwise) is immune from conflicts, divided loyalties and competition.

* Long-distance parenting can be hard. Make sure you plan ahead and use technology to keep communication open and positive

* Know that it's normal for life as a stepfamily to be tough early on

Source: Stepfamilies Australia