stepfamily
Remarriage creates this
A stepfamily is a family unit formed when adults with children from previous relationships marry or partner together.
The term encompasses step-parents, stepchildren, and stepsiblings—people connected not by blood but by a parent's new relationship: Blending a stepfamily takes patience.
Also called a blended family.
Child sharing one parent
- bonus parentSpouse's kid's new parent
- co-parentingJoint child-rearing by separated adults
- remarriageWedding after divorce/widowhood
- second marriageUnion after prior dissolution
Lines marking separation
- rolesPositions or functions held
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
conflict · tension · jealousy · resentment · alliances · negotiation · compromise · acceptance
Child sharing one parent
- relativeConnected by blood
- kinshipState of being related
- in-lawsRelatives through marriage
- step-grandparentGrandparent by marriage
step-grandchild · lineage · clan · household · guardian · custodial parent · noncustodial parent
Wedding after divorce/widowhood
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- nuptialsVows and rings
- matrimonyLegal union of spouses
- vowsSolemn binding promises
ceremony · partnership · union · spouse · newlywed · second marriage · late marriage · widowed
A joining or relation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- trustConfidence in another
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
closeness · understanding · empathy · rapport · support · solidarity · commitment · relationship
half-sibling
Child sharing one parent
- bonus parentSpouse's kid's new parent
- co-parentingJoint child-rearing by separated adults
- remarriageWedding after divorce/widowhood
boundaries
Lines marking separation
- rolesPositions or functions held
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
loyalty · conflict · tension · jealousy · resentment · alliances · negotiation · compromise · acceptance · adjustment
half-sibling
Child sharing one parent
step-grandparent · step-grandchild · lineage · clan · household · guardian · custodial parent · noncustodial parent
remarriage
Wedding after divorce/widowhood
vows · ceremony · partnership · union · spouse · newlywed · second marriage · late marriage · widowed · divorced
connection
A joining or relation
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- trustConfidence in another
- acceptanceConsent to receive
affection · closeness · understanding · empathy · rapport · support · solidarity · commitment · relationship · harmony
- familymother, father, parents, siblings, parent
- family lifebirth, kinship, childbirth, pregnancy, new baby
- family termsparents, mothers, fathers, single parent, son
- family bondslove, parent-child bond, trust, sibling bond, loyalty
- kinshipmother, father, sister, brother, children
- familiesmarried couple, parents, children, siblings, single parent
stepfamilybirth family
Relatives by blood origin
blood relations · blood relatives · flesh and blood · family of origin
stepfamilynuclear family
Parents plus their offspring
first family · birth family · traditional family · family of origin · adoptive family