Father of two children and two stepchildren, Joe Swash speaks about his blended family.

Joe has a 15-month-old-son, Rex with presenter Stacey Solomon and is stepdad to Stacey's sons Zach, 13 and Leighton, 8. He also has a 12-year-old-son, Harry from a previous relationship.

Joe talks about how his son, Rex, has united their blended family, how all the kids get along, hurdles he's faced as a dad and stepdad and advice to people in a stepfamily.

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This episode is sponsored by Network Rail who are working with Joe to teach children about rail safety. The Stay Safe with Thomas campaign, launched by Network Rail and Thomas & Friends™, is designed to give parents the tools to educate their children about how to keep safe when travelling on the railway.

Joe is featured in a short film reading the Stay Safe with Thomas story. Parents can use the film as an engaging way of approaching the subject of rail safety with their children. Click here to download the book and watch the film.

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Elen Stritch is a solicitor specialising in family law. She advises clients on divorce, separation and custody arrangements.

In this episode, Elen speaks about her work with blended families and how she works with them on a number of issues from custody arrangements to inheritance issues and will disputes.

For more information about Step Life go to www.steplife.co.uk or @steplifesupport on Instagram.

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Shayna, a stepmum to two boys aged 12 and 7, with different birth mums, talks about how she is struggling to establish her role in her blended family.

Claire Asherson-Bartram, a psychotherapist who works with stepfamilies, gives her advice to Shayna on how she can improve her relationship with her stepsons and partner. Claire gives her tips on things Shayna can do to feel heard and happier in her stepfamily rather than feeling invisible, isolated and alone.

Show notes:

Books mentioned in episode:

Fair Play: Share the mental load, rebalance your relationship and transform your life - Eve Rodsky

Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn't - Patricia L. Papernow

Podcast music:

Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3476-carefree

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.