It is not uncommon for people to remarry, to feel grateful for a second opportunity at true love. Hopefully, family and friends will welcome the new spouse, but this is not always the case. This can be particularly true with children who may feel conflicted about their parent’s new partner. The term stepparent is used to describe a person who is married to a child’s biological or adoptive parent of a child, while the stepparent has no biological connection to the child nor has the stepparent adopted the child.

According to The Stepfamily Foundation, the U.S. Census Bureau has found that:

• 1,300 new stepfamilies are forming every day.

• Over 50% of US families are remarried or recoupled.

• The average marriage in America lasts only seven years.

• One out of two marriages end in divorce.

• 75% remarry.

• 66% of those living together or remarried break up, when children are involved.

• 80% of remarried, or re-coupled, partners with children both have careers.

• 50% of the 60 million children under the age of 13 are currently living with one biological parent and that parent’s current partner.