What is a blended family?

A blended family is a family unit formed when two individuals enter into a relationship and bring a child or children from one or both of their previous relationships.

A family may refer to themselves using terms like “blended family,” “stepfamily,” or even “bonus family.

Children in the blended family may live with the family full-time, part-time, or occasionally depending on the child arrangements.

Blended families are becoming increasingly common in the United Kingdom. Approximately 1 in 10 children now live in a blended family, with stepparents and stepsiblings all under one roof.