StepFamily Quiz

Test your knowledge of stepfamilies by taking our short lighthearted quiz.

Answer TRUE or FALSE to the following questions. The answers and further explanations are give below - no cheating now.....

1. TRUE / FALSE:  Attachment between the stepparent and their stepchildren needs to happen as quickly as possible. 

2. TRUE / FALSE:  Children aged 9 to 15 usually have the most difficulty in adjusting to the new stepfamily. 

3. TRUE / FALSE:  Children of divorce and remarriage are always damaged. 

4. TRUE / FALSE:  The stories and myths about wicked stepmothers do not affect today's stepmothers. 

5. TRUE / FALSE:  It is not unusual for a stepfamily to take at least 4 yrs to feel like a solid unit. 

6. TRUE / FALSE:  It helps stepfamily adjustment if the non residential parent  withdraws. 

7. TRUE / FALSE:  Stepfamilies formed after a parent dies are easier.

8. TRUE / FALSE:  Part time stepparenting is easier than when the children live with you all the time.

9. TRUE / FALSE:  A strong couple relationship is an important part in forming a strong stepfamily.

Question 1: FALSE

Attachment  won't happen straightaway. All new relationships take time to form and become strong and the older the children, the longer the process. Try  not to hold any unrealistic expectations for developing a parental role  with your children at the beginning of the relationship, let things  develop slowly and naturally. Stepfamilies take time to adjust and  establish their own ways of doing things.

Question 2: TRUE
Older  children have a longer history with biological parents. They can be  very egocentric – eg. YOU have messed up MY life. They can also be  embarrassed by divorce and remarriage and worried about what others will  think. Older children are also the most susceptible to loyalty  conflicts, they are more aware of relationships and what they mean.  Younger children think more simplistically and are more inclusive. They  can easily love everyone!  

Question 3: FALSE 

It is important to know that most children (more than 85%) in all family  types do not have severe dysfunction (eg. academic failure, chronic  depression).  

Question 4. FALSE  

Stereotypes have an effect on everyday life. Stepparents are generally portrayed  very negatively in fairy tales. Some stepmothers have been known to try  and over compensate to avoid being labelled the ‘wicked stepmother’  

Question 5. TRUE  

Instant love simply does not exist. This is an unrealistic expectation and one which you need to avoid.  

Question 6. FALSE  

Although some co-parenting relationships can be very challenging and stressful  for the adults, it is very important that children have contact with  both their biological parents where possible. When a child has no  contact with their other parent, they may build fantasies about them.  Unless there is abuse, a child benefits from contact with both parents.  

Question 7. FALSE  

A new stepparent may have a very difficult time competing with the idealized memory a child holds for a parent who had died.  

Question 8. FALSE  

Step parenting when children don't live with you all the time can be even  more challenging than if stepchildren live full time in the household.  Roles are often ambiguous and part time stepparents may find it  particularly difficult in enforcing disciplinary issues with their stepchildren.  

Question 9. TRUE  

The couple relationship is the newest and therefore the most vulnerable  relationship in the family. It is the heart of the stepfamily, since it  created the family. Building strength in the couple relationship helps  to keep the family strong as a whole.