Five Places To Find Support As A Blended Family

Family Hubs and Parenting Groups

Right, before you roll your eyes — I’m not talking about baby rhyme time at the library. I’m talking about the kind of spaces where actual parents show up with eyebags and half-eaten cereal bars and just want to feel a bit less crap. Some local family hubs do run stuff specifically for blended families.

You won’t always see it advertised, though, so it’s worth asking. Even if it’s just a drop-in session or a coffee morning, it gets you out of the house and around people who won’t judge you for admitting you yelled at your stepkid because they left the oven on again.

Counseling or Therapy

I know loads of people think this is only for when things are falling apart — but seriously, it’s a helpful way before that point. You don’t need to cry through a session or unpack your childhood trauma.

Sometimes it’s just somewhere to say out loud that you feel like an outsider in your own house. Or that you’re tired of always being the one to back down.

Faith-based Charities and Support

This one surprised me, but it’s worth knowing — there are a few pro-Life organisations that offer help to families, not just pregnant teens or new mothers. Some have support groups, mentoring setups, and parenting advice sessions designed for individuals trying to manage chaotic households.

They don’t shout about it, but if you ask around locally or check their sites, you’ll sometimes find stuff like free counseling, childcare help, or even someone to talk to when you just need a break from pretending everything’s fine.

Online Support Groups

This is where I go when I can’t be bothered to talk to an actual human. There are step-parenting Facebook groups that are absolute chaos, but they’re real.

People post stuff that makes you laugh out loud, cry a bit, or finally feel like you’re not the only one keeping score of how many times your partner’s ex texts in a day.

School Support (for them and you)

Finally, if the kids are off lately, don’t just assume it’s nothing. Teachers see a lot, and sometimes they clock stuff before we do.

If you give them a quiet heads-up about what’s going on at home, they might be able to offer extra support — or just keep an eye out. Most schools have someone handling pastoral care. Some even run little check-in groups for kids who are dealing with divorce or blended family stuff.

About the author

Oliver Bennett lives in Brighton, England, with his wife and their springer spaniel, Jasper. He writes about modern family life and men’s mental health, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a dad and husband. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him enjoying a good cup of tea, coastal walks, and the occasional football match.