Names, New Partners, Step Siblings and Blended Families

Names can also be an emotive issue. The permission of the parent with parental responsibility is required before a change of name.

The introduction of new partners and creating  blended families can be a common trigger for a deterioration in a co-parenting relationship.  Consider having a rule at the outset that you will not introduce the children to a new partner for a particular period of time.

Consider also whether it will be possible to offer the other parent the opportunity to meet a new partner with whom you’re in a committed relationship before they meet with the children.

What could be very destructive is the drip feeding of information via the children which leads to suspicion and an erosion of any trust which has formed between co-parents.