The Child of Divorce then Stepdaughter: A Blended Family | Divorce Actually Episode 13

Her parents split when she was 7. Got back together when she was 10. Split again when she was 15. And by 18, she'd gone from only child to the oldest of three brand-new step-siblings.My guest today is Denyse - a lawyer, commissioner for oaths, notary public, and a dear friend of mine. But today she's not here as a legal expert. She's here as someone who actually lived the thing so many of my divorcing clients worry about: what happens to the child. We talk through every age her family changed shape, what she understood at each one, and what she only understands now, looking back.This episode pairs with The Stepmother Side: Two Homes, One Family — two different women, two different vantage points on what it takes to blend one.00:00 Intro: Divorce, Actually01:43 Welcome, Denyse03:18 The First Split, Age Seven04:50 Dad Remarries: A New Blended Family07:32 The Weight of Being Called "Broken"09:36 Three New Step-siblings, One Complicated Family11:52 "That's Not Broken. That's Blended."13:55 Was She Relieved When Her Parents Divorced?15:41 The Double Standard for Mothers Who Leave21:45 A Childhood Conversation About Love24:29 Caught in the Middle: A Turning Point26:05 Reconciliation, Then a Second Split28:15 The Guilt She Carried as a Teenager30:16 Finding Support Outside the Family32:01 Becoming the Oldest of Three, Overnight34:40 Learning to Navigate a New Stepmother38:39 What She'd Tell Her Younger Self40:58 The Surprise Question43:06 Closing Thoughts// RESOURCES🔥 Learn how you can achieve an Amicable Divorce with my free workshop: https://divorceatelier.com/amicable-workshop🔥 Parenting Coaching with Iman: https://divorceatelier.com/parenting-sessions➤ HELP OTHERS SUBSCRIBE WITH THIS LINK: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUD7Hg4M01ZYVGTc7vuHv1g // OTHER VIDEOS TO CHECK OUTMY DAUGHTER IS ONLY HOME HALF THE TIME➤ https://youtu.be/vPMQSLZiGy8PARENTING EXPERT'S DO'S and DON'TS➤ Coming soon.... About Iman:Iman Ibrahim spent 19 years as a family lawyer in Singapore and England & Wales before founding The Divorce Atelier where she helps people navigate divorce with the decision-making, negotiation, and communication frameworks that actually move you forward. She's a CDC Certified Divorce Coach, parenting coach and mediator, and hosts Divorce, Actually.Let's connectIman Ibrahim https://www.instagram.com/theimanibrahim/Denyse Yeo https://www.linkedin.com/in/denyse-yeo-3044aa7/// DISCLAIMER This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and listening to it does not create a coach-client, lawyer-client, or therapeutic relationship. Divorce law and process vary by jurisdiction — nothing here substitutes for advice from a lawyer licensed where you live, or support from a licensed mental health professional. Paula's views are her own.KEYWORDS child of divorce, blended family, stepfamily, growing up after divorce, divorce and children, remarriage and stepchildren