Project Purpose: To create a space for fostering the healing transition of step families to enriching family units in which each member feels whole and safe in their new roles.
Rationale behind word choice:
- healing – acknowledges that the dissolution of a family is traumatic, no matter how well it’s done
- transition – acknowledge the inevitable
- step families – it’s a known term; note that we also agreed project should focus on “official” step-families, where a substantial commitment has been made thru marriage to keep the new family structure
- enriching – implies growth
- family units – shift context from losing a family to reconstituting a relationship, creating a new “whole”
- whole – <can’t remember!>
- safe – <can’t remember!>
- new roles – this is key to successfully navigating the transition and a way we can be most helpful
November 28, 2007 at 11:46 am
I’ve been thinking about this statement and propose we simplify it a bit. Here are some options (some of them still complex, but it’s a work-in-progress):
- Transforming the experience of “stepfamily” into one of unity, safety, and love for all family members.
- Transforming step families into enriching family units. Creating wholeness and safety for every family member through role clarity and generous listening.
Another take is to think in term of an OUTCOME:
Parents and step-parents across the US have transformed their communication such that FAMILY is an experience of love.