When I started out on this journey, it all seemed pretty simple: I thought that love would be enough to see me through. I had no idea what it would take to create a fully blended family - just how many factors and emotions would be involved or how deep it would all go.

How to Build a Family is the nurturing handbook I wish I'd been given. In it you'll find my experiences, as well as those of other blended families (because every family is unique), along with advice and tips from the experts who have guided me. Some key areas we'll look at are:

Dealing with grief and divorce

Helping the kids to accept you

Moving into the family home and how to make changes

Managing comparisons to previous partners

Building positive relationships with the wider family

I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers, but I will say that if you can just stick with it through the downs as well as the ups, being a stepparent can be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do.

My goal is to encourage, inspire and support families everywhere, and I really hope you find this book helpful.