With the therapist's guidance, the family developed a "new deal" – a set of agreements and expectations that worked for everyone. This included:

: Establishing a sustainable pace for the "marathon" of step-parenting. Conclusion

: Do not jump back in to "save the day" when your partner forgets a task you've handed back. The system only works if the biological parent feels the weight of the responsibility. 4. Benefits of the New Deal Reduced Conflict