A
stepfamily or
blended family is a family where at least one parent has children, from a previous relationship, that are not genetically related to the other parent. Either one or both parents may have children from a previous relationship. Children from a stepfamily may live with one biological parent, or they may live with each biological parent for a period of time. In addition,
visitation rights mean that children in stepfamilies often have contact with both biological parents, even if they permanently live with only one.