‘It’s not an easy thing to do:’ Australian Survivor couple El Rowland and Lee Carseldine explain how they manage to make their blended family work while living apart
They found love while stranded on a beach in Samoa, during filming for Australian Survivor, in 2016.
And Lee Carseldine, 43, and Elena ‘El’ Rowland, 35, have been making their blended family work ever since – even if they live apart.
El, who is mother to one son, Darcy, while Lee has two sons, Sam and Jake, explained to The Daily Telegraph that it can be ‘crazy’ making it work at times.
‘It’s not an easy thing to do:’ Australian Survivor couple El Rowland and Lee Carseldine explain how they manage to make their blended family work while living apart. Lee and El are pictured with their sons Darcy, Sam and Jake
‘It’s crazy bringing two families together, especially around Christmas time,’ she told the publication.
After the couple initially moved in together, Elena is now residing in Brisbane’s South Bank with Darcy, and she spends time with her son at the flat while Lee is bonding with his boys at his own home.
It’s a balancing act, she tells the publication, admitting: ‘It’s not an easy thing to do but Lee and I have got a really good balance’.
El also addressed the challenges of having her very own Brady Bunch in a candid Instagram post in February.
It’s a balancing act, she tells the publication, admitting: ‘It’s not an easy thing to do but Lee and I have got a really good balance’. Pictured Lee and El
She told her fans: ‘A massive shout out to all the blended families out there grasping at togetherness like we are. Lee and I have tried everything, I mean EVERYTHING to unite as a family.
‘There are days when I think we are winning the war on blending and others where I feel like giving up and leaving. Either way we are both willing to try anything’.
Speaking to Nine Honey, El explained ‘anything’ includes: ‘psychology sessions, Darcy and I moving out, making rules in the house, one-on-one time with kids, counselling the kids, doing super-fun things with the kids, understanding them’.
Blended! El told her fans: ‘A massive shout out to all the blended families out there grasping at togetherness like we are’. Pictured Lee and El
Last year, the reality show lovebirds spoke with OK! Magazine about walking down the aisle.
When asked about wedding plans or a marriage proposal in the imminent future, El joked: ‘I’m still waiting!’
The happy pair began dating after spending 55 days on an abandoned island in Samoa in 2016.
Met on TV! The happy pair began dating after spending 55 days on an abandoned island in Samoa in 2016 during filming for Australian Survivor