Discover the Keys to a Healthy StepfamilyLeading stepfamily expert Ron L. Deal reveals the seven fundamental steps to blended family success and provides practical, realistic solutions to the issues you face as a stepfamily. Whether married or soon-to-be-married, you'll discover how to- Solve the everyday puzzles of stepparenting and stepchildren relationships- Communicate effectively with an ex-spouse- Handle stepfamily finances confidently- "Cook" your stepfamily slowly rather than expect an instant blendThis revised and expanded edition has updated research and two new chapters with even mo... View More...
Help for Stepdads from Leading Expert The Smart Stepdad gives you all the tools you need to navigate the stepparenting minefield, such as how to connect with the kids, how to be a godly role model, and how to handle tricky issues like discipline. View More...
Daily Inspiration and Wisdom for Blended FamiliesGot a minute? Then you have time for a daily dose of encouragement and wisdom for your stepfamily journey. These 365 short and sweet thoughts will keep your family blending and bonding throughout the year. Topics include parenting and stepparenting, strengthening your marriage, grief in the stepfamily, bonding with children, co-parenting with exes, practical wisdom for bringing family members together, and inspirational stories to lift your spirits and keep you stepping in the right direction. This book also addresses special days like Mother's ... View More...
Make This Marriage Last a LifetimeLeading blended family authority Ron Deal and marriage and family expert David Olson show you how to build on your relationship strengths and improve your weaknesses. Whether you're dating, engaged, a young stepfamily, or an empty-nest couple, The Smart Stepfamily Marriage gives you the tools you need at any stage to create a remarriage that will last.Each chapter of this book explores one of the key qualities of happy remarriages as identified by research. Like a GPS for your relationship, this book has built-in discussion questions that can help you and your... View More...
Money issues are a frequent source of conflict in all marriages. But blended families are a monetary minefield. Debts, bills, and child support payments from previous relationships often influence the finances of a blended family. And planning for college expenses, retirement, and inheritance gets even more complicated in remarriage. These issues can explode couple unity and blow up developing family harmony.However, proper blended family money management can make money an asset to your relationship, not a liability. The authors use over 50 years of combined financial planning and blended fami... View More...
Practical Ideas You Can Use TodayIn this down-to-earth book, Laura Petherbridge offers real answers from someone who's walked in your shoes--and not only survived, but thrived as a stepmom. Here you'll find compact solutions arranged by topic, such as parenting, coping with the children's biological mom, finances, and dealing with the holidays. You will learn - how to better understand your blended family- what to do when you feel like an outsider- ways to navigate the drama- keys to gaining the respect of your stepkidsThese bite-sized tips are perfect for a busy stepmom, offering at-a-glance ... View More...
Let stepfamily experts Ron L. Deal and Laura Petherbridge show you how to survive and thrive as a stepmom, including how to be a positive influence on the children and how to deal with conflict, as well as practical issues like dealing with holidays and between-home communication. View More...
Love may be sweeter the second time around, but once the bliss of a newfound relationship wears off a little, the reality of being part of a stepfamily sets in. If you are one of the millions of remarried Americans facing the challenge of blending two existing families into one cohesive whole, you are part of a stepcouple--and you know all too well how hard it can be to make your marriage work in sometimes tough terrain. Different parenting styles, finances, relationships with ex-spouses, legal matters, and even seemingly simple issues such as the kinds of chores assigned to children can chise... View More...