Wonderful Ways to Be a Stepparent

You may already be familiar with this little book for stepparents, but if not, you'll want to get a copy for now, and especially for the times when things get tough. It's an easy read with more than 60 suggestions for stepparents who are trying to learn, grow and thrive in their role. Called a "prescription to strengthen your family," the book remains hopeful and positive while understanding the challenges inherent in stepparenting. The book is divided into three sections: Relating to Yourself, Dealing With Your Spouse, and Interacting With the Kids. The experiences and suggestions in each part are practical and encouraging. You'll respond to the stories with warm familiarity, or you'll wish they could be your own. A couple of my favorite suggestions include: (1) Learning how to use -- and trust -- your intuition. Here, the authors encourage the stepparent to get to know her stepchildren and then to use that knowledge to improve the relationship and intuitively work through the problems that inevitably arise. (2) Solving problems with stepkids directly. This suggestions points out how much power stepparents actually have in getting their stepkids to cooperate with them. Following the advice here, it will be hard to tell who benefits more -- the stepchild or the stepparent, but it's a great way to approach conflicts for everyone involved.

I laughed, I cried... in the end, I was greatly encouraged to embark upon the exciting journey of stepparenting.I would suggest that anyone getting married to (or even seriously involved with) someone with children buy this little gem.And even though I'll be the official stepparent, I plan to have my fiance read it, too!

This book may be lacking in lengthy discussions but it certainly gave me some needed perspective and some positive advice. It reads like a collection of small advice columns... and though this format turned me off when I picked up the book, I soon grew to enjoy it, picking it up at odd moments. I like the positive nature of this book, and it was one of the few I've read that doesn't entirely focus on the "problems" of step parenting.

I LOVED this book - it gave me solace at a very rocky time in my step-parenting. Practical, concrete, and spiritual solutions to the inevitable bumps in the road. It helped me see past my stepdaughter's trying behavior to the pain and needs behind it, and to win her over (eventually!F). Get it. Read it.

This book is wonderful. It is one of the few stepparenting books I've read (and I've read a lot) that speaks to the heart and helps one see the positive in the situation. I love this book.