Encouraging Words for New Stepmothers, a portable support system, is a series of essays based on the most current research about stepfamilies and written in a conversational style, much like sitting down for tea with a knowledgeable, caring friend. Whether you need to receive support as a stepmother or wish to give support, you'll find a wealth of information at your fingertips.
The stepmother's role often is ambiguous and underappreciated, and frequently it carries unrealistic expectations. The book answers women's concerns and questions, including: How can I be a caretaker and a key emotional connector in the family if the children don't accept my influence? How shoud I cope with children who are confused about their family and torn between loyalty to their biological mother and me? When should I step back in conflicts and when should I insist that my husband stand up for me? In addition it addresses the spiritual and emotional climate of the home, providing perspective and guidelines to help stepmothers and their families thrive.
Each member has their own unique place in a family. Ron Deal explores the myth of the "blended" family offering practical, realistic solutions for stepfamilies.
You found the love of your life, and you vowed to have, to hold and to stepmother. You always thought that in time you'd grow to be the perfect, loving family. So why does it seem that the harder you try, the more unappreciated you feel? As a stepmother, therapist and founder of the popular Web site stepsforstepmothers.com, Dr. Rachelle Katz knows all too well how challenging stepmotherhood can be. Based on thousands of in-depth interviews and the latest research, she's created a powerful program to help you: * Alleviate stress and take care of yourself * Bond with your new family * Set and enforce clear boundaries * Get the respect you deserve * Strengthen your relationship
This second edition synthesizes the emerging knowledge base on the diversity of stepfamilies, their inherent concerns, and why so relatively little is still known about them. Its extensive findings shed needed light on family arrangements relatively new to the literature (e.g., cohabitating stepparents), the effects of these relationships on different family members (e.g., stepsiblings, stepgrandparents), the experiences of gay and lesbian stepfamilies, and the stigma against non-nuclear families. Coverage reviews effective therapeutic and counseling interventions for emotional, familial, and social challenges of stepfamilies, as well as the merits of family education and self-help programs. The authors explore prevailing myths about marriage, divorce, and stepfamily life while expanding the limits of stepfamily research. Among the topics included: • The cultural context of stepfamilies.• Couple dynamics in stepfamilies.• Gay and lesbian couples in stepfamilies. • The dynamics of stepparenting. • Siblings, half-siblings, and stepsiblings. • Effects of stepfamily living on children.• Clinical perspectives on stepfamily dynamics. For researchers and clinicians who work with families, it enriches the literature as it offers insights and guidelines for effective practice as well as possible avenues for future research.
This fully revised resource features: Treatment plan components for 33 behaviorally based presenting problems Over 1,000 prewritten treatment goals, objectives, and interventions—plus space to record your own treatment plan options A step-by-step guide to writing treatment plans that meet the requirements of most insurance companies and third-party payors The Group Therapy Treatment Planner, Second Edition provides all the elements necessary to quickly and easily develop formal treatment plans that satisfy the demands of HMOs, managed care companies, third-party payors, and state and federal review agencies. A critical tool for mental health professionals developing formal treatment plans for working with a variety of groups New edition features expanded coverage and outlines entirely new areas including utilizing group therapy to treat panic/agoraphobia, PTSD/trauma, adult ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder Streamlined interventions and fully updated language make this edition easier to use and more clinically applicable Saves you hours of time-consuming paperwork, yet offers the freedom to develop customized treatment plans Organized around 33 main presenting problems with a focus on applying a group therapy approach to a wide variety of disorders Over 1,000 well-crafted, clear statements describe the behavioral manifestations of each relational problem, long-term goals, short-term objectives, and clinically tested treatment options Easy-to-use reference format helps locate treatment plan components by behavioral problem Includes a sample treatment plan that conforms to the requirements of most third-party payors and accrediting agencies (including HCFA, JCAHO, and NCQA)
The thoroughly updated Third Edition of this popular handbook provides practical guidance on diagnosing and treating children with developmental and behavioral problems in the primary care setting. Chapters written in outline format address topics ranging from everyday problems such as biting and social avoidance to serious and complex psychiatric disorders such as anorexia and depression. This edition includes new chapters on dealing with difficult child behavior in the office; alternative therapy for autism spectrum disorders; treatment of autism spectrum disorders; oppositional defiant disorder; bilingualism; health literacy; incarcerated parents; and military parents. Recommended readings for physicians and parents are included. A companion website includes the fully searchable text.
Practical Solutions to the Issues Stepfamilies Face The Smart Stepfamily Participant's Guide provides discussion questions to use before and after watching the DVD, space to take notes, and bonus reading material. Includes leader instructions and guidelines for facilitating effective groups.
Stepdog is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a woman who has finally met the man of her dreams—and the dog of her nightmares. Winner of the June 2015 Elle Readers Prize Lots of dogs eat shoes, bite people, destroy furniture . . . but Eddie tried to destroy a marriage. After more than three decades of happy single womanhood, Mia Navarro wasn’t really looking to change her relationship status. The idea of being a step-anything to anyone was foreign to her, something she never thought about. . . . Until she fell in love with Jim and agreed to marry him. As it turns out, the marriage is pretty wonderful, the stepkids were, well, typical pre-teens, the weather in Los Angeles perfect. But life is not spotless. The spots belong to Jim’s mutt, Eddie. Possessive and jealous, Eddie behaves like Jim’s mistress—if a mistress could bark and compete for space on his beloved’s lap. As time goes on, a full-on war ensues. Mia slams the door in Eddie’s face, cordons off the house into dog- and wife-territories, and leaves the back door open . . . by, er, accident, of course. She even tries to leave Eddie behind in California when she and Jim abruptly relocate to New York. But in the end, it’s clear that not even a wife can come between man and dog. As Eddie ages, Mia softens, and as with any new family struggling to blend, the two must make peace with each other. Ultimately, Stepdog is a triumphant story about finding love at an unexpected stage in life and the many unforeseen obstacles—not only of the four-legged variety—that can get in the way on the road to happily ever after.
These devotions provide companionship, encouragement, understanding, and biblical insights from a veteran stepmom. This trusted resource will help you gain strength, wisdom, and comfort as you navigate the rocky terrain of creating a blended family. You will learn how to: Trust a loving God when the kids do not. Find unity in your new marriage and parenting through grace and understanding. Explore your worth in Christ amid rejection. Gain confidence in the stepparent role as you take on the armor of God. Persevere through challenges and obstacles toward healthy, thriving relationships. Each devotion begins with Scripture along with an encouraging thought for the day and closes with prayer.
