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Full Description
Blending Families responds to the need for a book that explores step-parenting by starting with the marriage as the central relationship in a new blended family unit. Just as you are better able to help your child in an airplane emergency if you put your oxygen mask on first, you are better able to blend two families if you take care of the marriage first.
Starting with a discussion of attachment styles, the authors explore how those styles translate into the new family unit when trying to forge a new marriage while parenting tween and teen children in a family unit that is new to them as well. They provide parenting guidance premised on the fact that parenting occurs within a context, and in this case, a context that is unfamiliar territory for everyone involved. Using true stories throughout, they explore the variety of challenges that may arise, such as sibling rivalry, puberty, dating, emotional and intellectual differences, and preferential treatment, and offer suggestions for overcoming obstacles to fully blending. By focusing the light on the marriage as the most important source of stability, the authors encourage readers to develop a style of parenting that works for everyone and brings a sense of unity and strength to the household.
Contents
Author's Note: Trevor Talks about Her Own Blended Families—Past and Present
Introduction: Who Needs This Book?
Part I: A Spectrum of Opportunities and Challenges
1: The Practical Meaning of Attachment Styles
2: Understanding Parenting—and Step-Parenting—Styles
3: Key Challenges to the Blending Process
4: Step-Parenting Issues with Pre-Teens
Sidebar: An Essay about a Half Sister Being a Whole Sister
5: Step-Parenting Issues with Teens—Risk and Reward
Part II: The Five Things You Must Have to Succeed
6: Trust and Trustworthiness
7: Vulnerability and Emotional Strength
8: The Bridge to Empathy
9: Truth as a Gateway
10: Structure with Feeling
Part III: Stories and Practical Insights
11: Challenges , Options, and Solutions
12: Advice from the Front Line—Blending DOs and DON'Ts
