NEWSLETTERS
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WEBSITES
Stepfamily Foundation of New York
An organization that helps stepfamilies find the resources they need to build a strong family including telephone counseling; and referrals to therapist, counselors and coaches. This website is a wonderful resource of information and local resources for both stepfamilies and therapists alike.
Stepfamilies That Work
Great articles, and newsletters with lots of good advice from Sue Rasmussen, another stepfamily coach and stepmother.
Step Together
Visit the chat room of this virtual chapter of Stepfamily Association of America to get support by connecting with other stepparents, find helpful information including book recommendations.
Stepfamily Association of America
Provides information on stepfamily law and policy, educational resources, programs and services. Includes questions and answers on myths and statistics as well as research findings—a good place to start to get resources and information for stepfamilies.
Divorcing Reality:
Other researchers question Wallerstein's conclusions
Stephanie Coontz, a family historian, has found evidence that divorced parents today are better able to cope with anger issues from past marriages and are capable to co-parent with their ex-spouses. Read her and Mavis Hetherington's debate that challenges the conclusions from Judith Wallerstein’s 25 year long term study that highlighted the negative psychological effects of divorce on children.
Parenthood in America
Dr. Beverly Bliss, a clinical psychologist from Madison Wyoming, shows several statistics demonstrating stepfamily difficulties. Find compiled information from Jeannette Lofas (founder of the Stepfamily Foundation) on the steps to becoming a better stepfamily, including information for fathers/stepfathers and mothers/stepmothers and on how to strengthen the couple’s relationship. Includes books and resources for stepparenting.
Gordon Training International: Family Training
Take a look at P.E.T. (Parent Effectiveness Training) by Thomas Gordon and other workshops for becoming more effective parents. Great parenting tips, ideas and stories.
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BOOKS
The Enlightened Stepmother
by Perdita K. Norwood and Teri Wingender
 This book is the result of a five year study that observed, interviewed
and surveyed 200 stepmothers. Covers all phases, relationship types and roles of a stepfamily structure. Talks about how support groups can help and includes essentials needed for a successful stepfamily, such as portraying
a united front, taking care of finances and getting outside support.
Available in Paperback
For Better or For Worse: Divorce Reconsidered
by E. M. Hetherington & J. Kelly
 An exploration on the effect of divorce in America today based on three longitudinal studies on marriage, divorce and remarriage. The first study looked at 144 families over the span of twenty years with families divided into two groups: one of non-divorced middle class white families, and the other half, also middle class white families, who were divorced with a "target" child of age 4. The second study, based on adaptation in stepfamilies with a young adolescent child, examined the families at different intervals and compared with non-divorced families with teenagers of the same age. The third study was based on genetics, shared environment and non-shared environment and observed 720 two-parent families with same-sex adolescent siblings.
Available in Paperback | Hardcover
Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss what Matters Most
by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen, Roger Fisher  Available in
Paperback | Audio CD
Stepfamilies: The Step by Step Model of Brief Therapy
by Mala S. Burt & Roger B. Burt  A look at the problems stepfamilies face, stages they go through, examples of assessment guidelines and other strategies. Includes stories of real families and ways they were helped. This technique most effective for stepfamilies who need help understanding roles and expectations and not for seriously problematic cases such as domestic violence and abuse.
Available in Hardcover
Stepparenting: Everything You Need to Know to Make it Work
by Jeanette Lofas  The founder of Stepfamily Foundation talks about the difficulties stepparents face in regards to raising stepchildren and having unrealistic expectations. She encourages couples to focus on strengthening their relationship and explains the steps to creating a stronger relationship in order to build a strong and loving stepfamily. Includes house rules, how and why children should have chores, the importance of rituals, ex-spouses, money issues and legal rights.
Available in Paperback | Hardcover
Relational Communication: Continuity and Change in Personal Relationships(Wadsworth Series in Speech Communication)
by Julia T. Wood  A reference guide that defines various communication styles, how people use these types of communications, and how they relate to themselves and others in relationships. Shows how certain communication styles create specific relationship problems that create conflicts in relationships. This book is a good tool to help stepfamilies in the support group better understand how to communicate.
Available in Paperback
A Couple’s Guide to Communication
by John Gottman  A study on 250 couples examines how couples communicate and ways to resolve problems. Written for the couple in mind, it includes easy-to-do exercises and simple terminology to effectively communicate what you want in your relationship. Very down-to-earth and practical.
Available in Paperback
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