|
Upcoming Events
July 1: The StepFamily Center website is being relaunched! Drop by any time after the 1st and let us know what you think. July 25: Tune in for the radio premiere of Stepfamily Straight Talk with host Tricia Powe and guest co-host Susan Swanson. The show will discuss the positions of all family members in a stepfamily system. Tune in July 25 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. (pst): NewDayTalkRadio.com. |
|
TIP FOR JUNE
Make a "safe" way to argue. That means making an agreement that neither of you will leave forever, that when things cool down you will talk the problem through, and that you will try to see the problem from your partner's point of view. Couples who can argue safely will have a happier and stronger relationship. |
|
Helping Stepfamilies Thrive
If you missed Susan's radio interview last month on ways to help stepfamilies thrive, click here to listen. |
|
|
|
6 Don'ts of Being a StepDad
Stepdads are often much ignored in the literature because so much of the focus is on stepmothers. Since June is the time to honor dads, I want to focus this article on stepdads. Men who marry women with children take on a role that not many could possibly be prepared for. While you most likely come into this with all good intentions to be the man of the household, you might wonder why you feel left out and why your stepchildren and wife are often upset with you or siding against you. This is very hurtful and perplexing for many stepdads.
When I talk with stepdads, I generally find men who want to have some role in the lives of their stepchildren. They want a male role in the household, but, like all of us, those roles are based on either what we imagine the father role in a family should be or what we had growing up. When we take those ideas with us into a marriage where children already exist, stepdads are often left confused and hurt.
If you are a stepfather, here are some things that may help you to know and understand. |
|
|
Love in the Blended Family
Love is so exciting, especially if you feel you have really found your soul mate. When your soul mate comes during a re-marriage with children, there are some things it would help to keep in mind for a strong relationship. For tips on love and commitment in a blended family, read Susan's full article on LifeBites.com, where she was selected as the site's Family Expert. |
|
Share Your Story of StepFamily Survival
Do you consider yourself a stepfamily survivor? If so, we'd love to hear your story! We need adults who have experienced stepfamily life, whether you are a stepparent, a biological parent who remarried, or someone who grew up as a stepchild. We are looking for people who have been part of a stepfamily for at least 10 years. Whether your story is good or bad, it's likely one other people in stepfamilies will benefit from. To share your story, please contact Communications Director Leslie Davis at leslie@stepfamilycenter.com. We hope to hear from you! |
|
StepMom Support at Special Summer Rates
If you are a stepmom who would like to get support and tips from other stepmoms, join The StepFamily Center's StepMom Support Group. The group is being offered at a special summer rate of $40 for each session, with the group running for 5 weeks.
The StepMom Support Group will be held the following Thursdays from 8-9:30 p.m. in Beverly Hills: June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6 and August 20. For more information and to register for the group, contact Susan at (310) 274-2780 or susan@stepfamilycenter.com. |
|
Book Review: The Package Deal
 The Package Deal: My (not-so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom, by Izzy Rose.
"Izzy Rose has written a delightful book -- The Package Deal -- about her journey from independent career woman to taking on an instant family with two teenage boys!" Read the full Amazon review by Susan here. |
|
|
|
|
