StepFamily Life Newsletter The StepFamily Life Newsletter

January 2010

In This Issue
8 Ways to Overcome Anger & Resentment
Susan Swanson on Step Upcoming Guests
Note From the Executive Director
Upcoming Events
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.: Tune in weekly to Susan Swanson on Step for your free stepfamily support group. Write in or call with any questions so we can better support you.
TIP FOR JANUARY
Find ways to take care of yourself. Take a long walk, meditate, read a good book. You need time for you to reclaim your own energy because being in a family is expending energy. We all need ways to recapture and regenerate. 
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8 Ways to Overcome Anger and Resentment
 
Anger and resentment are common in any family -- not just stepfamilies -- and part of life, but they are not something you should make a point of holding onto. We may be justified in our anger and resentment, but dwelling on it only hurts us, making us bitter and unhappy.
 
As much as possible, you should let go of any anger and resentment you are experiencing. Here are eight things you can do to do just that:
 
1. Breathe. There is nothing like 10 deep, meditative breathes to calm you down.  Breathe in slowly through your nose to the count of five, hold for two seconds and release slowly through your mouth. Make the breath go deep and slow. While you breathe, say to yourself, "I breathe in relaxation and I let go of all negative thoughts."
Susan Swanson on Step Upcoming Guests
Susan Swanson on Step airs live every Tuesday from 11:00 - 11:50 a.m., and will feature topics related to stepfamily life and guests who are experts in the field of stepfamilies.
 
Upcoming guests include:
 
February 9: Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents Guide to the Middle School Years

February 16: Michelle Howe, author of Still Going it Alone
 
March 2: Robbin Gregson, LCSW, discusses eating disorders
 
March 9: Sue Patton Thoele, author of The Courage to be a Stepmom
 
March 23: Betsy Brown Braun, author of Just Tell me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

If you missed any previous shows (like special guest Jeannette Lofas, president of The Stepfamily Foundation in New York City), you can listen to them in our archive
 
We hope you tune in for tips and advice on how to navigate your own stepfamily. We want this show to help you, so please submit any questions you'd like answered or topics you'd like discussed to [email protected].
Note From the Executive Director
 
When we introduced our monthly newsletter in 2009, we aimed to provide information, articles and support to people in stepfamily life. Though we still aim to do this, we have expanded our weekly radio show to provide a free weekly support group for everyone in stepfamily life. As a result, beginning with this newsletter, we will send out The StepFamily Life Newsletter quarterly.
 
We believe the best way to help stepfamilies is to talk with them, offer them guidance from experts in the field and give them access to support from other stepfamilies. Through our weekly radio show, Susan Swanson on Step, we can do just that.
 
If you haven't already, please tune in every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. PST to get advice, participate in discussions and find ways to help you effectively navigate stepfamily life. We want this support group to be for you, so we welcome any questions you may have. Please send them to [email protected], and we will answer them on an upcoming show.
 
We would like to thank you for helping us make The StepFamily Center such an important part of your stepfamily journey. We look forward to helping you have a successful 2010 and beyond.
 
Sincerely,
 
Susan Swanson
Executive Director
The StepFamily Center