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Review of Blending Families

Title:

Blending Families

Author:

Elaine Fantle Shimberg

Publisher:

The Berkley Publishing Group

ISBN:

0425166775

Pages:

209

Price:

$12.00

Rating:

7

Synopsis:

This book has many helpful hints and ideas for step parents who are just starting out and for those that have been at it for awhile. It covers everything from discipline to grandparents to communication.

Table of contents:

1 For Whom The Wedding Bells Toll
2 Telling the Players
3 Communication
4 Dealing with a Former Spouse
5 Home Is Where the Kids Are
6 Discipline
7 School Issues
8 Customs and Rituals
9 Follow the Money
10 Dividing the Children
11 Myths and Misses
12 Adults Only
13 Reducing Stress
14 Twelve Ways to Trip with Steps
15 Grandparents-the Great Equalizer
16 Twelve Secrets for Successful Stepparenting
Conclusion

Review:

This book has very useful information. If you are a new step parent I would definately recommend reading this book. It covers many of the important issues that someone new to step parenting might not even think of.
The chapter on communication is especially important. As a matter of fact, it can be applied to all families, not just step families. This chapter explains the importace of such things as "family meetings". The concept of the family meeting helps everybody express their thoughts and ideas in a setting where open conversation is encouraged.
Also, discussed in this book is titles for new family members. This is always a touchy subject but the book does offer a few solutions to the problem.
There is also great emphasis put on the fact that the husband and wife should focus on their relationship in order to establish a strong foundation. They should make sure that they have some one on one time as well. Also, they must present a united front with rules and disipline.
Overall the book "Blending Families" is a good reference book to have. While it won't fix every problem that could be encountered, it does have some very good ideas to help step parents with some of the bigger issues.

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This Book Is Helpful: Here Are Two Others

This is a helpful book, full of useful information. Two other great books for blending a family are "The Smart Stepfamily" by Ron Deal, and "Happily Remarried" by David and Lisa Frisbie. I learned a lot about parenting from chapter 8 in "Happily Remarried."

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