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The Courage to be a Stepmom
by Sue Patton Thoele
Stepmothers are often expected to care for their stepchildren as a parent would, yet their efforts frequently go unappreciated and are sometimes met with hostility. Also, they are often targets of misplaced anger or are reminded that they are not the real mother." Amid such stresses marriages fray and sometimes fall apart. But according to Ms. Thoele with the proper skills women can learn to navigate the pitfalls get the most from relationships and meet their own needs." Thoele’s book addresses stepmothers’ commonly felt emotions — guilt, shame, grief, frustration, and fear — and offers hands-on advice for acknowledging and dealing with them. A practical handbook and comforting friend, this book should be read by every woman who finds herself in the stepmother’s role.
A stepmother constantly sees to others’ needs — those of her spouse, her kids, his kids, their kids. She also has to work so hard to maintain her marriage or deal with the emotional turmoil that can follow divorce and marrying again, that she may neglect her own needs. It’s no wonder, then, that stepmothers often ask: Who’s taking care of me?
This is where Sue Patton Thoele steps in, offering practical advice and emotional support in a new edition of her book, The Courage to Be a Stepmom. Much has been written about the nuts and bolts of stepmothering — dealing with a hostile ex-wife, learning to discipline effectively — but this book is the first to focus on the stepmother’s characteristic emotional and spiritual needs.
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$14.95
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My Father Married Your Mother: Stepparents, Stepchildren, and Everyone in Between
by Anne Burt (Editor)
With the U.S. divorce rate hovering around 50 percent, most people recognize remarriage as a now-familiar occurrence. And remarriage often means stepfathers, -mothers, -brothers, and -sisters, and the formation of a new type of blended family. Jacquelyn Mitchard, Barbara Kingsolver, Roxana Robinson, Susan Cheever, and others share experiences of being stepdaughters, stepmothers, or ex-wives. Andrew Solomon writes about his relationship with his stepmother. Kate Christensen celebrates the stepfather who brought guidance to her life. There are essays from writers in the same family, each with a different take on his or her postnuclear situation: Phyllis Rose discusses her second husband's qualities as a stepfather, while her son, Ted Rose, writes about his tumultuous relationship with his stepbrother from his own father's remarriage. These poignant, heartfelt, sometimes biting tales remind us of the outdated myth of the perfect nuclear family while shedding light on what it means to forge relationships with stepfamily members.
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$24.95
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7 Reasons to be Grateful You're the Mother of a Blended Family
by Kathy Vick
Written by moms, for moms, the Mom2Mom books are vibrant, inspirational, and often humorous reflections on the most difficult job in the world. Each colorful installment reminds moms that they are not alone in the seasonal challenges of motherhood and encourages them to choose an attitude of gratitude. Becoming a step mom is not for sissies. In this candid book, Kathy Vick, a step mom herself, navigates the gravel roads of "blenders" with laughter and grace, in large doses. The question is not why God chose you, Vick reminds moms, but who you can become in the process.
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$8.99
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The 312 Best Things About Being a Stepmom
by Cynthia L. Copeland
Being the backup Santa and Easter bunny—less pressure, just as much fun. A lifetime supply of homemade potholders. And the unexpected Mother's Day card, SWAK. Celebrating the joy of stepmomming, Cynthia L. Copeland brings wisdom, perspective, empathy, and, best of all, humor to a challenging role. 312 cheers for you! Forget Cinderella and the hundreds of other fairy tales about wicked stepmothers. Here is the truth—a warm, bright, positive, yet frankly honest and realistic celebration of the most challenging role any woman will face. Think of it as the joy of stepmomming, and the perfect Mother’s Day gift of encouragement and support. Written and illustrated by Cynthia L. Copeland, a stepmother to three boys and author of the bestselling Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me, THE 312 BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING A STEPMOM is packed with humor, wisdom, empathy, quotes, and testimonials from dozens of stepmothers who have shared their experiences with the author.
So, if being a stepmother seems so often to be a storm cloud, this is the silver lining. For example: People can’t figure out how old you are by the ages of your stepchildren. Or, When they hug you, you know it’s genuine, not out of habit. You didn’t have to agonize over whether to name your stepson after his grandfather, his rich uncle, or your favorite poet. If you ever go ahead and have kids of your own, you’ve had practice. And if you are already a parent: The trip to the warehouse club is finally worth the gas money. Your step-teens will see to it that your younger kids are up on the latest cool music, video games, and cargo pants. Family counsel now has enough people for a house and a senate. And, With so many more participants, there’s a chance that you won’t always get creamed at Scrabble!
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$8.98
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My Father Married Your Mother: Dispatches from the Blended Family
by Anne Burt (Editor)
Eye-opening essays by esteemed writers about the rich and complicated lives of American stepfamilies: with the U.S. divorce rate hovering around 50 percent, most people recognize remarriage as a now-familiar occurrence. And remarriage often means stepfathers, -mothers, -brothers, and -sisters, and the formation of a new type of blended family. Jacquelyn Mitchard, Barbara Kingsolver, Roxana Robinson, Susan Cheever, and others share experiences of being stepdaughters, stepmothers, or ex-wives. Andrew Solomon writes about his relationship with his stepmother. Kate Christensen celebrates the stepfather who brought guidance to her life. There are essays from writers in the same family, each with a different take on his or her postnuclear situation: Phyllis Rose discusses her second husband's qualities as a stepfather, while her son, Ted Rose, writes about his tumultuous relationship with his stepbrother from his own father's remarriage. These poignant, heartfelt, sometimes biting tales remind us of the outdated myth of the perfect nuclear family while shedding light on what it means to forge relationships with stepfamily members.
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$14.95
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