Step Parenting 101

Drawn from Dr. Kevin Leman's book Living in a Step-Family without Getting Stepped On, Step-Parenting 101 is an informative and practical guide to living in a blended family.

In the divorce courts these days, the rich and famous are not the only ones trying to protect their assets. More than half our population today is a divorce statistic. Many of these people are spending their lives after divorce battling in courtrooms over money, custody, and assets. While the lawyers are loving it, the rest of the world is not. What if stepparents could actually enjoy step-parenting by following a few simple steps? What if other stepparents were happy and you weren't just because you did not know what to do or how to do it? What if you had control of your life rather than your life's situations controlling you? The difference is hoping things will get better or actually living your dreams. It is time to start living your dreams.Like any other challenge, step-parenting can be broken down into steps. "W*A*R*M*-U*P*S" is an acronym for how stepfamilies should ease into their situation. * Step One: What do you want in a relationship? Relationship goals are the dreams your heart makes. Life is what you make it, and the goals you choose, make your dreams come true. Know your outcome. Figure out exactly what you want out of this relationship. Find out if this relationship is right for you.* Step Two: Ask your partner questions that reveal his/her values, beliefs, and morals. Know what you have to work with; figure out if your partner is compatible with you, and if you and your spouse have what it takes to make a step-relationship work. * Step Three: Research your facts; understand the many common challenges that stepfamilies face everyday that cause chaos and crisis.* Step Four: Make your choice; decide, weigh the pros and cons. Decisions happen in a split second and can drastically change your life. Find out how to make a definite decision that is right for you.* Step Five: Understand how to be an effective stepparent. Learn the Ten Secrets of Successful Step-parenting. * Step Six: Practice makes perfect. Practice the Ten Secrets of Successful Step-parenting. Put into practice what you have learned. * Step Seven-Ten:Survival tactics and suggestions. This is how and where to begin and other helpful hints to make your step-life a success. Put these steps into practice and you will happily survive step-parenting, guaranteed. "W*A*R*M*-U*P*S" is meant to help you not only to survive step-parenting but also to learn to enjoy it. This book purposely includes exercises to help you understand, plan, and prepare for your step-relationship. It does require you, not your spouse, or your mother, or your stepchild, to act. This book is meant to make you think, decide, and take action. It's time to take control of your life rather than complaining about your situation controlling you. If you are serious about surviving, and enjoying your life, read this book and do the exercises. It is your life. It is your choice.

A successful co-parenting relationship is as vital to your child's well-being and health as nutritious food or proper exercise. Research, anecdotal evidence, and plain common sense all point to the fact that children are happier, healthier, and better adjusted when both of their parents play an active role in their lives. Studies also show that the trauma children experience in the wake of a divorce or separation can be lessened when they see their parents getting along. Kids whose parents successfully co-parent feel more secure than those who have limited or no connection to one of their parents post divorce. Co-Parenting 101 is based on the premise that co-parenting is a must, not an option. The involvement of both parents—not just the primary guardian—is the cornerstone of successful co-parenting. This is the first book written by a formerly married couple for whom co parenting is central to their day to day lives, and it offers a comprehensive, personal, and upfront look at how to effectively raise kids with an ex-spouse. Authors Deesha Philyaw and Michael D. Thomas, the creators of the popular co-parenting website, co-parenting101.org, share their own experiences raising their children together, as well as provide professional advice from co-parenting experts. Through practical tips combined with expert parental strategies, this book a great resource for divorced parents with children. For parents, less time stressed out about legal wrangling means more time to be fully present and engaged with the children. By learning to put their animosity aside, parents can focus on putting their kids first.

While resources abound for stepmothers, stepfathers are often left to travel a difficult road without clear directions. Ron Deal offers advice for men navigating the stepfamily minefield, including how to connect with stepchildren, being a godly role model, how to discipline, dealing with the biological dad, and keeping the bond strong with one's new spouse. He gives perspective on what the kids are going through and why things don't work the same as in a biological family. The Smart Stepdad provides essential guidelines to help stepfathers not only survive but succeed as both dad and husband.

An honest and groundbreaking guide to understanding the complicated emotions that develop between stepmothers and children. When faced with often overwhelming challenges, what woman with stepchildren is unfamiliar with that “stepmonster” feeling? Half of all women in the United States will live with or marry a man with children. To guide women new to this role—and empower those who are struggling with it—Wednesday Martin draws upon her own experience as a stepmother. She's frank about the harrowing process of becoming a stepmother, she considers the myths and realities of being married to a man with children, and she counteracts the cultural notion that stepmothers are solely responsible for the problems that often develop. Along the way, she interviews other stepmothers and stepchildren and offers up fascinating insights from literature, anthropology, psychology, and evolutionary biology that explain the little-understood realities of this unique parent-child relationship and—in an unexpected twist—shows why the myth of the Wicked Stepmother is the single best tool for understanding who real stepmothers are and how they feel.

Basic Parenting 101 The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With is a realistic view of the importance of parenting. Dr. Phil focuses on showing parents how to solve problems with understanding, humor and love. Dr. Phil clearly explains how parents, step parents, teachers and counselors can raise honest, responsible, and caring children. Dr. Phil tells warm stories of how loving adults can help their children make clear life choices and take individual responsibility. A down to earth approach to being a wonderful parent. Dr. Phil makes psychology usable.

The stepmother's role often is ambiguous and underappreciated, and frequently it carries unrealistic expectations. The book answers women's concerns and questions, including: How can I be a caretaker and a key emotional connector in the family if the children don't accept my influence? How shoud I cope with children who are confused about their family and torn between loyalty to their biological mother and me? When should I step back in conflicts and when should I insist that my husband stand up for me? In addition it addresses the spiritual and emotional climate of the home, providing perspective and guidelines to help stepmothers and their families thrive.

Parenting 101 is an alphabetically indexed collection of topics on the subject of raising children. The author covers a range of subjects of interest to parents of children of all ages. In a conversational tone infused with illustrative personal anecdotes, she discusses problem areas, metes out some helpful advice, and shares some of her personal thoughts on various parenting practices and trends. Some of the subjects she covers are how to put an end to whining, teaching kids about money and finances, best discipline practices, and even advice on transitioning into parenting adult children. Although there are some words of warning, primarily the book is positive and upbeat as it steers the reader through and around common pitfalls in childrearing and gives encouragement along the way. The reader will not only enjoy, but will also relate to the humorous and sometimes slightly self-effacing stories the author shares. Much of the material will seem like common sense that bears repeating, and some of it may be some new food for thought for the parent who is searching for answers. The book is designed to help parents maneuver through the parenting process without losing their minds, but the primary goal is to help them raise happy, well-adjusted children to become successful, responsible, and mature adults. Happy reading! About the Expert Melanie Miller is a high school English teacher and the mother of 3 adult children. She has long said that she has had enough experiences with children and enough stories to fill a book, so that is exactly what she has done! She has learned a lot about kids over the years and has some great stories and helpful advice to share. Her greatest achievement, Melanie claims, is that she has managed to raise 3 human beings to successful and self-supporting adulthood without losing her mind in the process or causing any permanent damage to her kids. If you would like to hear how she did that, then this book is for you. Melanie’s other interests are reading, free lance writing, trying out new restaurants, and lounging around with her three dogs and cat with which she has filled her nest so it doesn’t feel quite so empty. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.