Create a Loving and Safe Environment for Your Blended Family Blended families face unique challenges, and sadly, good intentions aren’t always enough. With so many complex relationships involved, all the normal rules for family life change, even how you apply something as simple as the five love languages. That’s why Gary Chapman, the bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages® andnational expert on stepfamilies, Ron Deal, join together in this book to teach you how the five love languages can help your blended family. They’ll teach you: About the unique dynamics of stepfamilies How to overcome fear and trust issues in marriage How to develop healthy parenting and step-parenting practices How the love languages should—and should not—be applied You’re going to face many challenges, but with the right strategies and smart work, your family can be stronger and healthier together.

When re-married couples bring their families together, they face unique challenges. Somehow, they must bring unity out of diversity. Maxine Marsolini points to biblical solutions to the conflict commonly found in divorce and remarriage situations. 'Growth and Application' questions make this an excellent resource for small groups or Christian counseling.

Even under the best of circumstances, marriage in a blended family is challenging. From parenting to ex-spouses to past hurts, couples face many obstacles. In Blending Families, eighteen successful stepfamilies will show you how they've learned to overcome their everyday challenges. Whether you ve been married for years or just preparing for the journey, Blending Families is the essential resource to help you breakthrough and have a successful family that will thrive for years to come.About the AuthorJimmy Evans is Founder and CEO of MarriageToday, a ministry that is devoted to helping couples thrive in strong and fulfilling marriages and families. Jimmy and his wife Karen co-host MarriageToday with Jimmy and Karen, a nationally syndicated television program which is broadcast daily into over 110 million homes in America and more than 200 countries worldwide.

Blended Family Advice is step-by-step guide to help blended and stepfamilies navigate the rough areas in their marriage and family. The book focuses on three main areas: marriage, kids, and the outside world. Learn how to communicate with your ex-spouse successfully, create a sense of unity in your newly blended family, how to treat stepparents and stepsiblings, and how to create house rules and expectations in your new blended household. Shirley Cress Dudley uses her skills as a licensed professional counselor, and as a stepmom to help blended and step families learn how to become strong and successful. Blended Family Advice contains the keys to a successful blended family along with several bonus reports: a financial planner, creating successful blended family holidays, house hunting for the blended family, and a guide for grandparents. Blended families and stepfamilies will find this book to be a comprehensive resource and one that every stepfamily and blended family will need in their home. Visit The Blended and Step Family Resource Center http://www.TheBlendedandStepFamilyResourceCenter.com and http://www.BlendedFamilyAdvice.com for more information. Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC [email protected]

Targeting parents in second marriages who want to provide for their current spouse and their children from both marriages, the author provides sample estate plans and covers such topics as estate and gift taxes in a second marriage, choosing executors and trustees, the latest federal and state laws, and much more. 15,000 first printing. Original.

In Blending Families, we brought together eighteen of the most successful stepfamilies we could find in order to create a hands-on, practical, and biblical set of resources on navigating the challenges that blended families face. These eighteen couples have already navigated the waters that most stepfamilies deal with on a daily basis, and have come out the other side happy, healthy, and intact. They learned to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. This eight-week study guide will help your family discover: * The Day One blended family dynamics * How to forgive and trust again * Successful parenting skills and techniques * Healthy boundaries for your relationship * Why marriage must come first * Secrets to blending and bonding for a lifetime Whether you've been married for years or just preparing for the journey, Blending Families is the essential resource to help your family thrive for years to come.

A realistic and forthright resource, this practical guide for parents of blended families helps adults understand their children's feelings and cope with arising difficulties.

According to experts, being involved in a prior marriage decreases the success rate of subsequent marriages. The aim of this book is to reduce the failure rate of remarriages and to promote the success of blended families. Successful Blended Families addresses the common challenges of blended family life and provides practical tools for dealing with them effectively. Attention is given to children in these families, step-parenting, preparation for remarriage as well as the building blocks for a successful blended family. If you are in a blended family or planning to establish such a family, this book is for you. If you are a professional who works with blended families or you simply want to gain more insight and understanding of blended family life, this book is worth reading.

Surprisingly, many couples about to remarry and start step-parenting do not even read a book about it (less than fifty percent do). But education about marriage and parenting does increase marital success. Blended Families: Recipes for Success, is a pivotal book from Barbara J Peters, counselor and relationship coach, that presents easy to follow recipes for a lifetime of blended marriage. Barbara has been helping couples for years with her other books such as The Gift of a Lifetime, Building a Marriage That Lasts and He Said She Said I Said 7 Keys to Relationship Success. This book offers the necessary and critical ingredients of creating a solid blended family. These principles can strengthen the parent relationship. Parents will be providing a positive role model for their children to see and families will become more cohesive by using the recipe of shared family identity. A small workbook section helps the reader put into action the concepts suggested by Barbara. By practicing such principles as flexibility and trust, the two of you can forge connections that can support each individual of the family, even into the next generation. “‘You’re NOT my dad!’ How do I even respond to that? What would my wife want me to say? These problems are so difficult to navigate. I am happy to see this book come along. I can’t wait to start cooking!” —Steve, stepdad “Barbara Peters shares effective strategies that empower blended families to be successful, such as building trust, working together to create the family they desire, and good advice on what not to say about ‘exes’. The recipe format is delightfully creative to read and practical to use.” —Elisabeth Davies, author and mental health counselor “I have performed numerous wedding ceremonies for brides and grooms who haven’t a clue of the blended family issues to come. This book provides guidance for the conversations couples must have prior to the ‘I dos’ with the kids. This is a book you must read before you create a mess in your blended family kitchen.” —Larry James, author of How to Really Love the One You’re With

Written with compassion and insight, this book explores the challenges faced by parents who are navigating the complexities of combining families and creating a sense of unity. Drawing on expert advice and real-life stories, the authors offer practical strategies for fostering understanding and connection within the blended family unit. With a focus on open communication and mutual respect, Harmony in Blended Familiesprovides a roadmap for parents seeking to build strong and loving relationships with their stepchildren and co-parents. The book addresses common issues such as jealousy, conflicting parenting styles, and loyalty binds, offering guidance on how to navigate these obstacles with grace and empathy. Through thoughtful reflection exercises and actionable tips, readers will learn how to create a harmonious and supportive environment where all family members feel heard and valued. At the heart of this book is the belief that with patience, empathy, and a willingness to adapt, blended families can thrive and create lasting connections. From navigating visitation schedules to establishing boundaries, Harmony in Blended Familiesequips parents with the tools they need to overcome challenges and create a strong sense of belonging for everyone involved. Whether you are a stepparent, bio parent, or child in a blended family, this book offers valuable insights and practical strategies for fostering unity and understanding in your unique family dynamic. With its sensitive approach and practical advice, Harmony in Blended Familiesis an essential resource for any parent navigating the complexities of blending families. By embracing empathy, communication, and cooperation, families can create a harmonious and loving environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.