* Is living in a Blended Family or a Stepfamily “more than you bargained for?”

* Does step parenting feel like the most challenging and thankless job of all?

* Is the tension and conflict taking its toll on your relationships

* Are you becoming worried about your children and their well-being?

* Are you constantly arguing with your partner about the kids, discipline and parenting in general?

• Is your ex or your partner's ex causing real problems in your blended family and in your relationship

• Are you at the end of your rope and need some answers NOW

* Are you considering entering into a Blended Family or Stepfamily and want to be prepared?

Stepfamily, Blended Family, Parenting and Step Parenting Resources

At The Step and Blended Family Institute we have a library of resources that are available on loan to our clientele. This includes books and tapes. We also have links to a variety of other resources that are helpful to individuals in stepfamilies and blended families depending on what their specific issues are at the time. If you are preparing to be a new stepparent we can also recommend some wonderful resources. Some books are available to purchase through our office.

Resource List

“Step Parenting – Everything You Need to Know to Make it Work”. Jeannette Lofas, Ph.D., LCSW, Founder and President of the Stepfamily Foundation, Inc.

“Family Rules”. Jeannette Lofas, CSW.

“Living in Step – A Remarriage Manual for Parents and Children”. Jeannette Lofas, CSW and Ruth Roosevelt

“He’s OK, She’s OK – Honoring The Differences Between Men and Women”. Jeannette Lofas, CSW and Joan MacMillan, MSC, MFCC

“Keys to Successful Step-Fathering”. Carl E. Pickhardt, Ph.D.

“Divorce Poison”. Dr. Richard A. Warshak.

“Step-Families, Myths and Realities”. Emily Visher, Ph.D. and John Visher, M.D.

“Yours, Mine, and Ours – How Families Change When Remarried Parents Have A Child Together”. Anne C. Bernstein, Ph.D.

“The Stepmom’s Guide to Simplifying Your Life”. Karon Phillips Goodman.

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Stepparenting”. Ericka Lutz

“The Enlightened Stepmother – Revolutionizing the Role”. Perdita Kirkness Norwood and Teri Wingender.

“I Didn’t Grow Up to be a Wicked Stepmother! A Journal of Self-Discovery”. Marion Summers, M.Ed.

“How to be a Step Parent”. Jeannette Lofas, CSW. (audio cassette)

“About Stepfamilies”. A CBS Magazine Short Documentary with Jeannette Lofas, CSW. (VHS)

“Family Matters – Fight Fair” Parts 1 and 2. Jeannette Lofas, CSW. (VHS)

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Web Links - Related Websites

The Stepfamily Foundation, Inc. Founded by Jeannette Lofas, President of the Foundation, we recommend this site for its articles, books and downloadable e-booklets, for answers to most of your step parenting questions. Also training and certification for professionals.
www.DictionaryForDads.com Kevin Bierne
A non-profit site and organization dedicated to sharing education, resources, practical advice and experiences that assist men in raising healthy, happy children and making informed choices in their own parenting. Real world solutions and strategies for real world parenting situations and demands. Provides tips, articles and resources that you might otherwise have to search the net for. Dads, please check this out!

www.BecomingaStepmom.wordpress.com Jacqueline Fletcher
Along with her award winning best seller – A Career Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Stepmom, Jacqueline Fletcher has done it again, by collaborating and bringing us the Stepfamily Letter Project. Check out this site not only for her book which is the quintessential authority on what it is like to go from being an independent career woman to adding on the enormous job of being a stepparent. A must read that addresses the REAL CHALLENGES, and offers REAL SOLUTIONS for any woman who finds herself in this role. The Stepfamily Letter project is a place where you can share your concerns and most intimate thoughts and about your experience in a stepfamily whether you are a stepmom, stepdad, biological parent, stepchild, or step grandparent for that matter. If you are impacted or have an opinion, you have a voice here. Also, upcoming information about Jacqueline’s courses for new Stepmoms. Definitely take a look.

www.BeInspiredBy.net Grace Lanni
Grace Lanni, mother of 2 and stepmother of 2 more, inspires us with her personal journey in learning how to live on the planet of teenagers. She has developed a practical process and set of steps for truly connecting and building the stronger relationships with our teen age children, that we all strive for. Check out Grace’s book, e-book version and audio version of “Be Inspired by your Teen,” as well as a fabulous website that really uplifts us and gives us the hope and tools we all need to be able to create these relationships that just don’t happen on their own. Thank you for this gift Grace.
The Stepfamily Foundation of Alberta
We recommend this site for its exceptional and comprehensive list of “How to Articles” on a multitude of issues related to Step Parenting.
Blended Families - Free Blended Families Newsletter plus Other Helpful Resources & Information
We recommend this site for its Monthly Newsletters and Tele-classes.
Stepfamily in Formation - Peter Gerlach, MSW
We recommend this site as an excellent source of information and insight particularly for those considering remarriage. Based on 26 years of research, it offers much needed advice on how co-parents can have a flourishing stepfamily.
Stepfamily Associaton of America
We recommend this site for its comprehensive look at the issue of Step Parenting. Everything from answers to your questions, educational resources, stepfamily legal concerns and policy as well as thorough reviews of books on the subject.
Bonus Families - a resource dedicated to the peaceful co-existence of divorced or separated parents and their new families.
We recommend this site for its emphasis on how to build and maintain healthy relationships and nurturing support systems after divorce and separation. It puts a lot of emphasis on bonus children and bonus teens with supports specifically for them and by them, for example the bonus teens is a forum for teens to speak to each other about their struggles in a divorced, separated or step family.
Co Mamas
We recommend this site for its fresh take on how step moms and biological moms can work together for everyone’s best interests. Developed by two co mamas who worked things out and are now sharing their secrets.
Stepfamilies Canada
This site offers information on counselling and coaching services, couples workshops and re-marriage preparation.
Stepcoupling by Susan Wisdom www.stepcoupling.com
Stepcouples: You can have a solid marriage and an enjoyable family life. But, to do that, you have to understand the most important relationship in a stepfamily: the stepcouple. The stepcouple is the foundation and glue in the stepfamily. Visit www.stepcoupling.com for more information
Evelyn Fielding – www.mystepkids.com
It’s not easy to develop a deep, strong relationship with stepkids who spend most of their time at the “other” parent’s house. Here’s a new e-book for stepmoms and stepdads who only see the kids a few days a month. “99 Things To Do With Your Stepkids (When They Don’t Live With You)” is filled with positive, quick and easy suggestions. If you’ve been a stepparent for years, this book gives you fun ideas to renew your relationship. And, if you feel like you’re not getting along with your stepkids, these tips help break the ice and begin taking positive steps.
Check it out at www.mystepkids.com/99thingscb.
The Family and Marriage Counseling Directory
The Family & Marriage Counseling Directory www.family-marriage-counseling.com
Description: Family & Marriage counseling resources, articles written by professional therapists, live phone counseling, recommended books, and more.
The Canadian Symposium for Parental Alienation: PARENTAL ALIENATION: If you are a parent who feels that your children have been influenced against you by their other parent and need some support and information to help you deal with this difficult situation then check out this site: www.CSPAS.ca
THE KIDS CALENDAR: Kids In Divorce (K.I.D.) Calendar: To assist parents and kids in the transition through Divorce and living in two homes. Please click on: Kids In Divorce (K.I.D.) Calendar

Resources for Divorce, Co-Parenting, and Remarriage

www.WomansDivorce.com Tracy Achen
A site dedicated to helping women take control of their divorce. Every aspect of divorce and divorce transition is covered, from the kids issue, your own emotional experience of divorce, the legal and financial ramifications and what is involved in moving beyond, including new relationships. Check out Divorce 101 – A Woman’s Guide.
www.WomenMovingOn.com Dr. Amy Botwinick
Dr. Amy is a woman who has been there and as a result has the experience, knowledge and support systems in place to assist women who are making the transition through divorce and beyond. Amy’s site provides the resources and information to help heal the mind, body and spirit. Visit her site to check out her radio program her book “Congratulations on Your Divorce” and several other resources you won’t find anywhere else.
www.ThriveAfterDivorce.com Caroline Ellis
Caroline Ellis, a divorced, single mother of 3 school aged children shares her secrets about how you can thrive, not just survive your divorce and find a fulfilling life beyond this transition for you and your kids. Check out her site for numerous resources, Carolyn’s Blog, her award winning Podcast – Divorce 101 and of course her book “The Seven Pitfalls of Single Parenting. You will also find her free Report on Single Parenting Secrets, a bi-weekly ezine and the New Divorce Resource Kit.
www.RemarriageMag.com Paula Bisacre
Remarriage Magazine featured on-line. Find great resources for those entering into a second marriage or are already remarried. Check out the Remarriage Blogs of interest to you, as well as the Event Calendar and get some Professional Advice for your specific situation. A must see esource for remarried couples and their families
www.Remarriage.com Barry Goggin
Remarriage.com features information for divorced singles and resources for those getting remarried as well as those living the remarried life. Check out their Articles Section for up to date information. Their goal is to provide you with the resources you need to have a successful remarriage after your divorce.
www.Co-Parenting101.com Deesha Philyaw
This site is dedicated to one main theme – Successful Parenting after Divorce, for the sake of the kids. The site administrators, Mike and Deesha, are successfully co-parenting their children together, beyond their own divorce and are challenging other parents to do the same. Check out the articles, their Free Newsletter, the 101 Co-Parenting Commandments, or Share your Story with them. If you are committed to raising healthy, happy kids beyond your divorce and are willing to work with your ex to achieve this, please take a look at this site. If you think you aren’t willing to do this, then still take a look at this site – it may inspire you to do so.

Other Valuable Sites I Recommend

IDoTakeTwo.com - Guide to Remarriage - Great resource for those planning on getting remarried, making blended families or planning a vow renewal.

Team Wedding - Home of the Top Wedding Sites

www.innerconfidencecoaching.com and www.coachingcircles.ca to find out more about the Claim Your Life as Your Own process, sign up for a monthly newsletter and begin feeling the aliveness, serenity and wholeness that comes from living life on your own terms. Jeannie Campanelli, Ed.D., CPCC provides individual and group coaching to loving, naturally-giving women and men who can lose a sense of themselves in their relationships. She helps them to discover how they can claim their lives as their own.

Parent on Purpose is committed to helping individuals and families find joy and peace in their daily lives. We offer a variety of free eBooks focused on personal growth and children's issues as well as coaching services and personalized family recordings. Log on to www.parentonpurpose.com for more information.