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The Best Books About Stepfamilies

If you or your ex-spouse has recently remarried, check out these helpful books. They can make life in a stepfamily easier -- for you and your kids.

By Allison Gerard

  • Courtesy of Fireside

    Mom's House, Dad's House for Kids

    By Isokina Ricci, PhD


    Written by the author of Mom's House, Dad's House, which has helped parents deal with divorce for more than 25 years, this version speaks directly to older kids about adjusting to living in two households and understanding the emotions that come along with it. The book encourages active thinking with questions to ask yourself, fill-in-the blanks, and quizzes, and suggests kids keep a journal to record their emotions. The 200-plus-page book may be overwhelming for children, so parents might want to read it with them.

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  • Courtesy of Adams Media Corporation

    The Everything Parent's Guide to Children and Divorce

    By Carl E. Pickhardt, PhD


    From the first stages of divorce to remarriage, this comprehensive book covers need-to-know essentials, such as how to balance your attention between your new partner and your children, communicate between two households, and treat your ex-spouse as an ally. Remarried parents will find the list of dos (do let your kids know that they will not be able to drive away their stepparent with misbehavior) and don'ts (don't allow differences over parenting philosophies to become divisive in your marriage) especially helpful.

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  • Courtesy of W. W. Norton

    My Father Married Your Mother

    Edited by Anne Burt


    There is something for everyone in this collection of essays by 27 writers, who reflect on stepparents, stepchildren, and stepsiblings. Each essay encourages the reader to reexamine the idea of the perfect nuclear family and sheds light on what it means to forge relationships with new family members.

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  • Courtesy of Workman Publishing Company

    The 312 Best Things About Being a Stepmom

    By Cynthia L. Copeland


    This upbeat book -- full of proverbs, quotes from stepmoms, and parenting truths -- will help stepparents feel positive about the challenges they face. The chapters cover tips for combining the flocks, the perks of going from a single gal to married-with-children, and more. Chapter 10 features strategies for making your second marriage a success.

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  • Courtesy of Plume

    The Truth About Children and Divorce

    By Robert E. Emery, PhD


    Based on the author's 25 years of experience and research, this book discusses how parents can deal with their emotions and the emotions of their children. The advice is practical and to the point, addressing common problems like what kids can call their stepparents, creating schedules depending on the type of divorce, and handling holidays and vacations.

    Copyright © 2006 Meredith Corporation.

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