Synopsis
This book and related volumes for co-parents and supporters are unique in the genre of stepfamily self-help books for seven reasons. One reason is they're based on 25 years professional research, and personal and clinical experience.
Most stepfamily researchers agree that a high percentage of the millions of typical American re/marriages involving prior kids ultimately divorce psychologically or legally. This follows about half of recent U.S. first-marriages failing. The "/" notes it may be a stepparent s first union.
This practical guidebook proposes five reasons why most marriages fail, and a series of 12 safeguard projects that courting partners can work at together to help them choose
- the right people to commit to (mate, stepkids, ex mates, and kin); at...
- the right time (after grieving, healing, and learning key basics); for
- The right reasons. There are over a dozen common wrong reasons.
This reference book gives courting co-parents an effective way to prevent probable re/divorce:(1) understanding and accepting five hazards they and dependent kids face, and (2) co-committing to patient work together on the first seven of 12 projects. The sequel - Build a High-nurturance Stepfamily, Xlibris.com - outlines Projects 8-12.
This book is also useful for re/married mates and supporters (like kin, clergy, therapists, and mediators) who want to promote lasting, high-nurturance stepfamily relationships "from the ground up."
Other guidebooks in this re/divorce prevention series are:
1) Who s Really Running Your Life? free your Self from custody, and guard your kids (Project 1)
2) Satisfactions seven relationship skills you need to know (Project 2)
3) The Remarriage Book overcome (19) common stressors together (Project 8), and...
4) Build a Co-parenting Team after Divorce or Remarriage (Projects 9 and 10)