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.
Review
Maxine has a blended family herself and has added many stories from her counseling background to illustrate each chapter. The book is divided into two major sections: "What the Children Have to Say" and "What the Experts Have to Say." Each chapter in the "What the Children Have to Say" section contains 'Joy Builders', 'Thoughts for Today', 'Let's Look at This Family', 'Things We Can Do Now' and 'If I Could Tell My Parents Something It Would Be' . . . . No subject is too hard to cover, serious abuse, hatred, anger and the example spare no details. I found the suggestions to be excellent. The second section when the Experts speak is written by well known names like Patricia Rushford and H. Norman Wright. It would be helpful to any blended family with children from preschool to adulthood. I recommend this title. (Jan Arkills The Lamplighter 2007-05-01) --1
From the Back Cover
Blended families face the daunting task of building new lives together while sorting through a rapid river of struggles. New roles, new rules, new stepparents, stepchildren, or stepsiblings--so much change can threaten to overturn adults and children alike if relationships are not handled with wisdom, delicacy, and patience.
Packed with honest stories from children in blended families and advice from a host of trusted experts--like Tim Clinton, Gary Oliver, Norman Wright, and others--Raising Children in Blended Families plots a course through such topics as childhood grief, anger, overcoming abuse, what kids need most in a parent or stepparent, and how to handle conflict. Full of solid, hope-filled answers to the common questions that arise, this book steers parents through the rocky waters of parenting a blended family.
"This book is excellent! Maxine Marsolini continues to educate her readers to the daily frustrations facing stepfamilies. Raising Children in Blended Families gives a unique 'voice' to the children affected by divorce and fresh new insight to anyone associated with blended families. Parents and teachers alike will gain from the honest emotion and 'joy-building' Scriptures included in Raising Children in Blended Families."
--Dr. Randy L. Carlson
President of Family Life Communications, Inc., and
host of Parent Talk OnCall
Maxine Marsolini is an author, speaker, pastor's wife, and member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Together with her husband, Charlie, they are a family with seven blended children, making her a valued resource for stepfamilies. Maxine's articles have appeared in magazines such as Decision, Lifewise, Bible Advocate, and Whispers from Heaven.