Books for Step-parents

[cobbledtogether]

I've seen a few recommendations on other threads and I thought it may be a good idea to collate them all in once place.

So if you'd like to recommend a book to another step-parent - add it here!

I have two recommendations,

Google Eyes & Step By Wicked Step. Both by Anne Fine.

These are both children's books, but if you've ever read Anne Fine you'll know that she's skilled at writing from the child's point of view and they made me look at the step relationship in a different way.

The best thing about them being children's books is my DSD (then aged about 10) could read them too.

"Goggle eyes" -- not google :) after googling

Any chance of a very brief summary with each recommendation ?

oops

Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin. It's totally from the SM's point of view and although it doesn't have the answers it does validate all those feelings we have - resentment, jealousy, isolation (I could go on!) I have read quite a few books but they mostly have a "think about it from the poor DSC's point of view" This one is for us - about time too!

I don't know about a book for step-parenting - a gun and a magic wand would be more use at times !!!!

I'd also recommend the step parents' parachute. A word of warning though, don't try to read it all in one go, as it can be fairly depressing! Ok and helpful in bite size chunks.

I've just had a look at the excerpt from the Stepmonster book and I want it!

This quote in particular resonated very loud...

"What got lost in these child-centric exhortations and lists about how to be a better stepmother, it seemed, was any acknowledgement that the experiences and emotions of the woman with stepchildren mattered just as much as anyone else?s."

It's like she's been reading the MN forum. [hwink]

BH - I've just ordered Stepmonster on Amazon - hurry up and arrive!

I haven't read any books to recommend but i remember reading the blurb on the back of a book ages ago saying "she finds out why stepmothers turn wicked". After what i am going through i can understand!!!! Maybe Snow White had a mother who turned the wicked queen wicked!!

Would also recommend the Step Parent's Parachute - it tells it how it is... I found the sections on not feeling rejected really invaluable, and the parts on how vital it is for you and your P to stick together.

However, I have struggled to find a book that deals in any significant way with blending families - most of the books assume that one of the step-parents has no children themselves. In my situation, we both have children, and I would like something to help with that.

Have also read "siblings without rivlary", which does help, but not specifically aimed at step families at all.