The Smart Stepdad: Steps To Help You Succeed

by Ron L. Deal

An Amazon bestselling book from speaker and therapist Ron Deal, one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country.  
Part of Ron's Smart Stepfamily Series of books (over 250,000 copies sold) including The Smart Stepfamily, The Smart Stepmom, Dating and the Single Parent, The Smart Stepfamily Marriage, Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily, and The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning . 
While resources abound for stepmothers, stepfathers are often left to travel a difficult road without clear directions. Ron Deal offers advice for men navigating the stepfamily minefield, including how to connect with stepchildren, being a godly role model, how to discipline, dealing with the biological dad, and keeping the bond strong with one's new spouse. He gives perspective on what the kids are going through and why things don't work the same as in a biological family. The Smart Stepdad provides essential guidelines to help stepfathers not only survive but succeed as both dad and husband.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family, Self Help

247 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[JF]

Guy speaks with a lot of authority - too much. Finished reading this book thinking that I (the stepdad) shoukd be almost completely hands off and watch my partner raise the kids herself. Maybe in a decade or two I might have some relationship with the kids.

Not good enough

There is some good advice here. Some not great advice too.

Nice to have a book about the topic - but think it could have been much better.

Was a page turner! Kept thinking I would find something good! Author kept telling me to keep reading... but no payoff.

I'll keep searching for a good stepdad book. I won't be recommending this one

[Georgi Mirchev]

One of the few books on a topic that is so sensitive and also so much left behind by so many people. The book is amazing! Not only practical but really touching and straight to the point. It shares both the frustration and happiness of being a stepfather. It also give such a great guidance on how to treat certain child behavior and not take it too serious. It was a great motivation for me to read it and it really helped me understand why the stepdad - stepson relation can be tough at times and fulfilling at others! Really recommend it to all stepdads out there.

[Ken Randall]

Mostly good advice, a bit too much faith based

A very good overview and introduction to being a stepdad. The book goes into just about every dimension that I could think of in taking on the heroes journey.

My only negative is that, to me, the faith-based approach that is sprinkled throughout the book was 100% Christian-based and again, to me, it distracted from the social science credibility. Just the facts man!

[Stephen Wood]

This book is extremely interesting, I did find the latter half more interesting then the first

I’m rating this 4 stars (3.5 if I could) as I feel their is a lot of religious scripture which although im religious and don’t mind it could alienate some people also the book is very jumpy and moves from one point to another

Good guide for a step dad non the less

[Matt Crawford]

Good material but some is repetitive. He seems to think of the stepdad as a role that I can only describe as a pushover. He wants the relationship between dad and stepdad to not only be amicable but one of submission. There are some good strands of advice but not one I’d necessarily recommend

[Keegan]

Overly religious which felt like it got I. The way of some of the advice.

Had a lot of good stuff in it but a lot of stuff I didn't need or missing questions I still have

[Simon]

Too conservative evangelical to be definitive, but some useful tips as a starting point.

[Steph]

This is an excellent book for men who find themselves in the new position of being a father figure to children who aren't biologically theirs. The author goes into great detail explaining what these men should and shouldn't do, and includes quite a few true stories to support his evidence. Even though I'm a woman and certainly not a stepfather, I think that the author's suggestions could be applied to several different situations, not just for a new stepdad.

[Wayne Miller]

as you attempt to learn about anything important in your current season of life it is wise to prepare as much as possible to succeed. this book gives some Christian and wise advice for those men taking that all important step of attempting to raise another man's child. so far a good book that makes you examine your own personality and characteristics.