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Stepmothers and Stepdaughters
Using the inspirational, honest, and poignant accounts of dozens of women, Karen L. Annarino highlights the difficulties and triumphs of the stepmother/stepdaughter relationship. Women thriving in this family model will find reason here to celebrate their relationship, and acknowledge the unexpected friendships that spring from these circumstantial connections.
179 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 18, 2021
Karen Annarino recognizes that the dynamics of families, where at least one spouse was previously married and has children, are not easy. In most cases a mother fears that the new woman in his ex-husband's life will take her place away in her child's heart. Sometimes the children dream on their parents getting together again and this new person is not welcomed. The children, themselves, hurt by the divorce, try to manipulate the parents and, even worse, start changing their behaviors in dangerous ways.
In Karen Annarino own words “…it become clear the new relationship depends on how the stepmother treats the stepdaughter at this crucial time. If behavioral boundaries can be established and the lines of communication are open, positive relationships can eventually grow. The challenge of the stepmother is to find a way to settle into the new relationship without telling the daughter what to do and without trying to control her. Once the stepmother feels secure in a new role, she can make it clear that she is not there to break-up or change the father-daughter relationship, but to love her husband without getting in the way of the daughter loving her father.’
The book offers advice and relates real life cases. It gives advice on how to start an open communication between stepmother and stepchild, how to respect each other boundaries and all the benefits that this new relationship brings, not only for the stepmother and stepchild but also for the child’s mother. It is not easy, at all, but if people manage to overcome their differences and hurts, in sake of loving each other, it can be a blessing. In the end, one does marry only a man or a woman, but also their children. The book made me think and taught me a lot, and because of that, I consider it a good book.
In Karen Annarino own words “…it become clear the new relationship depends on how the stepmother treats the stepdaughter at this crucial time. If behavioral boundaries can be established and the lines of communication are open, positive relationships can eventually grow. The challenge of the stepmother is to find a way to settle into the new relationship without telling the daughter what to do and without trying to control her. Once the stepmother feels secure in a new role, she can make it clear that she is not there to break-up or change the father-daughter relationship, but to love her husband without getting in the way of the daughter loving her father.’
The book offers advice and relates real life cases. It gives advice on how to start an open communication between stepmother and stepchild, how to respect each other boundaries and all the benefits that this new relationship brings, not only for the stepmother and stepchild but also for the child’s mother. It is not easy, at all, but if people manage to overcome their differences and hurts, in sake of loving each other, it can be a blessing. In the end, one does marry only a man or a woman, but also their children. The book made me think and taught me a lot, and because of that, I consider it a good book.
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April 25, 2008Uplifting
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews