The Enlightened Stepmother: Revolutionizing the Role – Overcoming Guilt and Prioritizing Marriage While Building Successful Stepfamily Relationships

by Perdita K. Norwood, Teri Wingender

Becoming a stepmother is a life-altering event in any woman's life. The issues are extraordinarily complex and women are overwhelmingly unprepared. Yet concerns usually focus on the effect remarriage has on the children. The Enlightened Stepmother approaches the subject from a totally new perspective -- that of the stepmother. Based on information -- sometimes controversial -- from stepmoms of all ages, occupations and lifestyles, who know from experience what works, what doesn't and why --

Genres: Parenting

464 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Missy Olive · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another one of the books that I purchased for the research for my own book on Step Mommy Discipline.

There are several aspects about this book that I like.

 1. The authors interviewed 200 step-moms for the book.
2. The authors cover the important topics (the importance of your own marriage, raising the children across the lifespan, having your own children, having a child together, custody battles, money battles, and the Ex).
3. The authors shared the questionnaire they used with participants.
4. Some readers may appreciate the  action boxes at each chapter's end. 

I found the book to be too detailed and the writing less than entertaining. Had I not been reading it for research, I probably would have put the book aside. If this had been my first book on the topic, I may have been more impressed. That part is hard to discern and unfortunately, I will never know.

[Danielle VanDaele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this a while ago, and picked it up again a few days ago to review. I was right the first time...not very helpful. There are a few paragraphs that do hit home, but not enough for me to give this book any more than 2 stars. It seems as though a lot of it doesn't apply to a young stepmother in my situation. Maybe it is helpful to older women who have problem children and have kids from a previous marriage.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much stepmothering 101 - good for those who have no clue what the issues may be. It seemed a little old-fashioned in that it assumed that people live apart until marriage and that women don't serve as stepmothers until they get married.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who seriously dates or marries a man with kids needs to read this. The author's cheerful "no, you aren't crazy" tone and upbeat "yes, this is tough, you'll get through it" message is really helpful for anyone frazzled by stepmotherhood, which by the sound of it, is everyone.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

hopefully will help me keep my composure as I assist in raising the 2 children from his previous marriage.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a full-time stepmother, I loved this book! Anyone who is a stepmother, might become one, knows one, has children who have one, should read this book!

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book was very helpful. I didn't agree with everything that the author's wrote, but it helped me make decisions and cope with my situation.