The Unique Challenges of Stepfamilies - Part 3
January 14, 2004 |
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Transcript
With the exception of some famous fairy tales, thirty years ago the phrase “stepmother” was rarely spoken. But nowadays "stepmother," "stepfamily," and "blended family" are familiar terms used to describe specific families found in many of our classrooms and neighborhoods. Now, no one really aims to have a stepfamily. And although these descriptions may be creative, the new roles can be confusing. According to author Sharon Stober, the words stepdad, stepchild or stepfamily paint an unpleasant picture. She points out that language is emotional, and the word “step” is troubling. Stober says “stepmom” didn’t feel right to her either until she began working with professionals. These folks deal with stepfamilies and know there’s a need for support, encouragement and time to positively adjust to the new challenges. Help is out there from families that have been through this before.
*Families Northwest recommends "The Smart Stepfamily" by Ron Deal as a great resource for stepfamily couples. |
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