7 Steps to Bonding with Your Stepchild [Paperback]

Suzen J. Ziegahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2001

Practical, realistic, and upbeat advice--from sharing a bathroom to initiating conversations--for people who "inherit" children along with a new spouse. The success or failure of a stepparent to bond with stepchildren can make or break a new marriage. But this book has a refreshing message--it is possible to achieve longlasting, rewarding relationships with your new children.

Most stepparents feel caught in a bind because in order to connect with their stepchild, they have to reach out--but not too much, too little, or too deliberately. And relationships with stepchildren are inherently different from those with biological children who love their parent unconditionally. But these 7 basic steps will give you the essentials, from deciding what kind of stepparent you want to be to realizing that love comes later.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Suzen J. Ziegahn is a clinical psychologist and writer specializing in stepfamily issues. She also has over 12 years of experience in the administration of mental health services, serving as Director and CEO of mental health systems in the Midwest. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, and the stepmother of two children. She lives in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (March 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312253656
• ISBN-13: 978-0312253653
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Stepparenting & Blended Families

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 7 Steps to Bonding With Your Stepchild, April 13, 2002

By 

Debra K Hohl (Mauston, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 7 Steps to Bonding with Your Stepchild (Paperback)

We are a treatment foster home and Suzen was our clinical specialist for almost a year. I have a step child that I was having problems with and Suzen suggested that we read her book and see if it would help. It helped me because I at times seemed like I was in competition with my step-son for his father's attention. It showed me new ways to deal with this and how to come to terms with it. It also helped me with the foster children in our home and really had a large impact on how I dealt with those children. I feel Suzen writes from the heart and some very good points in her book. I would recommend this book highly to any family which is dealing with difficult step-children. It is worth every penny.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate, In-Depth And Packed With Great Tips, August 22, 2004

By 

Lisa Cohn "co-author, 'One Family, Two Family... (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 7 Steps to Bonding with Your Stepchild (Paperback)

I read this book as a biological parent and a stepparent. I really appreciate the author's deep and compassionate understanding of the primitive connection between parents and their biological children in stepfamilies-a connection that can leave stepparents feeling like outsiders. Because the author honors this important bond between divorced parents and their kids, she does a beautiful job of explaining the incredibly complex nature of relationships in stepfamilies. I love the author's warm, personal approach and her ability to create empathy for all members of a stepfamily. She does a great job of helping stepparents view the world from their partners' and stepchildren's point of view. She also offers very helpful tips about how to bond with stepchildren, including sample conversations about difficult topics. The bonding tips include "Conversation Starters That Get Stepchildren Talking" and other creative ideas. This book is a gold mine for stepparents!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars ehhh, December 17, 2010

By 

Erin R. Hopson (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 7 Steps to Bonding with Your Stepchild (Paperback)

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this book didn't present any information that was new to me or wasn't common sense. I don't feel like it helped me with any of the issues I was struggling with as a step parent. However, if you're looking for a very very basic guide to step parenting this would be good.