Customer Reviews

Keys to Successful Stepfathering (Barron's Parenting Keys)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pickhardt shares his years of experience as a psychologist and offers a very useful resource for step fathers and bio-fathers for understanding the multiple changes that affect step families. Issues of multiple alliances, boundaries, even gender differences about step fathers relating to step sons and step daughters, and more are all included in this book which helps normalize the process of step family development. He is very accurate in his description of the developmental process of step-family development, estimating a minimum of 2 years for step families to come together as a working unit. Highly recommended.

I'm about to marry a wonderful woman who has 3 daughters, the eldest is almost a teenager. After a particularly trying weekend, I went to Amazon and bought 3 books on being a stepfather. The other books were okay. Then I read this book. Carl Pickhardt is very careful and thoughtful when choosing his words. Every word was there for a reason and carried enormous weight. The book was insightful, meaningful and accurate. The advice is valuable, but it is the thoughtful, no-nonsense insight behind that advice that is priceless. It is easy to read, but better than that, it grabbed my attention from beginning to end. I've made a note to reread this book every year. Good job Carl!

This book is right on the mark. It validated a lot of the emotions felt in this situation and explains how to deal with them positively. I would reccomend this book to any stepfather.

This book is well thought out...and that's the challenge.

Step dads want to know what to do now...not sit and read a long drawn out theory about step fathering and step kids.

I struggled through this book, because of the deep theory...like running in sand, struggling to get what I needed out of the book. Phrases like "...They may exploit this perceived unfairness to justify becoming more ruthless..."

What? Lets just say after a divorce, the patterns are interrupted and deal with them. Too many words get in the way.

There is a challenge to readers of this book to memorize statements and comments. That will make you appear fake...even if your intentions are right. Kids know. You job is to Connect! By being yourself.

With that said, Let me recommend you read Chapter 10, Chapter 13 and Chapter 25. Other chapters in the book are too much sand...too much theory.

Overall, if you want theory get this book. If you want something to use now, read chapters 10,13 and 25. Don't memorize it, be yourself and your kids will respond.

I bought this book as a tool as I am blending my family with my new partner. I bought it for him to read, but it has been just as informative to me! It really explains things from the "step" father's point of view, and has helped me to realize the things I can do to help. It has also made me realize that all of the things happening in my little family are pretty normal. I highly recommend this book for a new stepfather, stepmother or even the biological parent that is blending his/her family!

I have had step-children for 7 years now and just bought this book. If only someone had told me about this book 7 years ago, so many lives in my family would have been changed through better relationships coming from understanding the issues. Very well-written book in succinct chapters allowing one to quickly grasp the material and apply the principles on an ongoing basis. I am applying material I have learned here everyday and seeing positive outcomes. Thank you Carl Pickhardt. Well done and God bless.

Buy this if you are a Stepfather (or one to be)! I bought 3 books on the subject, but none came close to Pickhardt's book. He is on point. With loads of useful advice. I felt like he knew my exact family relationship with his examples. I wish I had bought this earlier in my relationship. Thanks to the author.

Having already been down the step parent road before, I know all too well the road is full of potholes. Determined not to make the same mistakes again, I purchased this book. Get it, read it, enjoy your new family and lighten up. Highly recommened!

I didn't actually read this book since I am a mother, but my now husband read this before we got married and I believe it has helped him have a different perspective than he might have other wise when situations arise in our family. He is wonderful and I believe this did help him see what he was in for and also has helped him deal with things in a positive way.

This is a great book for any soon to be stepfather. I highly recommend it to anybody that wants to gain more insight on what possible situations that a stepfather & mother may run into. Life is complex enough, so it never hurts to read up on subjects that can affect your life drastically!!