The Stepfamily Survival Guide [Paperback]

Natalie Nichols Gillespie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

Statistics tell us that one in three Americans is a member of a stepfamily. Though rarely acknowledged in churches even today, millions of Christians struggle with the obstacles common in divorce and remarriage. A stepmother herself, Natalie Gillespie offers hope and healing to stepfamilies who are striving to achieve harmony in their households. This handbook addresses the painful issues many stepfamilies must work through, including part-time parenting, discipline, issues with former spouses, and intimidating legal battles. The Stepfamily Survival Guide contains practical solutions to common problems and resources beneficial to stepfamilies. The author also shares from her own experience and gives advice and encouragement on how stepfamilies can both thrive and glorify God.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Sometimes hearing about another person's journey can re-energize us in the midst of our own. There is no road map for navigating a blended family, but Natalie's insights are helpful, interesting, and encouraging. Here's to the journey."-Amy Grant, singer/songwriter One in three Americans is a member of a stepfamily. If that includes you, you know the struggles that come with combining previously separate households under one roof-helping children connect with stepparents and new siblings, keeping your marriage intact, and braving the court system. What's more, stepfamily resources are few and far between. Until now. This innovative handbook will show you how to alleviate areas of stepfamily stress, apply a united front in discipline styles, approach coparenting with grace, appreciate the gift of your stepfamily, and much more. A mom and stepmom (of six!), Natalie Nichols Gillespie gives you and your stepfamily encouragement and practical advice to guide you through the journey. "Natalie walks us through behind-the-scenes events and moves us to a realistic notion while inspiring us to live more creatively within a Christian stepfamily."-Dr. Margorie Engel, president and CEO, Stepfamily Association of America "Natalie weaves together personal experience, humor, and practical tools for surviving the stepfamily journey. And she does so with God at the center. You've picked up a gem."-Ron L. Deal, director, Successful Stepfamilies

About the Author

Natalie Nichols Gillespie is an award-winning journalist, author, and editor whose articles have appeared in over twenty publications. Today Gillespie reviews the Christian music industry for Christian Retailing magazine. She resides in Clearwater, Florida, with her husband and six children and stepchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800759214
• ISBN-13: 978-0800759216
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #855,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thankyou, November 18, 2004

By 

Pamela A. Files "Thankful" (Gray, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stepfamily Survival Guide (Paperback)

Dear Natalie,

I wanted to share a quick note of thanks with you. I am marrying a man with two daughters (ages 7 & 9) in 6 weeks. We have been in pre-marital counseling with our pastor and I have been saturating myself in books, online info and whatever else I can get my hands on, about being part of a stepfamily. I picked up your book about two weeks ago and have been reading some each day. I feel such a huge amount of relief at the simple fact that I am not the only one experiencing this. Before looking into being a stepmom I felt such tension, pressure, at times jealousy towards his ex-wife and sometimes the girls. I felt so much but had no idea if I was justified or not & then what to do with it. Your book has given me such insight on the basics and with that I'm moving forward with much more confidance. My fiance is reading the book now and I hope he takes as much from it as I have.

We both know it is a rough road ahead of us but we want to be as spiritually & emotionally prepared as possible. Thankyou for sharing your journey, it is beneficial to a lot of people.

Pam

Gray, Maine

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Needed Resource, September 14, 2004

By 

Anna Anderson "Anna Anderson" (Morrison, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stepfamily Survival Guide (Paperback)

I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. I don't know how anyone with any type of stepfamily situation has gotten through without this survival guide. The author shares her own experiences--raising six kids as a blended family--with honesty and lots of humor. It's a must read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Guide, March 3, 2005

By 

KW "Avid reader" (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stepfamily Survival Guide (Paperback)

While one could blame sky-high divorce rates on a multiplicity of factors, one reason is approaching a life-changing decision on the basis of impulsive, romantic feelings. In her eminently practical book, Natalie Nichols Gillespie spells out dozens of pitfalls awaiting second marriages, especially when children are involved. Then she goes further, listing numerous suggestions and corrective measures. The Stepfamily Survival Guide is packed full of common sense; I wish it would have been available before I married into a ready-made family. Likewise, this book can wave cautionary flags for people embarking on remarriage after the death of a spouse. Still, it will be most useful for parents with children who are preparing to make the courageous leap into "yours, mine and ours." And, to those who have left the cliff and are struggling to keep from crashing.