American Coalition for
Fathers and Children a dedicated site supporting male co-parents.
Bonus
Families - a warm, upbeat, supportive site by bonus-Mom Jann
Blackstone-Ford. The site reframes stepfamily relationships and
titles as bonuses (e.g. "my bonus daughter" vs. "my
stepdaughter" to offset the unpleasant associations with
"step") Sections for "ask the Experts," bonus parents,
teens, kids, grandparents, "ex mate etiquette," and readings.
Email editorial@bonusfamilies.com.
Break
the Cycle!
A nonprofit educational divorce-prevention site for lay and professional people
interested in healing psychological wounds,
improving communication effectiveness, and building high-nurturance marriages and families.
This site offers several hundred
research-based articles describing
12
co-parent projects to over-come
of
epidemic U.S. re/divorce. See this for
a link-index of all the free worksheets, quizzes, and checklists in this
site. Go
here for free discussion
groups related to this unique site.
Site creator,
researcher, educator, and therapist
Peter Gerlach,
MSW, has lived in two stepfamilies, and researched them full time since
1979. He has counseled ~1,000 typical (Midwestern) co-parents since 1981, and is
a member of the
NSRC Experts Council. Peter has published six unique, practical guidebooks for
co-parents and supporters, and provides phone counseling at 1-503-293-8385
(Portland, OR, USA).
Childless Stepmoms - this
appears to be a valuable, user-friendly, nonprofit site filling where
childless stepmoms can meet, affirm, and support each other. The founder is
Christina Chopin, a 25-year veteran childless stepmom.
Divorce/step
- a helpful site from therapist Michelle Diamond, who specializes in
providing "consultation and direct service in the areas of divorce and
stepfamilies." Site includes a newsletter, kids place, parent ed., resources,
and "Ask Michelle."
GettingRemarried.com is a
robust site with many helpful features for re/marriers. Check it out!
www.familymedallion.com
A
warm source of inspiration to help include kids in your re/wedding
celebration.
OurFamilyWizard.com - a
site for parents in divorced and stepfamilies to help coordinate financial
and visitation plans, status and information. Features: the Calendar, the
Information Bank, the Expense Log, The Journal, the Message Board,
Resources, and E-coupons. 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year memberships available
from $55 to $180.
National Stepfamily Resource Center
(NSRC) is sponsored by knowledgeable professionals and volunteers
at Auburn University in Alabama. The NSRC continues the pioneering
work begun by the Stepfamily Association of America, which disbanded in
2006.
Step
Carefully - This site and
organization were founded by a dedicated step-couple, Bobby and Jo Collins, who formed a
stepfamily in 1994. They offer a quarterly newsletter "for and by
step(people)", and help in developing local stepfamily support groups, based
on their experience facilitating one in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The
Stepfamily Foundation - Directed by stepfamily pioneer and author Jeanette Lofas,
CSW., the for-profit Foundation provides stepfamily-support materials by mail,
professional training, and
professional counseling by phone.
The
Stepfamily Network (website) - "A non-profit service to step parents,
parents, family professionals, and stepchildren. (We are) dedicated to helping stepfamily
members achieve harmony and mutual respect in their family lives." Site pages include
support, a bookstore, questions (and answers),
letters, articles,
and a Kids Korner. Dedicated Webmaster is Tom Wohlmut.
Seattle Stepfamilies - an
uncluttered, helpful regional site by veteran stepmom and stepfamily
therapist/educator Barbara
Perlmutter, MSW.
Stepfamily
Living - Web pages offering stepfamily information and a range of
orderable printed resources, by veteran stepfamily clinician, lecturer, and author
Elizabeth Einstein.
The StepStop is Australia's
first stop to stepfamily information, education, resources and support. TSS is
a multi-feature interactive site co-created by Sonja Ridden, featuring articles,
step-stories, questions and answers, chat posts, and a free monthly
newsletter. Many helpful links to other sites.
StepfamilyZone - Helping stepfamilies in South Australia.
An international
site created by John Faulkner and his wife, featuring a positive attitude, resource links, educational
information, articles, a newsletter, and other help for step people "down under" (and us
"up overs"). Worth visiting!
Stepfamilies
- "the UK's #1 Website" - a peppy, colorful site co-founded by Maddy and Brian Curtis. The site
features sections for mothers, fathers, and chat/chat. Other features are
planned. (8/00)
StepfamilyLiving.com - an
informative, upbeat Web presence from veteran stepfamily educator and
therapist Elizabeth Einstein, MA, MFT.
Stepfamily
newsletter from veteran stepmom Karon Goodman. She was the
enthusiastic guide for a valuable stepfamily site sponsored by About.com.
Stepping
Stones Counseling Center, Inc. - "The professionals who understand
stepfamilies": Robert Klopfer, L.C.S.W., B.C.D.; and Susan Brettschneider, M.S."
115 Pine St., Ridgewood, NJ, USA; 07450; Voice: 1-(201)-444-3686. The website currently
features a newsletter, access to
professional counseling, and info on free
local workshops.
Stepdads.com is one of the few Website for stepfathers, though there are many good
sites for fathers. Tad Benson is
the man to talk to.
Stepfathers - a
friendly, interesting, site for the most common stepparents: stepdads!
Hosted by Aussie stepfather John Jacobson. Calling all guys...
Second
Wives Cafe A warm, humanistic site dedicated since 1997 to
providing support, friendship, information, and a haven for "woman in
blended-family situations." Membership required for access. Features include
a monthly newsletter, chat and message boards, a place for positive feedback
about marriage (!), stepfamily articles and links, a book-ordering link... -
much to see!
StepTogether.org.
A
flourishing chat room devoted to stepfamily issues.
Successful
Stepfamilies - A rich source of Christian-oriented education for
stepfamily co-parents, created and maintained by Rev.
Ron
L. Deal, M.MFT, and sponsored by the Southwest Church of Christ in
Jonesboro, AR. The site is unique in offering an experience-based course
for "Building A Successful Stepfamily." Visit the site for
information about the course, and related home-study audio cassettes.
Voice: 1-870-932-9254.
Stepfamily
Foundation of Alberta (Canada) - new in early 2000, and dedicated
to the cause. A not-for-profit corporation in Calgary, Alberta, Canada that provides a range of specialized services for stepfamilies; training for professionals who work with stepfamilies; and conducts research into stepfamilies.
e-Contact
info@stepfamily.ca
Co-family Expressions, Inc. An enthusiastic
Website and organization proposing kinder titles for members of stepfamilies - and
offering a line of special greeting cards for co-family members. The energy behind
this creative effort comes from co-moms Kathy McGrath and Jeannie McDonald - and
their supportive co-families.
Divorcesource.com
- a comprehensive state-by-state divorce informational network.
The Positive Way -
A wide
variety of free resources for people interested in creating healthy,
positive, loving relationships. Includes valuable information for singles,
marrieds, and stepfamilies. "Learn how to create a great
relationship one word at a time."
If you can recommend other helpful
resources, or find that any of this information is wrong, please let me
know.
* Listing here does not imply endorsement
of the products, services, or ideas at these sites.