Many stepfamily sites have online newsletters.

Helpful Board Games

        Order online, or call your local toy store to see if they stock these....

LifeStories - is a win-win (non-competitive) board game which provides "entertaining conversation between family, friends, and people who have just met; 2 to 8 players, ages 6 to 106."

The Ungame - is a similar non-competitive, fun board or pocket-card game to help adults and kids learn safely about each other. Optional playing-card sets for couples, families, kids (5+), and teens. Available through Amazon.com (link above), many toy and bookstores. Great re/wedding gift for under $20. 

Stepfamily Bibliographies

  Two extensive bibliographies for lay and professional people interested in stepfamily media and/or published research have been  available in print and on computer disk from the National Council on Family Relations' "Focus Group" on Remarriage and Stepfamilies. Call NCFR at (612)-781-9331, or write them at 3989 Central Ave. N.E., #550; Minneapolis, MN, 55421 for current info.

Check with the nonprofit National Stepfamily Resource Center (NSRC)  to see if they offer the extensive bibliography compiled by the former Stepfamily Association of America.

This free online Break the Cycle! self-study course is the most comprehensive, practical family resource I've found in 36 years' professional research.

"Building and Maintaining An Effective Co-parents' Support Group" - a 30-page article giving specific suggestions on the first meeting, holding effective planning meetings, four kinds of co-parent participants, and group-process tips to keep your group productive and growing. Online article from the non-profit Break the Cycle! Web site.

"Effective Stepparenting" is a 158-page softcover workshop guide covering developing roles and creating a new family structure, divided loyalties, the "instant love" myth, competition, discipline, and family rules. Questionnaires, checklists, exercises, and a bibliography are included. Available from Family Service America, Inc., 11700 W. Lake Park Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53224; About $20; 1-800-852-1944;

"New Beginnings: Skills for Single Parents and Stepparents", by Drs. Don Dinkmeyer, Gary McKay, and Joyce McKay. An 8-session audio-visual package of materials covering parenting issues, self-esteem, relationships and behavior, personality and emotional development, communication skills, decision making, child discipline, and common family conflicts. From Research Press, P.O. Box 9177, Champaign, IL, 61826; 1-217 352-3273 or 1-800-519-2707, fax 1-217-352-1221; E-mail rp@researchpress.com

Smart Steps for Adults and Children in Stepfamilies - developed by Francesca Adler-Baeder, Ph.D. This 12-hour research-based, educational program curriculum is for remarried or partnering couples and their children, and focuses on building couple and family strength. The program uses informational presentations, hands-on exercises, group discussions, and media.

        The 250+ page Curriculum includes: leader lesson guides for adult and child programs, background readings, hand-out masters, resource list pre/post evaluation questionnaires, two videos (the movie, "Stepmom" and "Smart Steps Video Vignettes"), and CD with power point slides, hand-out files, and evaluation forms). Order from the National Stepfamily Resource Center (NSRC). $150.00

"Starting and Operating Support Groups": A (22p.) Guide for Parents; (1992); published by The Family Resource Coalition of America: 200 S. Michigan Ave., 16th floor; Chicago, IL, 60604: Item # CO13, about $5.00. (312)-341-0900; fax: 312-314-9361.

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