Happy 2010 to all! I don’t always do New Year’s resolutions but a firm one I have this year is to publish Stepparenting the Grieving Child in book form. Check out the preview audio to this book here at my website. This material is still the only dedicated resource for stepparents living with children whose [...]
I am so thrilled today to share with you that my audio preview is live and ready for your prime time listenership! This is the first dedicated resource I know of for stepparents coming into a family where a parent has died. In today’s post I also inform you about a few other stepparenting and family resources.
For the [...]
I do encourage comments and friendly debate on this blog, but I have to admit I was surprised to receive a comment this summer from a reader nicknamed Daisy: ”I came here for comfort, and instead find an outrageous display of selfishness.”
Daisy, who is herself grieving the loss of her adult son, felt that the [...]
Why is stepparenting after a death different than stepparenting after divorce? After all, stepfamily members in both divorce and death situations experience various kinds of losses. Am I saying that the loss of a parent is worse than the loss of a child’s former home, or the loss of living full time with Daddy?
No. Not [...]
Continue reading about How are Grieving Stepfamilies Different?
Your turn: If you have any comments or advice for this reader, please comment below or send me an e-mail at info@dianefromme.com.
I’ve recently been in e-mail dialogue with a concerned stepmother. She’s stepparenting three elementary- and middle-school-aged children whose mother died several years ago.
My heart went out to her as I read about her situation. [...]
Continue reading about A Reader Writes: If Everyone’s Fine, Why do I Feel Stressed?
This is the third in a Wednesday post series about the role of the parent in stepfamilies. Stepfamilies might feel more cohesive if the parent is able to:
Be the central hub of the stepfamily.
Be the main disciplinarian in the stepfamily.
Be physically available (present).
Be emotionally available (interested).
Today we’re looking at how grief and loss can block [...]
Your turn: If your spouse passed away, would you be the primary
parent and guardian for your stepchildren? If not, would you remain a
part of their lives? What feelings come up for you in either situation?
While following other stepparenting blogs, especially those on my
blogroll (scroll down the middle column), I pick up thought-provoking
news and ideas. In [...]
Wondering how to relate to your second set of in-laws? If all else
fails, keep the spotlight on their relationship with your stepchildren
(their grandchildren). That is the relationship that most needs to
flourish.
When I started obtaining endorsements for my book, Stepparenting
the Grieving Child, I picked up a lot of advice about what to include in
the book. One [...]
I’ve gotten some thought-provoking inquiries on my Stepparenting the
Grieving Child website. Today I’m sharing a question about whether
grief counseling is necessary for stepfamily members who lost a
spouse or a parent.
Here is the actual question:
“Is it necessary for grief counseling for the biological parent and the
children that [have lost] to help them not take out their [...]
Continue reading about A Reader Writes: “Is Grief Counseling Necessary?”