Happy Stepcouple
How Couples with Stepchildren Can Strengthen Their Relationships

By (author) Rachelle Katz

ISBN13: 9798881806286

Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Published: 18/09/2025

Availability: Not yet available

Description
Navigate the challenges of a blended family with children to fortify your marriage for lasting happiness and understanding. The Happy Stepcouple is a comprehensive and practical book designed to help couples with children from prior relationships thrive despite the complexities of stepfamily life. Utilizing the most current research in attachment theory, psychology, communication, and marriage and family therapy, Rachelle Katz offers a grounded approach to overcoming common stepfamily problems. She shows stepcouples how to establish realistic stepfamily expectations as well as identify and modify harmful communication patterns—essential elements needed to strengthen the family bond. Drawing on the insights and strategies developed from Katz’s 30-plus years as a marriage and family therapist specializing in treating stepfamilies, The Happy Stepcouple also includes personal accounts from stepcouples who describe the problems they have faced and how they handled them. It gives couples everything they need to navigate stepfamily dynamics with confidence and kindness, allowing families to build a happy, fulfilling life together.
Introduction STEP 1: REVISE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS 1 Stepfamily Fallacies 2 Expectations of Your Relationship 3 Finances 4 Redefine the Role of Stepparent STEP 2: IMPROVE COMMUNICATION 5 The Relevance of Emotional Attachment Styles for Stepcouples 6 Understand Each Attachment Style and Its Unique Coping Reaction 7 The Clash of Emotional Attachment Styles 8 The Stepcouple Shuffle 9 Bolster Your Security Level 10 Modify Your Reactions 11 Don’t Let a Grudge Weigh You Down 12 Gain Courage to Express Feelings with Confidence 13 Communicate Effectively 14 Boost Your Partner’s Security 15 Go Gently into Conflict 16 Dance the Waltz of Intimacy STEP 3: ADDRESS YOUR SPECIFIC STEPCOUPLE CHALLENGES 17 Manage Insider/Outsider Issues 18 Tame Your Partner’s Green-Eyed Monster 19 Construct Healthy Boundaries 20 Balance Power in Your Relationship 21 Further Steps Closing Words Acknowledgments Appendix Notes Bibliography Index About the Author
  • Dating, relationships, living together & marriage
  • Separation & divorce
  • General (US: Trade)
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List Price: £16.99