{"product_id":"stepfamilies-love-marriage-and-parenting-in-the-first-decade-9780767901031","title":"Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade","description":"Based on a landmark longitudinal study, the nation's leading expert on stepfamilies reveals his breakthrough findings and offers the first detailed guide to easing the conflicts of stepfamily life and healing the scars of divorce. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThere are more than twenty million stepfamilies in America. For most of them, the simple, daily issues that challenge every family are even more anxiety-provoking. After conducting a comprehensive nine-year-long study funded by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. James H. Bray has written an invaluable book that explains why over half of all stepfamilies fail and reveals the strategies that help the others succeed. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA stepfamily is assaulted on all sides by difficult and often divisive questions. How much control should a stepparent have over a stepchild? How much authority should a nonresidential parent exert over a child? How should a difficult former spouse be handled? How does an \"ours\" baby change the emotional dynamic in a stepfamily? Why is there a lack of \"honeymoon effect\" during the first years of stepfamily life? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe purpose of \u003ci\u003eStepfamilies\u003c\/i\u003e is to answer all the important questions of stepfamily life--to fill in the knowledge gaps that undermine so many stepfamilies today and, crucially, to learn the effect of stepfamily life on children. Based on one of the largest and longest studies of stepfamily life ever conducted, \u003ci\u003eStepfamilies\u003c\/i\u003e interweaves the stories of real families to illustrate such study findings as how: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e a stepfamily has its own natural life cycle\u003cbr\u003e a stepfamily takes several years to develop into a family unit\u003cbr\u003e a stepfamily is at greatest risk during the first two years\u003cbr\u003e a stepfamily ultimately coalesces into one of three forms\u003cbr\u003e a stepfamily must solve four basic tasks in order to succeed\u003cbr\u003e a stepfamily can help heal the scars of divorce \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFilled with emotional, gripping stories, Bray's findings pinpoint the three major transitions in stepfamily life and identify the riskiest issues that can throw a family into crisis. Bray is the first to identify the several distinct forms that stepfamilies take and to explore which types of stepfamilies are more vulnerable than others and why. He also describes the natural life cycle of stepfamilies and basic tasks all stepfamilies must undertake to succeed. With a wealth of insight into the positive effects of remarriage, Bray shows how a loving, well-functioning stepfamily can lessen the trauma of divorce and restore a child's and family's sense of security. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMost stepparents remarry with the highest hopes and new resolutions for a better life. Never before have their unique needs been addressed in depth. Through insightful case studies and practical advice, \u003ci\u003eStepfamilies\u003c\/i\u003e reveals how a strong, stable stepfamily is as capable as a nuclear family of nurturing healthy development, of imbuing values, of setting limits and boundaries, and of providing a structure in which rules for living a moral and productive life are transmitted, tested, rebelled against, and ultimately affirmed. Bray's positive message and fascinating findings--many of which defy intuition--will put stepfamilies on the road to lifelong harmony.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e James H. Bray, John Kelly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Crown Publishing Group (NY)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/20\/1999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.53lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.95h x 5.22w x 0.81d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780767901031\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIngram Advance\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/1999 pg. 63\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames H. Bray, Ph.D., is a clinical and family psychologist and an associate professor of family medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. A frequent speaker at national conferences and guest on national television and radio shows, he lives in Houston, Texas. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJohn Kelly is the coauthor of numerous books on relationships, including \u003ci\u003eThree on the Edge: The Stories of Ordinary American Families in Search of a Medical Miracle\u003c\/i\u003e and the international bestseller \u003ci\u003eThe Secret Life of an Unborn Child.\u003c\/i\u003e He lives in New York City.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Crown Publishing Group (NY)","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43059541409907,"sku":"9.78077E+12","price":21.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/files\/img_18f15c2e-af46-4ed3-a5dd-7e2934ba4e79.jpg?v=1747307930","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/products\/stepfamilies-love-marriage-and-parenting-in-the-first-decade-9780767901031","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}