Table of Contents

Author’s Note: Trevor Talks about Her Own Blended Families—Past and Present
Introduction: Who Needs This Book?
Part I: A Spectrum of Opportunities and Challenges
1: The Practical Meaning of Attachment Styles
2: Understanding Parenting—and Step-Parenting—Styles
3: Key Challenges to the Blending Process
4: Step-Parenting Issues with Pre-Teens
Sidebar: An Essay about a Half Sister Being a Whole Sister
5: Step-Parenting Issues with Teens—Risk and Reward
Part II: The Five Things You Must Have to Succeed
6: Trust and Trustworthiness
7: Vulnerability and Emotional Strength
8: The Bridge to Empathy
9: Truth as a Gateway
10: Structure with Feeling
Part III: Stories and Practical Insights
11: Challenges , Options, and Solutions
12: Advice from the Front Line—Blending DOs and DON’Ts

About the Author

Trevor Crow Mullineaux, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the co-author with Maryann Karinch of Forging Healthy Connections. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University, Connecticut, and also holds an MBA from Harvard University and a BS from Parsons The New School for Design. She practices and resides in Southport, Connecticut.

Maryann Karinch is the author of 24 books, including Forging Healthy Connections, which she co-authored with Trevor Crow. Most of books and presentations focus on human behavior. In recognition of her work as a dedicated explorer of the psyche and mind-body interaction, The Explorers Club (most known for its membership of astronauts, anthropologists and explorers of terrain) took an unusual step and elected her to membership in 2010. Her website is www.karinch.com. She lives in Estes Park, Colorado.

Reviews

Considering that 50 percent of families in the U.S. are formed by a remarriage or recoupling, this optimistic and realistic book will be a good resource for many parents and stepparents. The content is geared toward those who are considering combining as well as those who are already blended and facing challenges. The book is organized into three sections. 'Opportunities and Challenges' includes a useful quiz about adult attachment styles and helps you understand your own style and that of your partner. In section 2, the authors lay out the 'Five Things You Must Have to Succeed,' and section 3 covers 'Stories and Practical Insights.” In the “Do’s and Don’ts' list in section 3, the authors reach beyond their own expertise and include insights from marriage-expert John Gottman and financial-expert Suze Orman. Mullineaux’s own story adds a personal touch and credibility to the mix. Despite the large number of blended families, there aren’t a lot of titles on the topic. Blending Families: Merging Households with Kids 8–18 would be a useful addition for any public library.
*Booklist*

Drawing on personal experience, professional consultation and research on blended families, the authors provide clear, practical advice for those of us who live in stepfamilies. The book will also be of interest to professionals who work with blended families.
*W. Kim Hanford, PhD, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia*

This book combines the real-world experiences of stepfamilies and the expertise of smart, compassionate therapists. You'll find it a valuable guide not just to successful family blending, but to how to be married well under challenging circumstances. It's a wise and uplifting book.
*William J. Doherty, Phd, professor of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota; author of Take Back Your Marriage*