Three ways I’ve helped my stepfamily grieve the deaths of both previous spouses.
Blended Family

Two Funerals and a Wedding

The Search: Who Am I Now?
From widow and single mother to second wife and stepmom, my soul suffered an identity crisis.

Survival Tips for the First Year of Stepfamily Life
Ten ideas that helped (or would have helped) my family during our first blended year.

Some Good News About the Bad News About Marriage
Divorce rates aren’t really as bad as the academics were implying.

Learning to Speak Marriage Again
A new marriage requires learning different forms of affection, communication, traditions, and expectations.

A Healthy Stepfamily Needs ‘God-Esteem’
Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but that requires first knowing who we are in Christ.

Creating Closer Relationships in Stepfamilies
Strengthen bonds between kids and stepparents by going on a trip that doesn’t fit into the status quo.

Co-Parenting Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly
When the world is telling you to blame your ex-spouse and embrace bitterness, you can work on turning your thoughts toward a peaceful working relationship.

A Time to Grieve During Stepfamily Holidays
Three helpful hints I use to navigate the holidays in my blended family.

Navigating the Holidays as an Adult Child of Divorce
At Christmas, decisions for an adult child of divorce become especially difficult, with both parents vying for your loyalty and attention.

Grafting: A Painful but Beautiful Process for Blended Families
Your stepfamily may have another river to cross and a few more battles to face, but don’t give up—significant rewards lie ahead.

Stepparenting and the Law
Even though the legal rights of a stepparent over his or her stepchildren is limited, love is not limited.

Extending Love and Grace to Outsiders in Blended Families
God showed His love for us by bringing the outsider in, and that’s how Christians should love the “extended” members of stepfamilies.

Divorced Parents Can Co-Parent Peacefully
Divorced parents should constantly evaluate themselves and ask if their behavior is helping or hurting their children.

The Role of a Stepgrandparent
You can be an important and influential role in the family with a little grace and wisdom.

Parents Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Biological parents who find themselves caught between their spouse and their child should step out of the conflict as often as possible.
How to Cook a Stepfamily
Whether you realize it or not, your stepfamily has likely assumed a specific integration style. By that, I mean a set of assumptions about how your stepfamily ‘ought’ to come…

The Challenge of Re-Sex
Sex is an important part of remarriage, but a healthy sexual relationship doesn’t necessarily result in a healthy marriage.

Stepparenting Teenagers
Adolescence is a natural time of turmoil in nearly every family.

Dealing With a Destructive Ex-Spouse
One of the most menacing dynamics attacking the health of a stepfamily is a destructive parent in the other home.

Setting Boundaries for a Meddling Ex-Spouse
When you have a new marriage and blended family, it’s important to build a respectful working relationship with your ex.

Resurrected Pain
Be prepared to face loss as you celebrate the holidays.

Placing Your Spouse in the Front Seat of Your Heart
Your children will benefit when you make a strong commitment to your new spouse.
Having an ‘Ours’ Baby
“Should we have a baby together?” It’s an interesting question from stepfamily couples and I’m always taken aback by it. Couples on their first marriage never ask me that question!…

10 Things to Know Before You Remarry
Challenges every single parent should consider before deciding to remarry.

Maximizing the Fun Factor in Your Remarriage
A regular dose of fun, relaxing time together is a key part of a dynamic, fulfilling relationship.

Do You Feel Like an Outsider With Your Stepchildren?
Practical suggestions for stepmoms.
Honest Communication Is a Stepfamily’s Greatest Ally
David’s new marriage was on the verge of failure. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his wife; they just could not agree on how much responsibility their children should have….
Stepfamilies: Is This Normal?
I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Africa a few times in my life. The rules of the road and expectations of other drivers are not like those in the…
7 Suggestions for a Parent Going Through Divorce
It was late in 2007 when I knew that something was not right in my marriage. My wife was very distant and didn’t want to talk about our problems. She…