Stepmotherhood : How to Survive Without Feeling Frustrated, Left Out, or Wicked,Revised Edition

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Summary: Other people feel the same way
Review: This book is good for an individual looking for someone to identify with how they are feeling. The author gives anecdotes that relate to real life situations that any step-family may experience. The book, however, does not give the advice that I expected it to. Mostly, it told the reader of experiences they might have in a step-relationship. It did not give the reader in depth advice on how to deal with those experiences.

Rating:
Summary: Stepmotherhood
Review: This book is good, but I've read better. It views stepmotherhood from the child's perspective. I've enjoyed other books that ask for the stepmother's perspective.

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Summary: Very Helpful!
Review: This book is incredibly helpful. Some of it I can relate to and some of it doesn't apply, but hearing all types of women's stories is so interesting. It has helped me better understand, and not take personally, many situations. It is easy to read and on target.

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Summary: A total reassuring guide for any stepmother to read!
Review: This book made me feel good about myself and my role as a stepmother with countless reassuring examples on how to handle this challenging lifestyle. Cherie Burns helps explain how to handle every situation such as discipline,guilt, husbands, and family life. I thoroughly recommend this book to all stepmothers to read!

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Summary: Very down-to-earth advice for step-mothers
Review: This book was an excellent overview for a new step-mom. It has delightful and poignant life-experiences from real step-moms and even biological fathers. Mostly, it lets you know that you are not alone in your feelings for your step-child, even if those feelings are negative. Allows you to see yourself as part of a community, rather than alone in the world and in this particular situation. Helps you to focus on what is important and advises you to let go of the rest. Excellent chapters on focusing on your marriage, how to handle vacations with the step-children, dealing with your husband's ex-wife, and when to get help. All in all, a very fine book.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: This book will make any new stepmom or setpmom-to-be feel that they are not alone, it's OK to feel confused and upset in the unique sitations that stepparents find themselves in, and you can deal with it and retain your sanity. I lend it to all my friends who are stepmoms.

Rating:
Summary: a good start
Review: This is a good book if you need to see your feelings about being a stepmother intelligently formulated. It's a good start for anyone who finds themselves in a step situation and feels as woefully unprepared for it as most stepparents do. Since I am married to a widower, I looked forward eagerly to the chapter on widowers, but I found the information fairly general. In fact, that is the most relevant comment about this book - it is a short, general guide to being a stepmother though astonishingly informative for its brevity. Both my husband and I read it in one sitting and saw our situation reflected in many of its pages. If you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of stepmotherhood, I would get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Bad Place To Start
Review: Vindictive, bitter and sadly out-of-date. If you want to commiserate with an anguished soul walk this path with Cherie, but there is no clearing in this book, just the claustrophobia of her negativity. Don't let this book be your first read on being a step-mom. Cherie is a dodgy layman, lacking a relevant, current perspective. Try "The Enlightened Stepmother" before wallowing in this quagmire.

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Summary: Crucial to a step-mother's library!
Review: When I started reading this book, I suddenly felt not so alone. The suggestions are practical and useful. I found myself realizing that my expectations of everyone involved (including myself) had to be scaled back. I was re-energized and comforted. What I liked best was that though the book is centered on step-mothering, many of the suggestions can be applied to any family life--especially when it comes to communication, discipline, etc. I would defintiely recommend this book to other step-moms.

Rating:
Summary: Honest
Review: Yes, this book may come across as negative, but it is realistic. Being a stepmom is tough and tougher still when you go into it with rose colored glasses and the belief that it will all be wonderful. It isn't. Cherie is honest in her assessment of the stepmom experience for most women who find themselves inheriting children who view them as the sole reason their parents aren't getting back together-- Even when their mother has been remarried for years and their parents were never happy. This book helped me focus on the positives of my life as a stepmom by working through the negative. While there were things I could not relate to (my skids were teens when I became their father's wife), the advice is clear, realistic and above all else honest.