The Enlightened Stepmother : Revolutionizing the Role

Rating:
Summary: I am SOOO glad I read this
Review: This book really gives the low-down on situations that occur in stepfamilies - and helpful advice. It's everything you didn't want to hear, in gory detail, and how to avoid going down those roads. A MUST READ for any step-mother or woman who is dating a man with kids. Compiled from a multitude of real stories, this book is a gem. It will open your eyes.

Rating:
Summary: I am SOOO glad I read this
Review: This book really gives the low-down on situations that occur in stepfamilies - and helpful advice. It's everything you didn't want to hear, in gory detail, and how to avoid going down those roads. A MUST READ for any step-mother or woman who is dating a man with kids. Compiled from a multitude of real stories, this book is a gem. It will open your eyes.

Rating:
Summary: A breakthrough book offering wisdom and insight.
Review: This is a breakthrough book in stepmothering, and I only wish it had been available when I started out on the thorny path of stepparenting many years ago. It offers invaluable insight into many of the real problems faced and offers sensible and wise ways of dealing with the many issues. I keep it on my nightstand for easy access! Thank you, Ms. Norwood, for the support and enlightenment that your book offers.

Rating:
Summary: Errs on the negative side
Review: This is one of three stepmothering books I purchased, and after reading all three, I can say this book leaves me depressed and hopeless, feeling as though I cannot cope with what stepmothering brings. The 'real-life' examples and stories seem so negative and worst-case scenario. This book just encourages feeling negative and hopeless. It left me full of anxiety and fear, not answers and solutions. Even though it does offer up many useful suggestions, and illustrates the reality of stepmothering, it errs on the side of the negative extreme. I'm sure many women can relate to this book, but for those of us who need a positive approach, and have supportive partners and stepchildren who like us, actually love us, we need something else. I highly recommend "The Courage to be a Stepmom" by Thoele, and "The Stepmom's Guide to Simplifying Your Life" by Goodman. These two books left me feeling hopeful, I realized the positives and the love, the reasons WHY I'm even bothering with this difficult situation! I really see the hope and love in my situation after reading those two books, not so for "The Enlightened Stepmother". Perhaps, the best approach is to read this book first, to make sure you are well aware of the realities of stepmotherhood, THEN read the other two books to learn how to positively face the challenges.