Description
Book SynopsisThe Happy Stepcouple is a comprehensive and practical self-help book designed to help couples with children from prior relationships thrive despite the complexity of stepfamily life. The number of issues stepfamilies juggle, from supporting multiple households to establishing healthy boundaries with family members, can make it challenging to establish a flourishing relationship--especially since many stepcouples face them before they have had the chance to learn how to work well as teammates. In fact, the stress is so intense, more than two thirds break up within the first few years of committing to each other. But by learning how to establish realistic stepfamily expectations and communicate about problems in ways that strengthen their emotional connection to each other, most stepcouples can withstand the trials and tribulations of stepfamily life and succeed within it.
Trade ReviewThe Happy Stepcouple tackles head on the challenges facing stepfamilies. Packed with practical advice, case examples, exercises, it provides readers with a toolbox of skills to repair and enhance their relationships. Highly recommended. -- Robert Taibbi, LCSW, author of "Doing Couple Therapy: Craft & Creativity in Work with Intimate Partners"
Filled with relatable stories and evidence-based strategies, The Happy Stepcouple is a comprehensive guide to transforming your relationship. As a psychotherapist and a stepmom herself, Katz offers a unique perspective on the biggest challenges facing stepcouples. Katz provides practical steps that you and your partner can take to improve your relationship. A real game-changer for stepcouples and their stepfamilies! -- Elizabeth Mosaidis, Author of "The Stepmom Project"
Creating a happy, thriving stepfamily can take real work. As Rachelle Katz shows in The Happy Stepcouple, many of the common, practical challenges are complicated by unrealistic expectations for stepfamily bliss, differences in the emotional attachment style of the adults, and communication habits that can undermine love and security just when it’s needed most. Viewing the stepcouple relationship through an attachment theory lens, the Happy Stepcouple helps partners manage the emotions, expectations and influences that can threaten harmony at home. Based on Katz’s own experience as a stepmother, her work counseling other stepmothers in her psychotherapy practice, and primary research, The Happy Stepcouple is a valuable tool for married and living-together partners with children from previous relationships, who find themselves struggling for more agreement, security and joy. -- Wendy Paris, Author of "Splitopia: Dispatches from Today's Good Divorce and How to Part Well"
