Ron L. Deal is a renowned therapist and leading stepfamily expert. He has made a career of offering help to stepfamilies in many ways. He has also written a series of books on the topic of blended families.
In his book, The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family, Ron Deal shares the seven fundamental steps to blended family success. He also provides practical, realistic solutions to the issues many stepfamilies face.
This book is a great resource for anyone with stepchildren or who will soon become a part of a stepfamily. For instance, with Ron Deal’s help, you will discover how to:
- Solve the everyday puzzles of stepparenting and stepchildren relationships
- Recognize the personality and place of each family member
- Learn how to communicate effectively with an ex-spouse
- Handle stepfamily finances confidently
- Integrate your stepfamily slowly rather than expect an instant blend
- Honor families of origin while developing new traditions
The expanded edition of The Smart Stepfamily has updated research and offers helpful chapters on even more topics. Such new topics include stepsibling relationships and later-life stepfamilies.
While addressing such serious topics, Ron Deal can keep a light-heartedness throughout the entire book. He offers wise words of encouragement and some humor, which keeps his writing from becoming too negative or too heavy. Readers are sure to find this approach helpful and refreshing.
In addition, Ron Deal has written The Smart Stepfamily with the perspective of deeply Christian faith-based families in mind. He intertwines together biblical references, psychological research, empirical insights, and anecdotal stories.
This approach helps stepfamilies, but it can be a wonderful asset for the clergymen who serve them.
If you’re looking to purchase your own copy of The Smart Stepfamily, you can find the book on Amazon.
“The Smart Stepfamily is the best book available for stepfamilies that I’ve seen… Buy it, read it, and share it with a friend.”
~ Dennis Rainey, president, FamilyLife®, and author of Stepping Up
“We’ve pointed countless couples to this outstanding resource. And this revised and updated edition is better than ever!”
~ Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, founders of MarriageMentoring.com and authors of Saving Your Second Marriage Before It Starts
“Ron Deal has, by far, the best material available on stepfamilies. The insights and suggestions he shares work. Every stepfamily will benefit from reading this book.”
~ H. Norman Wright, licensed marriage, family, and child therapist, founder of Christian Marriage Enrichment, author.
Finally, stepfamilies require a lot of commitment and dedication. Click here for some bonding activities for stepfamilies.
