The Happy Stepcouple

How Couples with Stepchildren Can Strengthen Their Relationships

By: Rachelle Katz

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

The 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. More than two thirds of stepcouple relationships break up within the first few years of committing to each other. With these terrible odds, every stepcouple needs an arsenal of tools necessary to sustain a loving relationship. The Happy Stepcouple gives them everything they need to navigate complex stepfamily dynamics with confidence and kindness, allowing them to build a happy, fulfilling life together.

Utilizing the most current research in attachment theory, psychology, communication, and marriage and family therapy, Rachelle Katz offers a grounded approach to overcoming problems stepcouples experience by examining the two primary reasons why so many of these relationships get in trouble: Partners' inability to understand, agree to, and fulfill each other's unspoken needs and expectations, and communication styles during conflicts that increase each partner's insecurity levels and weakens their emotional connection to each other. Here, stepcouples learn how to establish realistic stepfamily expectations as well as identify and modify harmful communication patterns, essential elements needed to strengthen their emotional bond.

©2020 The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. (P)2020 Tantor

Excellent!

This is an amazing book with practical information. I learned so much about myself, about navigating my relationships, and about accepting complex feelings. Although this book is designed for step-couples, all people can truly benefit from this well written book. I highly recommend !

Wow!

What an incredible book. I feel like for the first time in my life I am able to listen and communicate better. I have a better understanding of what a stepfamily actually looks like and can now navigate the many challenges that come along with that.

Really great for Stepcouples!

This is a great book! Gives real examples, coping mechanisms, and tangible facts to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. This is not one of those religious family books- if you’re into that no judgment, they are just not for me. A lot of parenting/coupling/blended family books are highly religious. This one isn’t.