Dr. Patricia Papernow is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on “blended families.” She is in her fifth decade of working with, learning about, and teaching others about stepfamily relationships. She is the author of dozens of articles and book chapters and the three leading books about stepfamilies. Dr. Papernow is the 2023 recipient of the Award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Therapy from the American Family Therapy Academy and the 2017 Award for Distinguished Contribution to Couple and Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association’s Couple and Family Therapy Division.
Four Reasons To Learn About Stepfamilies
#1. Stepfamily relationships are everywhere.
- One out of three children under 18 lives in a stepfamily.
- 42% of American adults are currently in a close step relationship.
- 40% of older couples are part of a stepfamily.
#2. The challenges are intense.
- The phrase “blended family” does not describe the daily experience of most people who live in a stepfamily, especially in the early years.
- The challenges can be overwhelming for both adults and kids.
#3. What works is not intuitive.
- Blogs, tweets, and Facebook pages are dispensing well-meaning, but all too often, misleading advice.
#4. We do know what works!
- Get practical, research-informed directions for building a thriving stepfamily.
- Order Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t.
Did You Know
7 Tips for Parenting, Stepparenting, and Discipline in Stepfamilies
1. Research tells us that, for many children, becoming a stepfamily is harder and takes more time, than divorce. Stepfamilies are generally easier for children eight and under, and for boys. They are harder for girls (including, in my experience, for adult daughters of older recoupling dads). They are especially hard for young teen girls. 2…. Read More