Customer Reviews
Great book! - By: Ms. M. Bradford, 04 Jan 2008 
Probably the best book I've read so far on this topic. It is well written, clear, enjoyable, & absolutely packed with practical & analytical advice. I think the authors background as both mother, step-mother & psychotherapist makes for a very balanced & insightful view of the subject. Unlike some books which drift into "Us & Them" territory, this offered real support for my feelings but without devaluing the needs of others in the step-family relationship. No scare-tactics or ultimatums, just a helpful & realistic look at how we can best get through the "step-muddling" process.
Really helps refocus and heal - By: , 17 Jan 2005 I am a mother of two adult children & have been a stepmother of adolescent children for two years now. They live with their mother but see us regularly. This book is set in 5 parts & focuses, as it should on you, as stepmother, & the kids. Yes, the X is mentioned with good tips regarding not only how to deal with her but how to 'survive' the various interactions with her X, the in-laws (her now former), & maybe even you without becoming wicked & manipulative yourself. I learned how much this situation reallly pulled me out of my very centered self & into a morass that bubbled up after we were married. I learned to refocus on my marriage & nurture that relationship above alll else. Another valuable lesson I took away about her pain was that our dating was one thing for her to know about but that our marrying signaled the absolute end of her marriage with no going back even though she was the one who walked away from their 16 years together. Her post-vow nastiness sent me into a state of shock that prompted me to learn how best to deal with alll of it. The Courage to be a Stepmom is certainly one of the good ones no matter the age of the child/ren or how vengeful the X. Sometimes I read portions aloud to my husband because the author expressed my inner turmoil in words he could hear objectively. Often I would read a section, then set the book aside to ponder the message, digesting it & then go back to take in some more. I am in an ongoing process & with the info in this book (plus a few others), my loving husband & a few 'been-there-done-that' friends I am finding the courage to be a wonderful stepmom.
The most loving support anyone's given me! - By: , 26 May 1999 Only just a few pages into this book there were stories from other stepmoms that shared experiences which sounded just like what is going on in my new stepfamily. Sue is so kind & understanding & she even made me laugh at my situation which gave me so much relief! I would recommend or buy this book for anyone I knew was becoming a stepmom or already trekking down that difficult road.
The friendly hug that stepmothers have been waiting for! - By: , 19 May 1999 In a candid, warm, & down-to-earth tone, Sue Thoele explains her own struggle with stepmothering & gives no-nonsense advice on how to create & nurture a healthy family while nurturing yourself, also. This is a must-read for every woman who finds herself in the stepparenting role. This is the warm hug & friendly smile that stepmothers everywhere so desperately need!
For stressed-out stepmothers who want to learn to relax. - By: , 17 Apr 1999 Sue Patton Thoele's book, "The Courage to Be a Stepmom" is well written & speaks to stepmothers as not just stepmothers but as women & caretakers who need to remember to take care of themselves as well as their stepfamilies. Her book demonstrates to stepmothers not only the various stepmothering issues & coping strategies but also how to take care of their spiritual, mental, & physical well being throughout the process. Ms Thoele's book also sites personal experiences from her own twenty-five years of stepmothering & her book is wholesome, healing, & easy to read. I enjoyed it very much & highly recommend it to alll stepmothers as well as women thinking about becoming a stepmother. Thanks, Angela Thacker
