Raising Children in a Blended Family, Helpful Insights, Expert Opinions & True Stories, by Maxine Marsolini, 176 Pages, Kregel Publications, 2006, ISBN: 10082543355X, $11.99

Maxine Marsolini noted Portland author, speaker, and Christian counselor, remarried after a painful divorce and expected to live “happily ever after.” But the blend of their five children, plus one of their own, created an overwhelming emotional tug-of-war for attention. Soon, the emotional swings made Maxine feel they were three families trying to be one—“his, mine, and ours.”

Marsolini accepted an invitation to attend a Bible Study Fellowship from God’s Word and discovered she and Charlie needed inner healing to enable them to build a strong new family. When she said, “yes” to Jesus and accepted God’s love and forgiveness, that healing began. Soon Charlie followed suit, and their fragmented family became one as they learned to pray and gain knowledge about God’s plan for each of them.

I encourage any stepparent to read this book. It will show you how to BLEND to:

Become one family

Listen with respect

Encourage everyone equally

Negotiate personal needs

Deliver individual dreams

Twenty-one chapters provide a road map of suggestions to encourage stepparenting that recognizes the loss and grief children experience through death or divorce. The first section accentuates the child’s point of view, followed by “Let’s Look at This Family,” where the problem is identified. Each child’s story includes a short statement, “If I Could Tell My Parents Something, It Would Be…” followed by Scripture, thought for today, and age appropriate “Things We Can Do Now,” for pre-school, grade-school and teenage children.

The second section includes offerings from well-known educators, authors, and counselors who provide tools to achieve wholesome, confident parenting and a strong relationship with Christ.

Tips include how to identify and attack the problem and not the person, and the importance of time and patience to build trust.

 The book incorporates the short story of Chester, an adopted, fledgling goose. The story illustrates examples of trust, compassion, and love necessary for healthy growth. The concluding story demonstrates how acceptance of Jesus exchanges sorrow and pain for Christ’s peace and joy. Extensive notes and bibliography complete this much needed book.