BOOK: Step-Parenting With Grace

Blending with others can be challenging. Blending FAMILIES can be challenging times 100! I have not had to navigate this journey in the exact same way since I am married to my high school sweetheart and neither of us was married or widowed before we met. We did however have to learn to be our own family AND blend with each other's families. Later, when my Mother-in-Law remarried, we found our selves trying to blend with her husband as well as HIS whole family. It's safe to say there were some very rocky times as we all tried to find our footing, find our places within each other's lives. It hasn't always been easy by any stretch of the imagination, but through love, patience, and learning to communicate, we have managed to build a family that cares about each other and enjoys our time together.

So many people we know have been through divorce or been widowed that sometimes it's easy to forget how truly draining it can be for them to suddenly become a step-parent to children who might resist this intrusion into their lives. The children can feel like they are betraying their other parent if they show even a hint of care for the step-parent, so they put up a wall and try to prevent liking or loving someone new. Everyone suddenly has that added title/label - STEP. Step-parent, step-child. It can be confusing for all involved. 

Step-Parenting With Grace is a wonderful book of devotionals that can be read over and over. It is written by veteran step-mom Gayla Grace, who writes from her own experiences as a step-mother.  The book offers short stories positive words and affirmations to help calm when the storm is raging, when you feel like you are losing the battle to blend your family. The book is designed so you can pick it up read from any page to get encouragement. It's not something you have to read in page order (if you don't want to) and remember where you left off. If you need to know that you don't have to be perfect to make a difference in your step-children's lives, this book is good and reaffirming that. Trust me, NONE of us are perfect parents no matter our situation, but step-parents can be made to feel even less adequate and have some serious hatred thrown their way from several sides. These positive devotions show that there is a path through the turbulent times and reminds you that you ARE making a positive difference in the lives of your blended family. 

If you are traveling the step-parenting journey, know that even though there are million of others on the same journey, their story isn't your story. Every one's experience is  unique to them, but through it all, you are definitely not alone. Step-Parenting With Grace can help bring a different perspective to a problem and some calm to the storm that can come with blending families. 

Author Gayla Grace

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Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the Book Step-Parenting With Grace for the purpose of review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.