You’ve met someone!!! And they have a kiddo (or a few) and you’re wondering what that’s going to mean for your relationship. Or perhaps, you’re the one with a kiddo (or a few), and you want to be sure you get this part right for both your dating partner and your child. “ The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating to Getting Serious to Forming a ‘Blended Family’ ” provides essential guidance to parents who are dating and to those who are dating a parent. From those very first dates to including the kids to progressing to that big, important step of living together – this book is for you! Here’s what you’ll learn: When and how to introduce children to a dating partner – and some critical do’s and don’ts when you meet the kids. (We’ll offer a few key considerations to set you up for success.) - How to increase the amount of time spent all together with children – without turning the fun into a stress-mess. (What? That’s tricky? Read on…you’ll discover why kiddos don’t always jump on a parent’s dating train – and what to do about it.) - A roadmap through what we call the “Five Stepfamily Challenges.” These challenges will likely start surfacing long before you’re thinking about living together. They’ll grow in intensity as your relationship gets more serious. (Trust us: You’ll want these practical, proven tips to meet each challenge as they show up.) - Developmentally specific pointers for ushering children through the struggles of sharing a parent’s attention with another adult (and perhaps other children). - Research-based information on best practices for parenting, stepparenting and discipline as time together increases and you find you have really different ideas about what to do when the children act … like children . - Valuable tips for maintaining a cordial relationship with a permanent player in your relationship — the co-parent (ex-spouse) — the children’s other parent. (Like it or not, this important person will have an impact on your dating relationship pretty much from the start. You’ll definitely want to get this part right.) - A solid set of tried-and-true communication skills to help you constructively navigate the inevitable bumps and glitches once kids are involved in your dating relationship. (Key: You’ll find that as you enter this new relationship phase – adding the kids – you’ll likely face a surprising amount of complexity and conflict!) EMPOWERING, PRACTICAL, BACKED BY RESEARCHEvery family has obstacles -- but stepfamilies have considerably more. In The Stepfamily Handbook, Karen Bonnell and Patricia Papernow share some empowering and practical advice, backed by research (and common sense), to guide stepparents, parents and their partners through the highs and lows of stepfamily formation. I highly recommend this book to anyone in a stepfamily situation and the professionals that support them. - Rachel Brace,Psychologist, Sydney Australia and founder of Stepping Through an educational and support web-based resource for stepparents and their partners. RECOMMENDED READING!! Karen Bonnell, MS, and Patricia L. Papernow, EdD, have joined forces to bring readers a step-by-step, research-supported roadmap to understanding five major stepfamily challenges. This book offers parents and their new partners practical tips and advice on the process of stepping into a stepfamily - from beginning their dating life through to coming together under one roof - as it unravels and tackles the complexities of stepfamily life. -StepMom Magazine "You're holding the map to a successful 'blended family!' This is essential reading for everyone, at any point along the road to stepfamily - newly dating parents and partners, start here. Already living together, jump on in! Important insights with specific, practical guidance about your journey (and the kids!) from two nationally recognized experts. You've got the love and the kids-in-tow, they give you the compass!"-Anne Lucas, MA, LMHC, psychotherapist, mediator, divorce coach and stepparent Karen Bonnell, MS, is a divorce / co-parent coach, mediator and author of influential books related to separation, divorce, and child-centered parenting planning. Karen has dedicated her work to resolving conflicts thoughtfully--one person, one parenting pair, or one family at a time. Karen is committed to assisting parents navigate family transitions as skillfully as possible, which includes adding new adults - stepparents to a two-home family. In her work with Patricia Papernow, EdD, they have created a comprehensive guide from first dates to moving in together for parents, their new partners and their co-parents: The Stepfamily Handbook. Karen has served on the board of King County Collaborative Law and was a founding member of the Collaborative Professionals of Washington. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. She regularly presents on topics related to divorce and co-parent coaching, as well as advanced communication skills.  K