http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3 Stepfamily Blog by Syndicated Columnist & Stepmother Dawn Miller Mon, 05 May 2008 05:47:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A new study by Florida State University researcher Kathryn Harker Tillman found that teens living with half-siblings and step-siblings, may not do as well in school as those living with only full siblings. The study was based on a nationally representative study of more than 11,000 youth in grades 7-12. United ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/05/05/stepfamily-teens-dont-do-as-well-in-school-says-study/ America watched in horror in 2006 on ABC Primetime as Kyle Nelson, then a teenager, was beaten by her stepfather and cheered on by her stepmother, in an expose called "Stepfamilies in Crisis." The show's producers did nothing to stop the abuse, and the public outrage about ABC's failure to protect ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/05/04/stepparents-added-to-lawsuit-against-abc-primetime-for-stepfamily-story/ The Miami Herald reprinted some great tips from Don and Kathy Coryell to help blended families (with a few comments from me added in): Make God the center of your family. "It has to start there," Kathy said. I think one challenge we faced in our marriage is that my husband became more religious after coming ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/03/27/more-tips-to-help-blended-families/ If you watched ABC last night, then you saw the Turner family from Fairmont, West Virginia receive a new luxury house from the popular television show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The full episode is posted on the ABC website for viewing if you missed it. Mom and dad in the family are ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/03/10/stepfamily-scores-new-home-from-extreme-makeover-home-edition/ The rocky terrain of stepfamily life can be difficult to navigate - but with careful steps - we can get around the hot spots and build a solid family life. A profile published this week in the Modesto Bee interviews Don and Kathy Coryell, who are speaking today at a conference for ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/03/01/couple-with-stepfamily-ministry-shares-what-theyve-learned-conference-today-in-modesto/ In 2006, ABC Primetime viewers watching a "Stepfamilies in Crisis" expose, were horrified to see Kyle Nelson, then 15, being assaulted and screamed at by her father and stepmother. One of the most heart-rending scenes showed preschool-aged stepsiblings praying loudly at the dinner table to drown out the sounds of profanity and ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/02/21/abc-primetimes-expose-of-stepfamilies-nets-a-lawsuit-for-diane-sawyer-company/ When National Guard Sgt. Jonathan VanderWert went to Iraq in August, he left behind his wife, Blake, and a blended family with 7 children. They were living in a 120-year-old fixer-upper house in Minnesota bought to hold their large family. But VanderWert's deployment to Iraq left their rehab efforts in tatters. Walls were ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/02/20/blended-military-family-gets-home-rehabbed/ A new British study of stepdads confirms that they often have a difficult time adjusting to their roles, and face conflict, especially with teenage boys. In a story on MS-NBC in south Florida, the struggles of stepdad John Vanek in San Jose with 13-year-old Ian are detailed. Initially thrilled with their ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2008/02/18/its-not-just-stepmoms-new-stepdad-study-confirms-rocky-role-adjustments/ The news media are providing more coverage this year of stepfamilies and their holiday juggling acts.  It's still not nearly enough to help the millions out there dealing with blended family issues over the holidays, but here's a few articles with advice and tips: Blending traditions not so easy -  Edmond ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2007/12/14/blended-family-holiday-blues-media-offer-tips-advice/ This study is specifically examining how parent-child and parent-parent relationships in families are interrelated, and how factors like stress, optimism and support impact those relationships. While I will be recruiting people from a wide range of family structures for the study, I am hoping to specifically recruit a reasonable number ... http://thestepfamilylife.com/blog3/2007/12/13/new-study-married-or-dating-with-children/