Blended families, also known as stepfamilies, are becoming increasingly common in today’s society. With divorce rates on the rise, many parents are finding themselves navigating the challenges of blending two separate families into one. While this can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. Luckily, there are many experts and experienced parents who have written helpful and informative books to guide blended families through this journey. In this blog post, we will explore the best parenting books for blended families, with a total of 45 top-rated picks.
1. “The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family” by Ron L. Deal
Ron L. Deal, a leading expert in stepfamily relationships, offers practical and biblical advice for building a strong and healthy blended family. This book covers topics such as communication, parenting, and managing conflict in a stepfamily.
2. “The Remarriage Manual: How to Make Everything Work Better the Second Time Around” by Terry Gaspard and Tracy Clifford
Written by a therapist and a journalist, this book offers a step-by-step guide for successfully navigating the challenges of remarriage and blending families. It includes real-life stories and exercises to help couples build a strong foundation for their new family.
3. “Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way We Do” by Wednesday Martin
In this insightful book, Wednesday Martin delves into the complex emotions and dynamics of being a stepmother. She offers tips and strategies for building a positive relationship with stepchildren and managing the expectations of the role.
4. “The Happy Stepmother: Stay Sane, Empower Yourself, Thrive in Your New Family” by Rachelle Katz
Written from the perspective of a stepmother and therapist, this book provides practical advice for navigating the challenges of stepmotherhood. It covers topics such as dealing with ex-spouses, managing stepchildren’s behavior, and maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner.
5. “Stepcoupling: Creating and Sustaining a Strong Marriage in Today’s Blended Family” by Susan Wisdom and Jennifer Green
This book offers a comprehensive guide to building a strong and successful marriage in a blended family. It covers topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and co-parenting with ex-spouses.
6. “The Co-Parenting Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids from Little Ones to Young Adults through Divorce or Separation” by Karen Bonnell
Co-parenting can be challenging, especially in a blended family. This book offers practical advice and strategies for raising children in a co-parenting situation, from infancy to young adulthood.
7. “Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade” by James Bray and John Kelly
Written by two experts in family therapy, this book offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and dynamics of blending families. It covers topics such as step-parenting, discipline, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
8. “The Blended Family Mom: A Six-Week Plan to Help Your Family Thrive” by Mary T. Kelly
This book offers a six-week plan for creating a strong and happy blended family. It includes practical tips and advice for building a strong family bond and navigating the ups and downs of stepfamily life.
9. “Blending Families Successfully: Helping Parents and Kids Navigate the Challenges So That Everyone Ends Up Happy” by George Glass
Written by a psychiatrist and stepfather, this book offers a step-by-step guide for building a successful blended family. It covers topics such as communication, discipline, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
10. “The Successful Stepfamily: Strengthening Your Blended Family” by Gary Chapman and Ron L. Deal
In this book, the authors draw on their own personal experiences and expertise to provide practical advice and strategies for building a strong and successful blended family. It covers topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and building a strong relationship with stepchildren.
11. “Stepparenting: 50 One-Minute DOs and DON’Ts for Stepdads and Stepmoms” by Rachelle Katz
This quick and easy read offers 50 practical tips for step-parents, from setting boundaries to handling discipline. It is a handy guide for those new to the role of step-parenting.
12. “The Power of a Stepfamily: Making Blended Families Work” by Ron L. Deal and Laura Petherbridge
This book offers a faith-based approach to building a successful blended family. It covers topics such as communication, co-parenting, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
13. “Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience” edited by Samantha Waltz
This collection of essays by stepfamily members offers a unique and personal look into the challenges and joys of blending families. It includes perspectives from both children and adults, making it a well-rounded and insightful read.

The Best Parenting Books for Blended Families: 45 Top-rated Picks
14. “The Smart Stepdad: Steps to Help You Succeed” by Ron L. Deal
In this book, Ron L. Deal offers advice specifically for stepfathers, covering topics such as building a relationship with stepchildren, managing discipline, and dealing with ex-spouses.
15. “The Happy Stepmother’s Handbook: How to Survive and Thrive in the Blended Family” by Rachelle Katz and Leslie Atkins Elliot
Written by two stepmothers, this book offers a practical and humorous approach to navigating the challenges of stepmotherhood. It covers topics such as managing emotions, dealing with ex-spouses, and creating a positive relationship with stepchildren.
16. “Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t” by Patricia L. Papernow
Drawing on her own personal experiences and professional expertise, Patricia L. Papernow offers a comprehensive guide to stepfamily relationships. She covers topics such as loyalty issues, discipline, and building a strong and healthy family bond.
17. “The Single Girl’s Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife: Becoming a Stepmother with Humor and Grace” by Sally Bjornsen
This humorous and relatable book offers advice for women who are marrying into a blended family. It covers topics such as navigating relationships with stepchildren, dealing with ex-spouses, and maintaining a strong and healthy marriage.
18. “Step-By-Step Parenting: A Guide to Successful Living with a Blended Family” by James A. Windell
This book offers practical advice and strategies for successfully blending a family. It covers topics such as communication, discipline, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
19. “Blending Families: Merging Households with Kids 8-18” by Trevor Crow Mullineaux
Written by a therapist and stepmother, this book offers a practical and empathetic approach to blending families. It covers topics such as step-parenting, discipline, and building a strong and happy family unit.
20. “The Everything Guide to Stepparenting: Practical, Reassuring Advice for Creating Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships” by Erin Munroe
This comprehensive guide offers advice for every step of the step-parenting journey, from getting to know your stepchildren to building a strong relationship with them. It also covers topics such as dealing with ex-spouses, managing discipline, and creating a positive environment for your blended family.
21. “Stepfamilies: Professionals and Stepcouples in Partnership” by Patricia L. Papernow
This book offers a unique perspective on blending families, focusing on the relationship between the couple and how it affects the stepfamily dynamic. It includes strategies and advice for building a strong partnership and creating a happy and successful blended family.
22. “Stepcoupling: Creating and Sustaining a Strong Marriage in Today’s Blended Family Workbook” by Susan Wisdom and Jennifer Green
This workbook is a companion to the book “Stepcoupling” (mentioned above) and offers exercises and activities for couples to strengthen their relationship and build a successful blended family. It includes worksheets and discussion questions to help couples navigate the challenges of blending families.
23. “The Single Girl’s Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife Workbook” by Sally Bjornsen
This workbook is a companion to the book “The Single Girl’s Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife” (mentioned above) and offers exercises and activities to help women prepare for stepmotherhood. It includes tips and advice for managing emotions, dealing with ex-spouses, and building a strong and healthy family.
24. “The Blended Family Sourcebook: A Guide to Negotiating Change” by Dawn Bradley Berry
This book offers a practical and insightful approach to navigating the challenges of blending families. It covers topics such as communication, discipline, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
25. “Becoming a Stepfamily: Patterns of Development in Remarried Families” by Patricia L. Papernow
This book offers a comprehensive look at the developmental stages of stepfamilies and how they affect relationships and dynamics. It includes tips and strategies for managing each stage and building a strong and cohesive family unit.
26. “Blending Families: A Guide for Parents, Stepparents, and Everyone Building a Successful New Family” by Elaine Fantle Shimberg
This book offers a step-by-step guide for creating a successful blended family. It covers topics such as communication, discipline, and managing relationships with ex-spouses.
27. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Stepparenting” by Ericka Lutz
This easy-to-read guide offers practical advice and tips for navigating the challenges of blending families. It covers topics such as establishing boundaries, managing discipline, and building a strong and happy family.
28. “The Blended Family: Achieving Peace and Harmony in the Christian Home” by Tom Frydenger
This book offers a faith-based approach to blending





