Understanding God’s Heart for Stepfamilies

In the U.S., 63% of people have some kind of blended family relationship.

That is a massive number of homes trying to figure out a whole new normal, blending different backgrounds, routines, and personalities under one roof. The trouble is, there is no one-size-fits-all playbook for making it all work. It’s rarely smooth. Everyone involved has to learn how to navigate new boundaries, build trust from scratch, and figure out where they fit in. It takes patience, plenty of messy conversations, and a lot of grace to get everyone on the same page.

Author Laura Petherbridge has experienced the best and the worst of stepfamilies. Her father and mother divorced when she was nine years old. Her father later divorced again and remarried a third time, meaning Laura had two different stepmoms growing up.

As an adult, Laura herself divorced. When she remarried, it was to a man with two adolescent sons. Although she and her husband have been married for 39 years, she says she would have been a better stepmom if she had healed from her past.

And so will you be if you heal from yours. At Focus on the Family, we want to give you the tools you need to navigate the difficult circumstances that emerge in blended families – which is why I’ve invited Laura to join me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

Laura Petherbridge is known as “The Smart Stepmom.” She’s been studying about marriage and stepfamily relationships for 35 years and has written several books, including the one we’re discussing, Stepfamilies of the Bible: Timeless Wisdom for Blended Families.

She’ll give you practical ideas for navigating the complex emotions, relationships, and challenges of today’s blended families, including:

• The challenges of step-parenting.

• What happens when parents won’t parent.

• Identifying “guilty dad syndrome” and doing something about it.

• Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar: overcoming jealousy and resentment.

• Jacob, Joseph, and the “ours” baby.

• Jesus and step-siblings.

You won’t have the same emotional bond with your stepchild that you will with your biological child, but that doesn’t mean you won’t or can’t love them. Discover how to tap into the bond between parent and children as God designed it.

Hear my full conversation with Laura Petherbridge on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

If your blended family is struggling and would like to speak with a counselor, call Focus on the Family for a free consultation. Leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Laura Petherbridge’s book Stepfamilies of the Bible: Timeless Wisdom for Blended Families is available for a gift of any amount. And when you help Focus on the Family today with a gift, your donation will be DOUBLED for twice the impact in helping others through this ministry. Our thanks to generous donors who’ve made that possible. For more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).