Do you want to receive FREE daily tips about Stepparenting for the next 30 days?
Each email will contain facts, news, expert advice and suggested resources to help you along.
Tips
Bite-sized pearls of wisdom from our editors, experts, and community. Hint: If this is your first visit, make sure you start by reading our First30Tips.
The First Step to Stepparenting
It may be daunting to think of being a “parent” to children you didn’t conceive, but once you get in the swing of things you’ll find it’s one of the most rewarding changes you will experience in your life.
Shared by First30Days More»
What's Your Stepparenting Style?
It's important to determine early on what your role as "stepparent" will look like. This will help you define how you fit into the family.
Shared by First30Days More»
Beginning to Bond
Your biggest task in the first 30 days (and beyond) is to form a bond with your stepchild. You don’t have to be best friends, but you do have to find some common ground of mutual respect.
Shared by First30Days More»
Have Patience
Remember that this transition will take some time, so ease yourself into your new roles as spouse and stepparent. Don’t expect everything to be perfect right away, and don’t expect to know exactly how to “act” in this situation.
Shared by First30Days More»
Befriending the Ex
Yes, we do recommend you get on friendly terms with your spouse’s ex. Aligning yourself with the ex- may help ease the transition in more ways than you realize.
Shared by First30Days More»
Gathering Resources
Ask a stepparent what the first 30 days were like and he or she is likely to respond that it was a piece of cake compared to the next 30 days.
Shared by First30Days More»
Age Is More than a Number
Depending on the age of your stepchild when you enter the family, you could have a harder or easier time getting him or her to accept your presence.
Shared by First30Days More»
Catch Your Breath
You have reached the end of your first week, a mini-milestone in your journey to being an awesome stepparent.
Shared by First30Days More»
Stepparenting by the Book
Looking for more information on stepparenting? These five books will offer you the guidance you may need to make it through this transition successfully.
Shared by First30Days More»
Dealing with Discipline
One of the top questions stepparents ask is “how should I discipline my stepchild?” And, the short answer is “you don’t.”
Shared by First30Days More»
