Advice from the Blender

Title: Advice From the Blender

Author: Susan J Hetrick

Summary: I am a blender child. When my father remarried, his new wife also married three little girls from his first marriage. I have little memory of that time, as a matter of fact, I didn't know my "mother" was actually my stepmother until was 13! Of course, I was a product of a time when divorce, remarriage and all that accompanies life changes was not talked about. With divorces hovering in the fifty percent range, divorce is out in the open. Yet, with all that openness, problems still abound. Advice from the Blender is a deceptively general overview. Divided into eight chapters, Susan J. Hetrick draws not only on her own experiences blending two families, she has a wide variety of blended families' experiences as well. This is one of the few books that mention older second marriages. Each chapter begins with advice, and then gives several questions to think about while reading real families' struggles and solutions with the same topic (i.e.: choosing battles, in-laws, ex spouses, holidays, etc.). After relating experiences from some of the families, there is a brief wrap up and off to another topic. The information is on topic, brief and presented more in a suggestion format. Hetrick is an M.Div in counseling, and there is a religious influence throughout the book, but it doesn't bash the reader over the head. The Appendixes have several book, Internet and organizational offerings. There is also a separate Appendix of Bible verses for the blended family. Throughout the book the themes of respect, kindness, and humor are emphasized.....and Hetrick approaches her audience in the same way. Hearing the voices of others in the same situations, and their solutions can make the step-parent feel a little less alone. This is a good book to read before the blend, or to give to someone considering the move.

Recommendation: This is a book I would recommend to anyone thinking of blending families. The humor and easy to read format makes this a valuable reference.

Hearts: 4