Cinderella Revisited-How to Survive your Stepfamily without a Fairy Godmother

Issue- Step families

Author- Dr. Peter Marshall

Age Range-0-16+

Key words- stepfamilies and resolving differences

This is a book for any adult who is, or is about to become part of a stepfamily. Dr Marshall takes the time to acknowledge how many forms stepfamilies can take, and just how complex the relationships and situations can be. He offers consistently sensible and practical advice on how to approach difficulties in family life. Written from his personal experience and around twenty years of research and clinical practice in psychology. This book provides a comprehensive and realistic account of many of the problems that can occur and how they can be overcome. Time is taken to look at the perspectives of children, parents, stepparents and grandparents. The book examines among other aspects of stepfamily life: practicalities such as custody/access and discipline; the different relationships that are brought about by a new union ("do we have to like each other?"); and explores how to reconcile different family routines and cultures.

Dr Marshall was born in Britain, but has lived in Canada since 1973, because of this he has assumed a somewhat "American" style, for example he uses terms like "co-parenting". However, the down to earth approach is easily accessible and the content is very useful and informative.