Stepfamily Foundation Blog featuring Articles and News from Dr. Jeannette Lofas

Master's Certification Seminar

2/18/2017

Stepfamily Master's Certification Seminar

This is a special invitation.We have had many requests to conduct a Master's Level Certification Seminar. You are the people with whom I will leave my legacy, and who I think can and will make a difference.

Tentative dates for two day seminar: Let us know which dates work for you.
Proposed dates: May 21& 22, June 10 & 11,17 & 18 or any weekend in September
(September is my preference, or a summer weekend )

COST $1000: Fees are a tax-deductible contribution to the Stepfamily Foundation, Inc.
You will receive: Stepfamily Master Trainer Certificate

WE WILL COVER

Advanced Skills and information
Specific issues in your practice
The future of the stepfamily

1. INTAKE

Talking hypnosis
You draw genogram and get basics. Why?
Why intake system... strategy so vital?

2. NEW INFORMATION AND ISSUES

Dealing with millennials
Survival rate: Process of success & failure
The stepmother and discipline
Stepmothers at home and in the workplace
Decoding gender & step
The primal/unconscious actions and reactions that destroy

3. SKILLS

How much listening? How much teaching?
When and why stories work
Unraveling behaviors classic to each member
Bad-mouthing interventions
Working with BOTH very different realities and more...

4. CREATING A VISION FOR AND BUILDING YOUR PRACTICE

5. EVERYTHING ELSE YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW...

How To Spoil Your New Spouse for Valentine’s Day On A Budget

2/15/2017

How To Spoil Your New Spouse for Valentine’s Day On A Budget

By: Michelle Peterson

Photo via Pixabay by Bianamentil

When most of us think of Valentine’s Day, images of heart-shaped candy boxes and a vase full of flowers come to mind. But if you’re newly remarried, this holiday is about much more than that; it’s about making a gesture that is meaningful, something that will make your first Valentine’s Day as a married couple something to remember and cherish.

Thoughtfulness is key, so it’s important to sit down and think about what matters to your new spouse. Letting them know that you put a little thought into the day will go a long way.

Here are a few tips on how to spoil your loved one on the most romantic day of the year without breaking the bank.

Start small

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when planning for a nice gift--especially if you’re on a budget--so start small at first. Pick out several things you know your loved one will enjoy--or something you can enjoy together--and put them in a nice basket or gift bag. You can personalize this gift any way you want; for instance, if you’re both movie lovers, consider buying a couple of DVDs, popcorn, a soft blanket, and some boxed candy (like you find in the theater) and put it all together in a gift basket. Or if your spouse has children, ask your new stepkids to contribute to the gift. Younger kids might provide a drawing while older kids might create a photo collage of the new blended family.

Plan to pamper

Both sexes enjoy being pampered, so plan a spa night at home where you can give your loved one a massage, run a hot bath, and give your full attention to one another. Get creative and do a gentle hand massage with scented lotion, or a scalp massage to soothe and relax. Light some lavender-scented candles and play soft music to set the mood even further.

Eat in

You don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant and drop a couple hundred dollars on a meal and drinks; in fact, most restaurants are booked up on Valentine’s Day or have long waits. Why not skip all that hassle and eat in instead? Plan to cook your loved one their favorite meal and create a romantic atmosphere with candles, music, and a lovely table prepared with fresh flowers and gleaming flatware.

Or, again, if your new family is still bonding, you might invite your stepkids to join you. A fun, relaxing family meal followed by a game night could be a much more fulfilling way to show your love than a candlelit dinner.

Be helpful

One of the kindest things you can do for a loved one is to think of something they’ve been struggling with and find a way to help them out. If they’re too busy to clean up the garage but need the space for a woodworking project, surprise them by having it done when they get home from work. If their job requires them to be on their feet all day, buy gel inserts for their shoes and offer a long foot rub.

Plan a surprise

It doesn’t have to be a big one; small things, such as cutting out construction paper hearts, writing one thing you love about your new spouse on each one, and taping them inside their car while they’re at work are lovely ways to show you care. If you have step-children, this is something they can participate in. Take your favorite photos from the last year and create a photo book on Shutterfly, a meaningful gift they can keep forever.

This article is by Michelle Peterson of Recovery Pride. Her mission is aligned with that of RecoveryPride, which is to celebrate sobriety and those who achieve it.

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Jeannette Lofas, Ph.D, LCSW

President and Founder of Stepfamily Foundation, Inc., Dr. Lofas has been managing stepfamilies for thirty years. In 1995 Lofas received a presidential award for her work. Research reports that she has an 84% success rate. A stepchild and stepmother herself, she is considered to be the leading authority on stepfamilies. Dr. Lofas has written five books: Living In Step, McGraw-Hill, Stepparenting, Citadel, How to Be a Stepparent, Nightingale Connant; He's OK, She's OK: Honoring the Differences Between Men & Women, and Tzedakah, Family Rules, Kensington Books.

Master's Certification Seminar

Stepfamily Master's Certification Seminar

How To Spoil Your New Spouse for Valentine’s Day On A Budget

How To Spoil Your New Spouse for Valentine’s Day On A Budget

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