In addition to her most recommended book, "Stepparenting", Dr. Lofas also worked on an audiobook, "How to be a Stepparent" which was digitally remastered recently and made available for download through the Amazon store. The audiobook is perfect for children and adults.

You can also listen to the audiobook by clicking the play button below:

Why your first family will not be like your stepfamily ? Learn more by listening to the latest podcast from Dr. Jeannette Lofas, Founder and President of the Stepfamily Foundation and Larry Bilotta of Relationship Revelation radio. 

Dr. Jeannette Lofas was interviewed by Larry Bilotta of Relationship Revelation radio.  The interview was about the differences between the biological family and the stepfamily.


Click below to play the audio:

Just what is the American family today?

According to the U.S. Census:

• Less than 25% of families are traditional nuclear families.

• 50% are some form of stepfamily    one, or  both,  biological parents has a new partner

• 2 out of 3 break up.

Below are some tips to make it work:

1. Set specific routines for the AM and PM. Prepare for the next day the night before by laying out clothes, homework, and book bags.

2. Rules, forms and norms must be decided by the both of you and written as the House Rules.

3. Decide on your roles as Male and Female Head of House.

4. Go over your House Rules as a couple. Present them for this year together in a family meeting.

5. Create structure with expected manners, chores, responsibilities and positive and negative consequences.

6. Be Predicable.  If you say it! Do it! Make a rule and enforce that rule.

7. As a couple remind and support each other in keeping order and forms and norms.

8. Remember being organized with clear, agreed upon discipline, guidance, love and encouragement is the most important job of the heads of the family.

9. Take your place as leader in your stepfamily. The children win at life when you have the courage do what you need to do to make a happy family. Enjoy the benefits and seeing the kids thrive in the new order.

10.Guard your sense of humor

Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper upbringing, a sound set of manners—and witnesses.

Manners are About Respect and Kindness
Manners and etiquette go back to the days of chivalry. Remember King Arthur’s Court? King Arthur decided that he and his knights would sit at a round table as an expression of respect for each other. King Arthur and his knights resolved to set a standard of behavior. Knights were expected to be gallant, honorable, generous, and courteous. Valor, bravery, honesty, protecting the weak, and treating foes benevolently were valued. The ideal knight was known by his gracious courtesy and high-minded consideration, especially toward women. Chivalrous and courtly manners allowed people to get to know each other better, romance each other, and be kind to one another.

Manners are indeed about being kind and not about forks. They are about creating intimacy. Not the stuff of sex, but the stuff that makes you care for and respect someone, whether he be a parent, child, friend, or lover.

What does this have to do with today’s families? Lots, because children imitate the way men and women behave with each other. The let-it-all-hang-out mode of expression has become the name of the game, and it’s regrettable. Today, language is often crude, behavior seems to have little form, and rituals may have become a thing of the past.