“Stepfamily Program Intensive”

How To Break Through Your Toughest Stepfamily Dilemmas and

RESOLVE Those Frustrating Issues With Your Partner and Children

…effectively… So You Can Enjoy Your Life, Be On The Same Page With

Your Partner About Your Home, Your Children and The Exes, and

Create a Fabulous, Satisfying and Loving Partnership.

Dear Wonderful Stepfamily Couple:

Are you frustrated by communication with your partner about certain issues?

Do you feel like your life just goes up and down?

Do you have to constantly figure out what to do about an ex-spouse?

Would you like to learn great strategies and tools that will work every time

you and partner have an issue to work out? 

Do you dread visitation with the children?

Do you wish you could have more structure and consistency in your family?

Was the romance and fun the first thing to go?

Would you like to be able to plan your weekends and holidays effectively?

Do you spend a lot of time worrying about your stepfamily's conflicts?

Are secretly wondering if you made a mistake about marrying your spouse, even though you still love him/her?

Well, you’re in the right place and I can’t wait to help you!

You and I are a lot alike when it comes to wanting a healthy and satisfying stepfamily life without the constant worries and uncertainties.  

My husband and I struggled for the first several years of our married life, trying to figure everything out, and keep up with all the changes in our lives.  There was a point where I was furious and he was really frustrated. Sometimes, we couldn’t even finish a conversation about the kids or the exes.

But that didn’t stop us from looking for the right answers. Like you may have been doing,  we furiously searched to find answers in books, on the internet, and from psychiatrists and psychologists.

We did learn many things, and I began helping others, even as I was trying to learn more. I was receiving tons of emails and working with stepfamilies who needed hope, guidance and solutions as a support group for the Stepfamilies Association of America. 

I examined EVERY Stepfamily Program out there (and there aren’t many) and I found THE ONE! I discovered the Stepfamily Foundation. My husband and I attended their Stepfamily Coaching Certification and were taught the program by the author and founder, Dr. Jeanette Lofas.

Now you can learn what we did without taking all that time, all those years, and all that money.

After almost 8 years of marriage and 4 teenage kids, my husband and I are happier than we have ever been, and it is not because our life is easy.

Our life is complicated with exes on both sides and lots of things going on… but we have the tools and skills to make our marriage and our family work.

Learn the real rules, and the vital (and often hidden) issues that cause the high break up rate among new partners with children. 

Understand management for a successful stepfamily in this couple-tested, one-of-a-kind program for stepfamilies developed by the Stepfamily Foundation and Dr. Jeanette Lofas, which has an 84% success rate for stepfamilies.

“The stepfamily is as different from the biological family in function, management, and roles as is checkers from chess. It is more complex. It is more difficult. Once people know the rules- how to manage a stepfamily and roles of each member of the family- the new system can and does work.”   Dr. Jeanette Lofas, Stepfamily Foundation

You’ll be relieved to know it is easy to follow. First, you’ll learn all about the hidden issues of stepfamily dynamics and exactly how you can conquer the issues now and in the future.

Then, you’ll learn how to build couple strength and learn to communicate in very effective ways.  Bring back the best parts of your relationship and ENJOY the love you share.  Keep the fun!

“How do we manage our home and family?” is a big question that stepfamily asks. You’ll create a vision together. You’ll end up with a comprehensive picture of how your house will run on a regular basis, and how everybody will contribute and create family in the process- even the most difficult kids.  You’ll also get very clear on your parenting roles and what you each need to do as parent and stepparent.

And last, we will deal with visitation and custodial issues.  This will help you both know how to manage transitions and expectations as well as make sure you are doing what you can to help your kids.  We’ll also tackle strategies and resources for dealing with difficult exes.

Here’s what others say:

The program works because it provides a wealth of good tools through which Stepfamilies can actually cross over to become families.
Neel

Your marriage is worth the time and effort to do the program. It is convenient. He can write it down on his calendar and make a point to call in from wherever he may be. You will learn better communication skills and possibly information that needs to be addressed. Your children will be blessed because there are ways to coach and educate you as a couple to withstand from doing damage to your children. I believe that the program has so much to offer and I would encourage any couple to say YES – Just do it!
Janice

You can’t do it yourself. And sometimes, having a different way to do it is good. The main thing is that you have to go outside of the situation to resolve the patterns. This is a good, safe harbor (and non- judgmental) to resolve some issues and get answers to your questions. We get so caught up in the day to day issues about he said/she said or your kids/my kids that we forget about our family. How to create "our" family is what all of us are looking for...
Walter

This class is definitely worth it if only for the reading materials and exercises alone. If a couple is committed to doing the work, then the material can be an excellent guide to a more harmonious course of couplehood and family.

Gail

"I feel the program has given me the tools to reconnect with my wife and my children!
I have always felt an incredible amount of love for them, I just didn't have the communication skills for these most important relationships.  I am more consistent with my message and am better able to communicate love to my family members."
--Bert

"This program helped my husband to see that rules and structure are good for a child. He definitely gained from the sessions that you had with him and he is following through with it, which is so amazing!  It was a big goal and I'm glad it was reached."
--Laura

If you have stepfamily challenges, then this could be the most important step you take.  In just 4 short weeks, you’ll know so much about stepfamilies and how to take care of yours.

Results you can expect!

• Relief in knowing there is a better and easier way.

• Support in knowing that other stepfamilies struggle with same issues

• Stable and loving atmosphere for your children, and a successful marriage model for them to see.

• Increased feelings of trust, love and passion between you and your spouse.

• Defined roles for the parent and stepparent combined with improved communication.

• More time and energy to focus on the good things in life together by eliminating many typical stepfamilies struggles.

• Reduced stress and anxiety.

• An agreed plan (between the two of you) for how to manage your home and your children...

• Improved strategies to manage disruptions caused by difficult ex-spouses and/or children.

• Confidence that your stepfamily can make it!

“Stepfamily Program Intensive”

How To Break Through Your Toughest Stepfamily Dilemmas and RESOLVE Those Frustrating Issues With Your Partner and Children …effectively… So You Can Enjoy Your Life, Be On The Same Page With

Your Partner About Your Home, Your Children and The Exes, and Create a Fabulous, Satisfying and Loving Partnership

In this 6 part series, you’ll discover:

In Session 1- Introduction to Stepfamilies

• the latest in stepfamily research
• the reassurance of stepfamily experts
• the specific areas where children need our help
• how stepfamily couples become successful
• the differences that make a difference in stepfamilies
• the ten hidden dilemmas that stepfamilies need to watch out for (that you often experience but don’t recognize how they can wreak havoc)
• how to understand and see normal family dynamics without taking it personally
• learning about your notions of family

In Sessions 2 and 3- Partnering

• the 4 negative patterns that breakup couples
• how partnering works in stepfamilies
• parenting differences between parents and stepparents
• divorce predictors specific to stepfamilies
• 10 ways to conquer the hidden dilemmas and keep your family safe
• how to create couple strength
• how to resolve disagreements and different points of view
• how to address issues that create problems in respectful and loving ways
• what financial issues matter
• viewing your schedule and couple time together
• 10 communications tools and skills for yourselves and your children

In Sessions 4 and 5: Managing your stepfamily schedules and home

• Creating a well-running family team
• Bringing family participation back
• Creating a vision for how your family will work and live together
• House rules, chores and manners
• The all important successful family dinner
• Managing positive and negative consequences with your children
• Effectively dealing with the child who argues
• Tone of voice and family communications
• Manners and intimacy
• Helping kids with structure and rules
• Learning from mistakes and excuses

Session 6- Visitation and Custody

• The one thing all biological parents must do
• Mothers and fathers and what kids need
• What makes arrivals and departures easier for you and your kids
• 12 successful practices for custodial and non-custodial parents
• 10 keys to visitation etiquette for custodial and non-custodial parents

A few things that candidates should know:

You are a good candidate if you:

• are ready to learn new skills and strategies for living in a stepfamily
• love your spouse and are committed to your partnership
• want to be an effective parent/stepparent
• feel frustrated because you have tried other programs but don’t want to give up

What if my partner will not be involved? Can I enroll by myself?

That is also okay.  Just one part of the couple knowing and understanding these concepts is huge, and can help the couple as a whole.

My partner doesn’t like touchy/feely stuff. Is that what this is?

Definitely not.  This is not therapy. It is education and coaching.  

• Men like our program because it is based on a business model of finding solutions that work and it is contained in the 6 part series.
• Women like it because creates a plan and gives them security and makes them feel safe.

 You’ll receive:

• 5  Audio Sessions and Transcription.  These one hour audios will guide you through each session of the manual.  

• Comprehensive stepfamily manual

         The extensive 100+ page stepfamily program manual in electronic form includes           stepfamily tools, information, worksheets, and resources.

• Active Fieldwork- Fieldwork helps you practice what you are learning. Specific steps, exercises and models essential for planning your family, your home and focus on those issues that are important to you and your spouse.

• Unlimited email support

         As you have questions regarding any part of the program, simply send Jayna               and email and she will be happy to guide you.

You don’t have to keep struggling, searching for answers, wait for years, or spend lots of money to find solutions and strategies for your stepfamily life.

Email Jayna@thebridgeacross.com to schedule a 20 minute appt to sign up and get started.