Designing Dynamic Step Families

Designing Dynamic Stepfamilies Series includes either the Christian or the Secular Study Guide and is available in VHS or DVD format. Click here for information about the people.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Introduction & Goals" (4 min) Carri & Gordon briefly introduce themselves, others in the Series & tell the goal of the project.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Lenses of Communication" (44 min) The #1 skill in all relationships is communication - this is particularly true in the intense, committed relationship we call marriage. Carri developed "The Lenses" to show you the filters and layers that can cause communication collisions. You will hear the communication accidents & repairs from other couples as well as how to "cross the street" into another person's world.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Apples & Oranges" (16 min) First marriages are apples - subsequent marriages are oranges. In this presentation basic fundamental differences between the two will be explored that many people don't think about. The stepfamily forms backwards from the biological family. Without recognizing & preparing for these differences, the stepfamily - and those working with them - can get set up for major problems.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"The Bio-Force Meets the Weakest Link" (21 min) The most unpredictable element in stepfamily formation is relationship development. This presentation explores & literally draws out, how individuals bond & relationships develop in the stepfamily. This is also contrasted with the biological family.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Step-Discipline" (32 min) The parenting problems presented here are universal to stepfamilies where one or both bring children. Learning the important principles of stepparenting & discipline will enhance the chance for remarriage success & couple satisfaction. Other couples share their failures & successes in handling discipline.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Money & Stuff" (36 min) Every marriage has to handle money & stuff. With a remarriage this is amplified because we've accumulated assets, debts & stuff. Different models of financial management - along with the struggles & victories of other couples - are presented.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"What About Us?" (17 min) In Apples & Oranges the differences between first families and subsequent families and how stepfamilies form backwards were presented. Because the couple relationship also forms backwards, the issues facing the developing remarried couple relationship can be confusing & emotionally charged. Among the concepts presented are "reclaiming the territory" & the "tasks of remarriage."
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Stages of Stepfamily War Pt. 1" (45 min) Many remarried couples are surprised to find the stepfamily jungle a confusing & sometimes dangerous place to hang out. How to survive (by identifying the emotional landmines) & win (by dealing with them productively) is presented. This is filled with the life experiences of stepcouples & stepkids as they relate their travels through "World Peace," "Diplomatic Breakdown," and "Battle Engagement" of the development cycle.
	Click Here For Windows Media Player Click Here For QuickTime Player	"Stages of Stepfamily War Pt. 2" (49 min) The drama continues as the principles are outlined and illustrated by stepcouples & stepkids sharing their continuing journey through "Infrastructure Rebuilding" and land in the "Post War Era." "Stages..." is a must-see.

opyright 2003 Designing Dynamic Step Families.