RECEIVE TWO FREE STEPFAMILY BOOKS IN FEBRUARY, 2012.

Start your stepfamily new year  by making a counseling appointment at the CENTER FOR STEPFAMILY DEVELOPMENT for February 2012.  Learn how to become a successful stepfamily with support, education and information from THE CENTER FOR STEPFAMILY DEVELOPMENT  in Boise.  You will also receive two free stepfamily books at your first February appointment; DEDICATED DADS; STEPFATHERS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE and the companion book, WARM AND WONDERFUL STEPMOTHERS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE.    Each book is valued at $20.00, a $40.00 gift to you from the CENTER FOR STEPFAMILY DEVELOPMENT.  These two books have stories that will help you understand your stepparent role in a different light.  There is more information about these two books under our "book" category on this website. 

 Besides the gift of these beautiful hardbound books, the Center also has different stepfamily handouts offering information on many different topics; (ie) custody, parental conflict, ways to develop strong marriages; helping stepchildren adjust to their new stepfamily, helping children move between two homes, how to be an encouraging, caring stepparent, stepmother do's and don'ts,  and many other stepfamily topics. 

 Make your appointment now, by either calling 322-2908 or email center@stepfamilyhelp.com.  Our office is located at 5460 Franklin Rd. Suite "F" in Boise.

 NURTURE YOUR COUPLE RELATIONSHIP

Ah, the doldrums of winter may be interfering with your healthy marriage.  If so, check out the following ways to nurture your couple relationship.  Marriage and couple research notes that working, loving, caring, successful marriages set the tone for a high score on your daily happiness score.  So, if you are feeling like your marriage is not what you want it to be, consider........

1.   Laughing together.  Research clearly demonstrates the more laughter in our lives, the happier and healthier we are.   Take in a movie that is a comedy, rent a movie comedy, read funny stories to each other....take a walk down memory lane with funny events in your life.

2.  Hold hands and hug alone or in front of others.  Set a high standard of what marriage looks like for your children; hug, hold hands, sit close toether...hug the children, also.  We need lots of hugs during the day to be happy and healthy.

3.  Thank your husband or wife for all they do for your family.  Too often we don't appreciate the efforts our spouse/significant other makes to keep our family happy and healthy.  Thank the children, also, when they do something right.

4.  Commit a designated time daily or weekly to be together (without kids).  Research indicates many relationships could be saved and could definitely be enhanced by spending only an additional half hour together each week!!!!!  Startling news?  I think not.  Many times our extra time is spent criticizing and being negative towards our partners. 

5.  Find leisure activities you both enjoy.  Walking, bike riding, movies./.....cooking, fun time with your spouse or significant other.

6.  Plan a date.  Take turns planning a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly date.  Your relationship will be soaring to new heights with this idea.

7.  Look for opportunities to communicate together daily.  Little notes, phone calls, emails....TAKE THE TIME to say "hi" or "Just thinking about you."

8.  Reminisce about when you met, when you dated, and most important, what you love and like about each other.  Who doesn't want to hear on a regular basis why your spouse married YOU?

9.  Have fun together....be playful and silly sometimes.  Laughter is good for a marriage.

10. Share household responsibilities together.  Remember, you are in a marriage partnership.  While this doesn't always mean 50-50,  you both live in the home together.  Make sure children have age appropriate responsibilities, also.  Your marriage and family life will become stronger with a partnership.

11.  Pray together.

12.  Learn better ways to communicate your wants, needs and desires to your partner.  Your tone of voice and body language, plus the language you use will make a difference in your communication.