Becoming an Adult Stepchild
Adjusting to a Parent's New Marriage
Description
For many adult stepchildren, the marriage of a parent is a complicated situation fraught with emotional difficulties as the existing family structure is reshaped through the introduction of new members and the realignment of familial roles and relationships. A parent’s marriage and the upheaval it generates can also mobilize long-buried feelings within adult stepchildren, including anger, betrayal, resentment, and a sense of deprivation.
Until now, the millions of adult stepchildren have not had a resource to help them address the psychological issues they face in this situation. Written by an expert with substantial experience in stepfamily life, Becoming an Adult Stepchild: Adjusting to a Parent's New Marriage provides invaluable advice on how to examine the underlying issues and feelings engendered by a parent’s marriage and use this knowledge to reduce the inherent tension in this situation. In a caring and supportive manner, Dr. Prilik also urges readers to take advantage of the golden opportunities hidden in their parent’s marriage, including
Dr. Prilik begins each chapter by posing a few questions on specific subjects and situations that challenge readers to examine their feelings, attitudes, and behavior toward their parent’s marriage. She then explores the underlying conflicts brought about by these particular circumstances and provides numerous vignettes to illustrate typical adult reactions to a parent’s remarriage. She also offers many suggestions on how readers can reduce the tension and acrimony that can develop during this transition.
Armed with this awareness and practical advice, adult stepchildren can build more satisfying relationships within their new family structure and use this unique opportunity for profound personal growth.
Contents
You, Your Parent, and Marriage. Introduction. Why would your parent want to marry—now? Making sense of the complex web of childhood emotions. Why you don‘t like your parent’s spouse: reasons you may not expect. Feeling discarded: when your parent no longer seems to need you. Here comes the bride: you and your parent’s wedding day. Is your parent competent to decide to marry? You, Your Parent, and Your New Stepfamily. Adding a new branch to the family tree. Family rituals: when two families’ traditions collide. My mother’s pin, my father’s watch: who gets the family heirlooms? Conclusion. Index.
About the Authors
Pearl Ketover Prilik, D.S.W., is a psychotherapist with private practices in Garden City and Lido Beach, New York. She is also a postdoctoral student in psychoanalysis at the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies in Garden City, New York.
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