Topics Covered within the workshops
Identifying stepfamily myths and realities
Developing realistic expectations
Reducing ambiguity and clarifying roles
Developing a strong couple relationship
Balancing costs and rewards in your relationship
Learning to effectively co-parent
Identifying positive step parenting styles
Learning to use effective communication
Dealing with stress and anxiety
Next Scheduled Courses
If you are interested in attending a workshop please email lisa@happysteps.co.uk and we will send you details as they are available.
Comments from recent course attendees
The following comments are taken from people who recently attended the Happy Steps workshop:
'Knowing there are other stepparents out there with similar issues and concerns is a real help.'
Karen, Ealing
'It's great to listen to and discuss issues with other stepfamilies who understand and have been part of a stepfamily for a longer time.'
Mike, Datchet
'I found Lisa's knowledge and experience of the stepparenting field invaluable to me, also exchanging views and 'hints and tips' with other stepparents has been really helpful.' Susan, Reading
'This is just a quick update to tell you how much your step parenting course that we attended in February has helped us.
I think that the children growing up and becoming more mature has also been a factor, but without your course we would still be in a muddle.
We are having more fun as a family and I am pleased to say that my husband and my youngest son are actually enjoying each other's company'.
Christina, London
When asked if they would recommend the course to others, here's what they had to say........
'Yes, definitely and at whatever stage they are at in the stepparenting cycle.'
Helen from Guildford
'Absolutely, it should be mandatory for newly formed stepfamilies.'
Paul from Stockport
'.......It offers the opportunity to learn from people who are experiencing something very similar and yet individual and different. A supportive and encouraging environment.' Emma from Slough
Results from the Pilot workshop
Participants were asked to complete detailed questionnaires both before and after they attended the course. The results from these questionnaires were then assessed. Some of the findings included:
Self Esteem is related to how you feel about yourself, how much you value yourself and your own abilities. The findings from the research showed that those who attended the course had a greater self esteem afterwards, suggesting that they had gained more confidence in their abilities and own worth.
A strong bond with your stepchildren is something that can be elusive to stepparents. The research showed that those who attended the course reported a greater bond with their stepchildren at the end of the course.
Becoming a Happy stepfamily is about being able to adapt to the different demands of stepfamily life. The course helps individuals learn how to do this and the research suggests that it is really effective in achieving this change.
Previous research has shown that stepparents can have significantly higher anxiety than biological parents, often related to worries about their relationship with their stepchildren, dealing with their partner's ex and also in understanding their role in the family. By attending the course participants can learn to cope with these pressures and subsequently reduce their anxiety.
Many stepparents find that they are resentful of their position and find their role ambiguous. The research suggested that by attending the course they are able to reduce their feelings of resentment and clarify their role in the family.
Finally, the course seemed to really help individuals learn to integrate everyone into their new family, creating a more stable and happy family unit.