Laurie Polich Short

Cover

Endorsements

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Welcome to the Pool

2. Party of Two—Plus One (or Two or Three…)

3. Making Room

4. The Weight of Influence

5. The Inside Job of Stepparenting

6. When Unfair Is Okay

7. Finding Perspective

8. Advice from the Trenches

9. Stories of Hope

10. A Conversation with My Stepson

Notes

About the Author

There Is Hope for Every Child, Every Parent, and Every Family

About the Publisher

Stepparenting Is Hard…but It Can Also Be Richly Rewarding

Stepparenting can sometimes feel like an overwhelming and thankless challenge. Loving and caring for children who aren’t biologically yours means having to earn trust, establish authority, and often put your own needs aside in favor of your stepchild’s well-being or a birth parent’s wishes.

But here’s the good news: With some expert guidance and God’s help, you can have tremendous influence in your stepchild’s life and grow in your faith along the way.

Seasoned stepmom Laurie Polich Short understands and empathizes with the difficult job you face. Drawing on extensive research, biblical teaching, and her own real-life experience (including an insightful chapter cowritten with her stepson, Jordan), Laurie provides practical and spiritual advice to help you fully embrace and succeed in your role as stepparent.

Whether you are about to become a stepparent or are further along on your journey, this compassionate and insightful resource offers the hope, help, and encouragement you’ve been looking for.

__Laurie Polich Short__ is an author, speaker, preacher, and stepmother. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, Laurie has been featured on PBS and Focus on the Family, and her popular teaching videos on RightNow Media minister to people worldwide. Laurie lives in Southern California with her husband, Jere, and stepson, Jordan. www.laurieshort.com

__Stepparenting Is Hard…but It Can Also Be Richly Rewarding__

Stepparenting can sometimes feel like an overwhelming and thankless challenge. Loving and caring for children who aren't biologically yours means having to earn trust, establish authority, and often put your own needs aside in favor of your stepchild's well-being or a birth parent's wishes.

But here's the good news: With some expert guidance and God's help, you can have tremendous influence in your stepchild's life and grow in your faith along the way.

Seasoned stepmom Laurie Polich Short understands and empathizes with the difficult job you face. Drawing on extensive research, biblical teaching, and her own real-life experience (including an insightful chapter cowritten with her stepson, Jordan), Laurie provides practical and spiritual advice to help you fully embrace and succeed in your role as stepparent.

Whether you are about to become a stepparent or are further along on your journey, this compassionate and insightful resource offers the hope, help, and encouragement you've been looking for.

"This book is a grace-filled gift. In blended families, possessiveness divides while grace connects. Reading Grace-filled Stepparenting feels like sitting with a wise friend who is gently leading you through the unknown into connection. Laurie Polich Short will help you find grace for your home."  
__—Ron Deal, bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily, coauthor of Building Love Together in Blended Families, and director of FamilyLife Blended®__

"This book is filled with hope and practical wisdom by a woman who has lived out these principles in her own journey. I've known Laurie most of her adult life, and I find her, like this book, refreshingly authentic. She is a wonderful communicator and a great storyteller with truth and lots of grace."  
__—Jim Burns, president, HomeWord, author of The Purity Code and Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out__

"Laurie has been an insightful writer on difficult topics. There is none more difficult than stepparenting, and this grace-filled book will help anyone turn what can be a nightmare into a great blessing."  
__—Steve Arterburn, bestselling author, host of New Life Live!, and founder of the Women of Faith conferences__

"With 40 percent of all families being stepfamilies, this book brings needed hope! It's not only an amazing resource for stepparents—every church and minister should have it in their library as the go-to resource for this growing community of struggling and searching-for-help parents. I've known and worked with Laurie for many years, and her experience and wisdom as a stepmom make this book a must-read for anyone trying to navigate this challenging road with grace."  
__—Doug Fields, author, youth pastor, and founder of Downloadyouthministry.com__

"Laurie Short has written a book filled with practical help and hope for stepparents. Every stepmom and stepdad will find a wealth of encouragement in these pages. Grace-Filled Stepparenting shows you how to keep loving your kids—no matter how long it takes or how thick the emotional walls may seem."  
__—Drs. Les &amp; Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts__

"Laurie Polich Short has done an excellent job of weaving her stepfamily's story into a resource that contains deep biblical wisdom and compassion. With a humble heart, Laurie explores how acts of kindness and daily tenacity—even in complex and challenging situations—can lead to victory."  
__—Laura Petherbridge, international speaker, stepmom, and author of The Smart Stepmom (with Ron Deal) and When I Do Becomes I Don't__

"This book is a grace-filled gift. In blended families, possessiveness divides while grace connects. Reading Grace-filled Stepparenting feels like sitting with a wise friend who is gently leading you through the unknown into connection. Laurie Polich Short will help you find grace for your home."  
__—Ron Deal, bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily, coauthor of Building Love Together in Blended Families, and director of FamilyLife Blended®__

"This book is filled with hope and practical wisdom by a woman who has lived out these principles in her own journey. I've known Laurie most of her adult life, and I find her, like this book, refreshingly authentic. She is a wonderful communicator and a great storyteller with truth and lots of grace."  
__—Jim Burns, president, HomeWord, author of The Purity Code and Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out__

"Laurie has been an insightful writer on difficult topics. There is none more difficult than stepparenting, and this grace-filled book will help anyone turn what can be a nightmare into a great blessing."  
__—Steve Arterburn, bestselling author, host of New Life Live!, and founder of the Women of Faith conferences__

"With 40 percent of all families being stepfamilies, this book brings needed hope! It's not only an amazing resource for stepparents—every church and minister should have it in their library as the go-to resource for this growing community of struggling and searching-for-help parents. I've known and worked with Laurie for many years, and her experience and wisdom as a stepmom make this book a must-read for anyone trying to navigate this challenging road with grace."  
__—Doug Fields, author, youth pastor, and founder of Downloadyouthministry.com__

"Laurie Short has written a book filled with practical help and hope for stepparents. Every stepmom and stepdad will find a wealth of encouragement in these pages. Grace-Filled Stepparenting shows you how to keep loving your kids—no matter how long it takes or how thick the emotional walls may seem."  
__—Drs. Les &amp; Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts__

"Laurie Polich Short has done an excellent job of weaving her stepfamily's story into a resource that contains deep biblical wisdom and compassion. With a humble heart, Laurie explores how acts of kindness and daily tenacity—even in complex and challenging situations—can lead to victory."  
__—Laura Petherbridge, international speaker, stepmom, and author of The Smart Stepmom (with Ron Deal) and When I Do Becomes I Don't__

Backed by research, biblical teaching, and real-life experience, Grace-Filled Stepparenting provides practical and spiritual advice to help you fully embrace and succeed in your role as stepparent. You can make a big difference in your stepchild's life.

"Grace-Filled Stepparenting" by Laurie Polich Short offers practical and spiritual advice for stepparents. It includes research, biblical teachings, and personal insights for guidance and support.

\["For stepparents seeking support and encouragement", "Helps navigate the challenges of stepparenting", "You will build trust and strengthen your family bond"\]

Grace-Filled Stepparenting offers guidance for thriving in your role.

Grace-Filled Stepparenting

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Grace-Filled Stepparenting

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