Ron L. Deal - Preparing to Blend: The Couples Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily

Preparing to Blend is a kind and helpful guide for families who are merging two households into one. Ron Deal provides such valuable wisdom on this topic few are talking about, but many are in desperate need of. What a gift this book will be to all couples who want to navigate well and learn to thrive as a stepfamily.

Lysa TerKeurst, #1 New York Times bestselling author; president, Proverbs 31 Ministries

As you contemplate creating a blended family, reading and discussing Preparing to Blend is one of the best ways to prepare for success in creating the blended family that you envision.

Gary Chapman, PhD, author, The 5 Love Languages

There is absolutely no one better than Ron Deal to help blended families. No one. This resource is a critical tool in helping a couple prepare for their future together and the future of their blended family. Do the critical work now and your kids will thank you later.

Dave and Ann Wilson, co-hosts, FamilyLife Today

Ron L. Deal has provided parents and family members with a hope- filled, practical, timely, and insightful resource in Preparing to Blend .

Dr. Tim Clinton, president, American Association of Christian Counselors; executive director, James Dobson Family Institute

This beautifully written book is an extraordinary gift to stepfamilies and to those who want to help them. Ron Deal brings decades of experience, deep compassion, profound wisdom, and step-by-step practical guidance to forging a unity of heart for stepcouples and children journeying through the complexities of becoming a blended family.

Dr. Patricia L. Papernow, author, Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships and The Stepfamily Handbook

I view Ron as the leading expert in the world of stepfamily issues. He brings his years of knowledge in the field to this most helpful book. I love it and will recommend it to anyone preparing to blend.

Jim Burns, PhD, president, HomeWord; author, Getting Ready for Marriage and Doing Life with Your Adult Children

Most premarital preparation doesnt foster the needed dialogue to prepare for blending families. But now, Preparing to Blend gives couples a roadmap they didnt know they wanted! Ron gifts us with a one-of-a-kind resource from a deep, practical well of decades of focused work counseling blended families and biblical expertise.

David Robbins, president and CEO, FamilyLife

Ron Deal is a recognized expert on blended families; Preparing to Blend will equip you to face your future together and blend your family well. Its also a great guide for leaders wanting to offer effective pre-stepfamily counseling. I highly recommend it.

Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher; bestselling author, For Women Only , For Parents Only, and Thriving in Love & Money

What are the practices and considerations couples should prioritize as they prepare for remarriage? Ron Deal is a foremost authority on blended families, and he has written an indispensable manual for engaged couples who want to successfully blend their two families.

Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family

I thank God for Ron Deal! His advice is so practical, real to life, wise, and helpful. This will be my go-to book to give to couples who are about to blend their families.

Gary Thomas, author, Sacred Marriage and Sacred Parenting

Many books on blended families focus more on helping parents and minimize childrens needs. Preparing to Blend boldly dives deeper into the struggles of family members. This is a powerful, effective, and easy-to-follow roadmap for every blended family. If you want a healthy and strong blended family, Preparing to Blend is a must-read.

Meg Meeker, MD, bestselling author, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

Ron Deals expert voice and years of experience provide a travel guide of wisdom through the issues of blending a family, such as what to expect, why its different, how to handle unhappy kids, setting boundaries, the former spouse, jealousy, discipline, bonding, loyalty, and other issues that can cause conflict. Preparing to Blend is a must-read for blending couples, extended family, pastors, and therapists. I highly recommend this resource.

Laura Petherbridge, speaker, author

Ron Deal has studied and assisted stepfamilies for decades and knows more about them than anyone ministering to them today. Preparing to Blend needs to be required reading for any two people wanting to marry and blend their families.

Steve Arterburn, bestselling author and founder of New Life Live

If you want to prepare yourself adequately to blend a family, read this book. Ron Deal has identified relational dynamics and everyday scenarios of stepcouples that prepare you for the road ahead and how to navigate it. Whether your kids are young, teenagers, or adults, this book is for you.

Gayla Grace, staff writer for FamilyLife; author, Stepparenting with Grace

Preparing to Blend is Ron Deals crowning jewel! Packed with practical application for couples entering the stepfamily journey! Youll be delighted as a pastor, counselor, or one who is remarrying to heed the guidance in these pages. Knowing how to navigate the pain one has come from increases the success of remarriage legacy.

Gil Stuart, MA, LCHMC, and Brenda Stuart, CTC, coauthors, Restored and Remarried

Every couple who is preparing for married life in the proverbial blender needs all the help they can get. And Ron Deal is the expert on the topic. He writes with knowledge, compassion, and a wealth of practical insight. Well be recommending this book for many years.

Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times bestselling authors, Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts

From Bethany House Publishers

101 Tips for the Smart Stepmom (Laura Petherbridge)

Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily (Ron L. Deal with Dianne Neal Matthews)

Dating and the Single Parent (Ron L. Deal)

Preparing to Blend (Ron L. Deal)

The Smart Stepdad (Ron L. Deal)

The Smart Stepfamily (Ron L. Deal)

The Smart Stepfamily DVD (Ron L. Deal)

The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning (Ron L. Deal, Greg S. Pettys, and David O. Edwards)

The Smart Stepfamily Participants Guide (Ron L. Deal)

The Smart Stepfamily Marriage (Ron L. Deal and David H. Olson)

The Smart Stepmom (Ron L. Deal and Laura Petherbridge)

In Their Shoes (Lauren Reitsema)

From Other Publishers

Building Love Together in Blended Families (Ron L. Deal and Gary Chapman, Northfield Publishing)

Life in a Blender (booklet for kids) (Ron L. Deal, FamilyLife Publishing)

The Smart Stepfamily Marriage Small-Group Study Guide (Ron L. Deal, FamilyLife Publishing)