For Stepfamilies

As a stepmother, stepdaughter and now step-grandmother, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman has experienced the drama and reward of life in a stepfamily from multiple perspectives. For years, she struggled to parent five children from three different households. She instilled respect into her two biological sons and assumed the same respect would be honored by her husband’s children. At times, the frustration overwhelmed her. Without the support of family and friends, her marriage would have failed.

Initially, she blamed the parenting skills of her husband and his ex-wife; however, after an introspective analysis she realized that she was a contributor to the confusion and chaos. All of her heartaches, frustrations and sleepless nights were the labor pangs required to birth her passion to help others stop the stepfamily madness.

Your audience will enjoy Valerie’s proven advice including

• Top eight things every stepparent should know
• Little known ways to avoid the wicked-stepmother syndrome and win the heart of daddy’s girl
• Twelve steps to make the most of your stepfamily vacation
• The power of a parental agreement
• Five keys to avoiding stepfamily holiday blues
• 101 ways to cope with stepfamily stress
• Sifting through the murky world of child support and the IRS
• How not to disinherit your biological children in a stepfamily merger
• Managing stepfamily finances: credit, benefits, insurance and more

Valerie has great stories that will empower, inspire and encourage your audience to family restoration. Valerie has spoken / appeared on numerous shows including The Mother Love Show, NBC and Fox. Blended Families An Anthology has topped several bestsellers lists and has received rave reviews in local and national outlets.

"Step-parenting is like managing a late-night convenience store: all of the responsibility and none of the authority." - Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

To book Val, call 888.802.1802 or submit your request here.