TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter to Editors/Producers Fact Sheet Author Bio Segment Ideas/Speaking/Interview Topics Interview Questions Speaking & Workshops Media
KORIS Publishing LLC. Dear Editor/Producer, When parents learn to replace hurt, selfishness, anger, and insecurity with problem solving, fairness, and kindness, something amazing happens. Parenting and marriage gets easier and parent-to-parent relationships become cooperative and respectful. After 4 years of extensive research assessing her own experiences and those of others, Brandi Mitchell shares the positives and negatives facing over 75 Million Americans living blended. The Blended Family Survival Guide On Getting Married With Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s! (TBFSG), serves as a reference to those involved in a relationship or entering marriage with someone who has children from a previous relationship. A product of a tri-blended family – maternal, paternal and her own marriage, Mitchell addresses the many issues and dispels the myths associated with living in “Blendedville”, a term she coined based on her reality! The Blended Family Survival Guide is not only a must-read for those considering or getting married to someone with children, but it is also perfect for single parents who are dating, stepparents, and newly married couples. TBFSG offers tools to navigate through the blended journey in preparation for success in marriage, raising healthy children, and effective parent-to-parent relationships. Insights are provided to help avoid the drama and conflict frequently experienced by estranged parents who must raise their child together, often with new spouses or significant others. A true blueprint for blended family living, The Blended Family Survival Guide On Getting Married With Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s!(KORIS Publishing) offers honest advice, invaluable tips and much needed answers to those considering or living “Life Blended!” The message of this book is that all children deserve to have the presence of both parents in their lives, and although those parents may marry others, those relationships should add value, not chaos, to the children’s lives. It is possible to have healthy marriages, secure children, and respectful parent-to-parent relationships once parents learn how to live unselfishly, be supportive, and accept responsibility for their choices. TBFSG and Brandi Mitchell show you how! Mitchell is an experienced media professional with national radio and television credits, including The FOX Morning Show. She is passionate about helping people learn how to function when parenting their children in separate homes, as well as giving people realistic expectations for marriage and relationships in “Blendedville”. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best Regards, KORIS Publishing LLC
P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 • E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
The Blended Family Survival Guide on Getting Married with Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s! New book introduces a realistic approach to getting married with children, parent-to-parent communication, and avoiding the negative outcomes of baby mama drama, emotionless stepparenting, and fatherless children. Blended families have become the new norm. More and more people are having children before marriage and the reality is that most end up marrying someone other than the parent of their child. Add to that the rising rate of divorce and remarriages and about 1300 new blended families are created in the U.S. everyday. After 4 years of extensive research assessing her own experiences and those of others, Brandi Mitchell shares the positives and negatives facing over 75 Million Americans in blended families today. A product of a tri-blended family– maternal, paternal and her own marriage, Mitchell addresses the many issues and dispels the myths associated with living in “Blendedville”, a term she coined based on her reality! The Blended Family Survival Guide On Getting Married With Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s (TBFSG) is a ready reference for people entering into marriage or dating relationships where one or both partners have children from a previous relationship. Readers also learn:
How to adjust to being an “instant parent”, and what it means to say “Yes, I Will Marry You, ALL of You” How to transition from being a single parent to married with children, create mutual respect, and a healthy relationship between your spouse and children How to keep baby mama/baby daddy drama from ruining your relationship with your children and marriage How and when to recognize when your expectations aren’t realistic, and how to dispel common myths associated with marriage and stepparenting How to prepare for your child’s future by creating a co-parenting plan with your child’s parent How to take responsibility for your actions and understand the consequences of your behavior
This book is for parents, newly married couples with children, dating adults with children, marriage or family counselors, teachers, pastors, lay ministers, high school and college students, childcare and social workers, and everyone else looking for a better way to live with the realities of blended families. Book Info: The Blended Family Survival Guide on Getting Married With Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s! KORIS Publishing LLC- 2010 - 254 pages ISBN: 978-0-615-33461-5 Retail Price: $19.95 Available at: www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com Typical Ordering Time: 7-10 Days
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
About the Author Brandi began writing as a young girl in Detroit, Michigan. In high school, she was handselected to be a part of a four-year intensive writing program through The University of Michigan, and went on to receive a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Florida A & M University. While in college, she discovered she had a natural proclivity towards beauty, so while receiving her degree in Psychology, she simultaneously studied Cosmetology. For more than fifteen years, Brandi has been a leader in the print, television, and beauty industry having worked with a number of celebrities and companies including L’Oreal Paris, BET, Radio One, Sony, TV One, FOX Network, and Turner Broadcasting. Brandi has a private consulting business, Brandi Mitchell Image Consulting, which is dedicated to guiding individuals in the discovery of their image and how to articulate their brand through their image persona. Her success, in part, she attributes to her background in psychology which allows her to understand the needs of her clients and to execute at a level that exceeds their expectations. In The Blended Family Survival Guide on Getting Married with Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s(KORIS Publishing), her goal is to again be a catalyst for change by transforming the negative images of stepparenting, marriage, and the baby mama/baby daddy phenomena. Brandi provides hope to those looking to navigate through a world becoming more blended by the day. Brandi’s endeavor to write The Blended Family Survival Guide was predicated on her own life. Having experienced life in a tri-blended family: maternal, paternal, and her own marriage, she recognized the need for a realistic and transparent manual to help the more than 75 million people who are experiencing living life blended. When Brandi married the man of her dreams he came complete with two wonderful boys who had different mothers. She inherited her new husbands’ past and present life and found herself smack in the middle of an instant family. When she and her husband had their own child together a new set of challenges presented themselves. And her blended family went to yet another level when her high school aged stepson came to live with them miles away from his biological mother. Having been through the rigors of visitation, stepparents, stepsiblings, and having a brother who shares the same father but different mother, she knows first hand what others feel - after all, she has lived in their shoes. It is the lessons learned and the solutions to the challenges that Brandi knew would be particularly critical to share with the more than 1300 new blended families formed in the United States each day. Once Brandi began writing the book, she consulted her media clients who regularly appear on Oprah, The View, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. In confidence, she asked their opinion of her book and her message. Unanimously they assured her that she had the passion, experience, and business savvy to get the book to the people who really needed it. Already experienced in owning and operating a consulting company and cosmetics line, creating a publishing company to support her new role as author seemed the natural thing to do. After countless hours of research and development, she created KORIS Publishing and made The Blended Family Survival Guide her first title. Brandi is an experienced media professional and engaging public speaker. Using the principles in her top-selling book, she holds seminars and conducts trainings for counselors, therapists, churches, and other entities that work with blended families. She also gives keynote speeches and presentations to international audiences on a variety of blended family topics, business marketing, and image development. Brandi has been happily married for thirteen years and is the mother of three boys. She resides with her family in Roswell, GA. www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
Segment Ideas/ Speaking/Interview Topics Why The Drama With The Baby Mama? Learn how to navigate away from unnecessary stress Drama associated with the baby’s mama and daddy occurs between parents when they are no longer together and one or both of them wants to make the other “pay” for their misery. When the drama occurs, one of the biggest losers is the child. She discusses:
The differences between a Baby Mama and a Single Parent How the media and society influences the everyday person and how we have become desensitized to the term The 5 Types of Baby Mamas and the scenarios that create them The 5 - Year Rule Quiz and how it can tell you a lot about the future of your relationship and potential conflict with the ex Why it is not acceptable nor flattering for a man to want you to be his baby mama, but not his wife How to go from Baby Mama to responsible single parent, or wife
I’m Leaving It All Behind, Except My Children! What Happens When One of the Parent’s Decides to Get Married? Discover how to make the transition from single to married with children Only a very small percentage of people who have children prior to marriage actually marry the father or mother of their child. Mitchell discusses the transitioning process that occurs when one of the parents decides to get married to someone other than the mother or father of their child, and provides solutions for making the children secure, and cutting the emotional ties. She discusses:
How to create security for your child in a changing environment How to cut the ties with your ex with the least amount of tension The five questions every parent should ask their potential spouse Things to expect when dealing with the ex, children, and your family How the ex can deal with the feelings that come with the finality of their child’s parent getting married
Premarital Counseling 101- What you MUST Know Before You Go Down That Aisle with Anyone! Learn how to realistically prepare for success in marriage Marriage is more optional in the United States than it has ever been, and statistics show that 50 percent of all marriages will end in divorce. Mitchell discusses the misconceptions of married life, and helps to prepare you for the journey. Mitchell believes that by improving yourself first, and taking a true inventory of your expectations of marriage, you can build a marriage that will last and that you both will enjoy. Learn:
Preparing mentally for a long lasting marriage verses the glitz and glamour of of physically “getting married” How to determine if you are evenly yoked with your potential spouse, and if you both are on the same page so you can have longevity in your marriage How to discover your ideas of marriage and love, and determine your expectations How to get your yourself prepared to be a good catch for someone else The 20 invaluable tips for a happy, long-lasting, healthy marriage
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com
Segment Ideas / Speaking/Interview Topics Yes I Will Marry You, All of You! And the Two Shall Become One, but In Some Cases One with a Little Extra! It is possible to achieve balance in both your new marriage and in your new blended family. Mitchell will discuss what the spouse will need to be aware of prior to marriage to assure they are up for the challenge and not entering blindly, or wearing rose-colored glasses. Learn:
Understanding your role as an instant parent “I love you, and I like your Kids?” How you must embrace your new family Six reality checks for the spouse getting married to someone with children How having multiple children from different relationships adds other scenarios How to be understanding and selfless without losing yourself
What Did You Call Me? How to Avoid Conflict and Take the High Road in Dealing With the Other Parent Developing methods for handling conflict in parent-to-parent relationships, with exs, and spouses The ultimate root of conflict happens when you perceive something or someone as a threat to some area of your well being (physical, emotional, power, status, etc.).When dealing with the parents of a child in any blended family, some conflict is inevitable and should be expected. Situations will naturally arise when all of the parties attempt to raise their child in separate households while having to learn to relate and respect each other collaboratively. She discusses:
How to identify and handle potential conflicts Potential reasons for conflict by individual role Tips for spouses on handling conflict Tips for the ex, and how to handle conflict and misplaced feelings
Stepparenting, Nuff Said. One in three Americans is now a stepparent, a stepchild, a stepsibling, or some other member of a stepfamily Contrary to popular belief, all stepmothers aren’t wicked, and all stepdads aren’t hard-drinking, abusive men as they are sometimes portrayed. What is true, however, is that stepfamilies are a result of the dissolution of a family relationship where one or both parents at some point enter a new marriage. While parenting itself is a hard job, stepparenting can prove to be very difficult. Mitchell shows ways of creating a respectful relationship, and what to expect as a stepparent. Learn:
How to navigate your life with raising children in separate households Reality checks for the new stepparent Strategies for building trust, knowing boundaries, and providing support How the biological parent can help the stepparent adjust to the new relationship
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
Segment Ideas / Speaking/ Interview Topics I Said “I Do” Before, It Didn’t, and Now, I’m Considering Saying It Again, Except We Both Have Children. Help!” How to successfully blend two families under one roof There are now more combinations of blended families than there are of traditional nuclear families. From individuals that divorce, to couples who were never married, the term “blended” covers a lot of territory. Learn:
The nine steps for blended family success How to honestly examine why your other relationship failed to avoid duplicating the same behaviors How to combine and be respectful of each others parenting styles How to introduce and get acquainted with your potential mates children How to define and support each other in your new roles
Imagine That! Cooperative Parenting How to develop a cooperative parenting plan that will allow your child to succeed As parents and their new spouses settle into their lives, there will be more opportunities for communication without contention. Everyone can focus their energy to raise the child together yet in separate houses. Mitchell shows you how you can develop a cooperative parenting plan to equip your child with the tools to succeed. She discusses:
The benefits of a parenting plan Tips for conducting successful co-parenting meetings How to develop your parenting plan How to keep your feelings separate from having effective communication with the other parent(s) and decisions involving your children
Additional speaking and workshop topics from the book are available upon request Choices: Finding Out What’s Behind Door #1 Child Custody: A Child is Born, But Where Do They Live? The Weekend Lover: Visitation Revealed Hi, My Name is Child Support and I’d like to Introduce You to My Friend Of the Court When Good Dads Get Bad Raps – Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned And Baby Makes 4? A New Baby, What Now? Telling The Kids
Speaking and workshop topics are also developed based on client’s requests and specific needs.
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
Suggested Interview Questions 1. How does a parent make the transition from single parent to married with children? 2. What is the 5-Year Rule as it regards to those parents getting married with children? 3. What are the five questions every parent should ask their potential spouse before marriage? 4. What are the six reality checks for the spouse getting married to someone with children? 5. What are the 5 types of baby mamas you talk about in your book? 6. What can people do to prepare mentally for a long-lasting marriage verses being consumed by the glitz and glamour of physically “getting married”? 7. What’s wrong with calling the parent of your child a baby mama or baby daddy? 8. How can someone with no children, who is going to be a stepparent, prepare for becoming an instant parent? 9. You talk about a term called Life Choices in which a single choice, such as having sex with someone, could result in a pregnancy, which affects your entire life. Could you elaborate more or the impact of this Life Choice on both the male and the female’s life? 10. How can you maximize visitation time for the parent who does not have custody, and how important is consistent visitation with the non-custodial parent? 11. How can a person seeking to get married make themselves marriage material? 12. What are some of the emotional games that fathers who are denied visitation encounter? 13. How do you feel the media has influenced the baby mama/baby daddy trend? 14. If getting remarried, or coming out of a past relationship, how can you determine why your other relationship(s) failed so you can avoid duplicating the same behaviors in your new relationship? 15. When do you know its time to introduce your children to your potential mate or boyfriend/girlfriend? 16. How does a persons expectations and belief of marriage and love affect their own marriage? 17. How can the parent who is getting married cut emotional ties with their ex with the least amount of tension? 18. What are the biggest triggers for conflict between the parent and their ex? 19. What are some of the biggest misconceptions stepparents have of building relationships with their stepchildren? 20. What are some of the feelings of the couple expecting their first child together? 21. Can you tell us the benefits of a parenting plan? Brandi Mitchell is an author, national speaker, workshop leader, image consultant and an expert on blended families. She is the author of The Blended Family Survival Guide on Getting Married with Children, Yours or Somebody Else’s (KORIS Publishing, 2010). Mitchell has been an image consultant for more than 15 years. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
Speaking and Workshops Transforming the lives of her audience Charismatic, Passionate and Genuine are words used to describe Brandi and her approach to delivering effective, thought provoking, informative messages about creating healthy relationships in blended families, preparing for a long-lasting marriage, and creating realistic expectations in stepparenting. She captures and holds her audiences with passion, real life examples, and her transparency, using both her own life experiences and research-based knowledge and application to provide solutions to newly married couples, dating adults, stepparents, divorcees, and single parents. Brandi, who was a child in a blended family and the instant stepmother of two children (both with different mothers), freely shares her experiences and lessons in an effort to connect with people and point them to hope, restoration, and growth in their blended family relationships. Through Brandi’s messages participants learn what to realistically expect as a part of a blended family by exploring both the positives and challenging moments, thereby providing solutions and direction in their marriage and relationships. Brandi offers: Speaking Workshops Book signings Book discussion groups
Speaking, workshop and discussion topics include “Yes, I Will Marry You ALL of You”. And the Two Shall Become One, but In Some Cases One with a Little Extra! Ending and Understanding the Drama with the Baby Mama Pre-Marital Counseling 101: What you MUST Know Before You Go Down That Aisle with Anyone! I’m Leaving It All Behind, Except My Children! What Happens When One of the Parent’s Decides to Get Married? What Did You Call Me? How to Avoid Conflict and Take the High Road in Dealing With the Other Parent Audiences and clients include Women’s organizations Parent organizations Faith-based organizations Community groups Book clubs High Schools and Colleges Counselors Human services professionals Psychologists/psychiatrists Content, lengths and messages are tailored for the audience addressed. Typical keynote addresses are 45-60 minutes, and workshops are approximately 1-3 hours, depending on need. To book Brandi for speaking, workshops, or book group discussions, please contact KORIS Publishing at 404-444-4570 or booking@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com To learn more about Brandi’s work, visit www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com and www.BrandiMitchell.com
Media Brandi Mitchell is available for media interviews. To schedule an interview with Brandi, please contact KORIS Publishing at 404.444.4570. To view Brandi in the media, visit www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com. Potential Media Interview Topics: For Those Considering Marrying or Dating Someone With Children “Yes I Will Marry You, ALL of you”. What to Expect When You Marrying Someone with Children, and Your New Role as An Instant Parent Stepparenting, Nuff Said. Understanding and Alleviating the Drama With the Baby Mama “I’m Leaving It All Behind Except My Children”. What Happens When One of the Parent’s Decides to Get Married? Pre-Marriage: For Engaged Couples Pre-Marital Counseling 101: What You MUST Know Before You Go Down That Aisle with Anyone! “I’m Leaving It All Behind Except My Children”. What Happens When One of the Parent’s Decides to Get Married? “Yes I Will Marry You, ALL Of You”. What to Expect When You Marrying Someone with Children, and Your New Role as An Instant Parent Stepparenting, Nuff Said. Understanding and Alleviating the Drama with the Baby Mama Marriage: For Newly Weds Couples Stepparenting, Nuff Said. Understanding and Alleviating the Drama With the Baby Mama What Did You Call Me? How To Avoid Conflict and Take the High Road Parenting in Two Households Imagine That! Cooperative Parenting What Did You Call Me? How To Avoid Conflict and Take the High Road Stepparenting, Nuff Said. Understanding and Alleviating the Drama with the Baby Mama Remarriage/Divorcees I Said “I Do” Before, It Didn’t, and Now, I’m Considering Saying It Again, Except We Both Have Children. Help!”
Teens/College Students
Choices: What’s Behind Door #1? “I Can Be Your Baby Mama, “But Not Your Wife?” Unacceptable.
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com
Testimonials & Endorsements “ This book is a must read, and long overdue. Brandi is our Dr. Phil for Blended Families ” Ramona Prater, Radio Personality and Author, The F'Club Radio Show, 1200 AM WCHB, Kiss FM 105.9 Radio One "Mrs. Brandi Mitchell has given the literary world a much needed insight and blueprint into the world of the "Blended Family"! I was forever moved by this book's willingness to put it all on the table in order to talk about a once taboo subject!" Author/Speaker D.K. Garrison "The New Kind of Normal" “The Blended Family Survival Guide is a timely response to the multifactorial challenges surrounding a blended family. It is a "treasure chest" full of encouragement for blended families who want to dramatically improve their relationship in the home. Highly recommended! Dr. Cortney K. Ball, Orlando, FL “Many of life’s experiences occur by happenstance. Brandi has captured the essence of how to manage the potential challenges a blended family can bring. If you are in a blended family, or thinking about being a part of one this is a must read!” Dr. Lynne Cage, Cage EduTRAINment Group, Principal “Brandi Mitchell provides simple, direct and immediately applicable suggestions for the blended family. Her honesty, wisdom and heartfelt guidance come together to create a ‘guide’ that will definitely enhance a family’s journey on becoming one.” Pastor Kelly Lane, Dunamis Outreach Ministries “ Blended families, though not the original plan of God, are very much a fabric of the Body of Christ, and make up a substantial portion of this generations church. Let’s face it, divorce happens, and blended families are often a byproduct. But with the transparency of Brandi and her husband Curtis’s life through The Blended Family Survival Guide, she has blazed a trail and cast an indelible light on how to overcome the struggles, without sacrificing the children and all parties involved. This is a very clear and concise how-to, quick reference, autobiography, and study guide on the mechanics of navigating those issues found in blended families. It’s good to have a resource that is a result of people that have gone through and are still going through the journey, and something that we all can identify with. Use this tool! It will absolutely bless your life.” R. Christopher & Tanisha Prater, Facilitators, Married for Ever. "BRANDI! BRANDI! BRANDI!! I just finished your book and all I can say is "WOW"!! I loved how real the book is! It TRULY is a "Survival Guide"... I felt like I was studying! It's all highlighted with my favorite parts (even has my notes) and I will DEFINITELY go back to it for advice going forward!! CONGRATS this is an awesome book!!!!." Linette Pabon, soon-to-be bride and single parent “As an image consultant Brandi uses her brushes to transform the physical image. As an author she uses her pen to transform the hopes, lives and realities of millions of men, women and children living life blended. This work is timely, spiritual and powerful.” Reneé V. Wallace, Doers Consulting Alliance, Organizer & Implementer
www.theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com • www.brandimitchell.com KORIS Publishing LLC P.O. Box 1151, Roswell, GA 30077 • Voice (404) 444-4570 E-mail: info@theblendedfamilysurvivalguide.com