- 10 – 15 adults per group (no children) – size is large enough to be diverse, small enough for all to “get in the game”
- Parents and step-parents participate on same call so each can hear the other’s perspective
- Cohort group (i.e. membership is ‘closed’ for a particular call series)
- Start with a basic “5-pack” – where a group commits to participating in 5 calls. If a call is missed, they will have access to a recording of the call (these recordings could be saved as archives and available long-term).
- Ask members to listen to a pre-recorded “orientation” so they understand what the calls are all about, and come with an empowering context
- Calls occur weekly; 45 minutes per call (feels more do-able than an hour and is likely to leave people wanting more, which is a good thing!)
- Each call is framed by a specific topic, such as “Your New Role,” “The Loyalty Tug,” “Angst Among Moms (biological and step),” “How to Listen and Talk to Each Other” (may start with the listening/talking topic – sets the stage for the call series and applies to all situations/topics)
- Call #5 focuses on where to go from here and could include meeting as a group face-to-face (for those in same geographic area), family volunteering.
