Objective To understand turning points (TPs) in the development of positive stepparent–stepchild communication and relationships. Background Scholars stress the importance of communication in co‐constructing healthy stepparent–stepchild relationships. The researchers focused on positive stepparenting via understanding transformational turning point (TP) events across time. Research questions explored how stepparents with an overall positive relationship with a stepchild characterize TPs and the discursive constructions of the stepparent role. Method The team analyzed 877 pages of data from 37 in‐depth interviews with stepparents who described self‐identified TP events, reflected in visual graphs of 279 TPs. Results Data were coded into 11 TP types, focused on structural and role changes for stepparents, co‐constructed over time. The top three TP types were changes in household composition, communicating support through offering protection and being present/available, and role change, most frequently by functioning as a parent versus friend. All the TPs highlight discursive work to forge positive stepparenting roles. Conclusions The findings extend earlier studies of stepchildren's experiences and communication practices that ground resilience to manage relational resources through investments of quality time and enactment of social support. Implications Applications suggest support for stepparents to have quality interactions with stepchildren and training to develop healthy communication practices and facilitate resilience.

Metaphors provide the opportunity to make sense of our experiences and share them with others. The current research qualitatively examined interviews with adoptive parents who had adopted through intercountry or private adoptions. Throughout their interviews, each participant used at least one metaphor in describing their experiences of adopting and raising their child. Overarchingly, the metaphor of “Adoption is a journey” encapsulated parents’ experiences. To demonstrate the journey, parents used metaphors to describe the past, present, and future. Metaphors of the past focused on their child's trauma and the origin of how the child came to join their family. Metaphors used to describe the present were challenge metaphors, including child's behaviors and finding support, coping metaphors, and balance metaphors. Lastly, metaphors of the future included guiding and commitment metaphors. In addition to metaphors, parents used symbolic rituals to connect their children with their past and current family. From metaphors, we offer several practical implications for postadoption intervention. First, interventions should be developed to meet participants where they are. Second, interventions should focus on the overall picture of adoption, as parents make sense of their past experiences and their ideals about the future. Lastly, services should focus on tools, not fixes.

Objective Provision of compassionate care to infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a key component of competent critical care. Although recognized as an essential aspect of NICU care, compassionate care for infants and families in a NICU setting has been underexplored. This study defined and described compassionate care according to NICU staff. Study Design Voice-recorded, face-to-face individual interviews occurred with NICU nurses (n = 45), NICU nurse practitioners (n = 15), and neonatologists (n = 9) from two NICUs in the midwestern United States. Semantic content analysis was used. Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines were followed. Results Three dynamic and interactive qualitative themes emerged: excellent standard of intensive care, commitment, and engaged family communication. A conceptual framework entitled patient and family needs-based care was developed from the qualitative interviews. Conclusion The framework developed from this study supports the therapeutic journey of NICU infants and families by integrating a focus on compassionate personalized care within the context of keen clinical and communication skillsets that staff have gained throughout their NICU careers. Key Points

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