Tag: outsider syndrome

Inside the April 2017 Issue

Stepmom Magazine April 2017

The April 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

This month we’re talking about:

→ How to connect with your stepkids by speaking their “Love Language”
→ Tips for handling stepfamily events (like birthdays, graduations & weddings)
→ What you can do to overcome resentment and be happier!
→ Creative ways to get the kids excited about your wedding plans
→ How to navigate your stepchild’s loyalty binds
→ Creating new traditions for today’s stepfamilies
→ And more! Continue reading “Inside the April 2017 Issue”

Stepfamily Special Events: Inside the April 2017 Issue

Stepfamily Special EventsSpecial Event Survival Guide for Stepmoms: Advice for Managing Life’s Milestones With Dignity and Class By Brenda Snyder, LCSW

Before I became a stepmom, Spring was my favorite season. Tulips. Freshly-tilled earth awaiting farmers’ attention. Robins. Thunderstorms rolling in. The passing of cold Winter months and the anticipation of warm Summer days beckoned. And I willingly answered! Continue reading “Stepfamily Special Events: Inside the April 2017 Issue”

Stepfamily Loyalty Binds: Inside the April 2017 Issue

Stepfamily Loyalty BindsThe Ties That Bind: How to Navigate Loyalty Conflicts in Stepfamilies By Heather Hetchler, MA

A few weeks ago, I received a frantic call from a stepmom. We met the next day for coffee.

Through shouts of anger and a flood of tears, she shared her hurting heart. It was visible that Debbie was in deep pain. She’s been Sarah’s stepmom for the past 10 years and has physically and emotionally taken on the role of “Mom,” as Sarah’s biological mother floats in and out of her life. Continue reading “Stepfamily Loyalty Binds: Inside the April 2017 Issue”

Inside the March 2017 Issue

StepMom Magazine March 2017 Issue

The March 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

This month we’re talking about:

→ His “crazy ex” and why she acts that way
→ The 6 mistakes almost every stepmom makes
→ How to recognize the signs of Parental Alienation
→ Why all stepcouples need a grownup vacation (and how to get one)
→ What to do if not being his “first” really bugs you
→ Why stepdads really do have it easier
→ And more! Continue reading “Inside the March 2017 Issue”

Not Being His First: Special Report with Jayne Nicoletti

Not sharing certain milestone events with your partner—like marriage and parenthood—can hurt. Jayne Nicoletti, asks stepmoms: How do you handle your feelings on not being his first? Watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

WANT MORE ON THIS TOPIC? Don’t miss “Stepmoms Cutting in Line: Is It Possible to Get Over Not Being His First?” by Christina Roach, LMHC, inside the March 2017 issue.

 

Inside the February 2017 Issue

StepMom Magazine February 2017 Cover
The February 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

→ Advice for stepmoms who feel shunned by their stepkids
→ Tips for dealing with the ebb and flow of stepfamily life
→ How to keep the passion alive in your relationship
→ Creative ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day
→ How shifting your perspective can make you happier
→ What it’s like when child support ends
→ And much more!
Continue reading “Inside the February 2017 Issue”

Inside the January 2017 Issue

Stepmom January 2017
The January 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

→ Why Stepcouples Must Present a United Front
→ 4 Rules for Ditching Anger and Negativity
→ Protecting Your Assets During Your Stepkids’ Teen Years
→ Teaching Your Stepkids to Respect Personal Boundaries
→ 6 Ways to Combat Loneliness in Stepfamily Land
→ 10 Tips to Make 2017 a Banner Year
→ And much more!
Continue reading “Inside the January 2017 Issue”

Inside the December 2016 Issue

StepMom Magazine December 2016

The December 2016 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

→ The Year’s Best Expert Stepmom Tips & Advice
→ Learn How to Help Your Partner Be a Better Dad
→ What You Need to Know About (Step)Family Traditions
→ Power Posing: Body Language Techniques for Stepmoms
→ When The Kids Aren’t Coming Home for the Holidays
→ Why You Can Stop Trying to Make Things “Fair” for The Kids
→ And much more!
Continue reading “Inside the December 2016 Issue”

Stepfamily Traditions: Inside the December 2016 Issue

Stepfamily TraditionsBring on the Holidays, Stepmom! Ways to Thrive as Your Family Merges Its Traditions by Brenda Snyder, LCSW

Whether you welcome the cooling temperatures or dread them, the change of seasons signals the time period most fraught with emotion by many stepmoms—the holidays.

Stepmoms new to their families might be filled with expectation and excitement while stepmoms with painful holiday memories might meet the festivities with dread and despair. Wherever you find yourself on the spectrum, insight and planning ahead can give you the best chance of a time filled with celebration and good will. Continue reading “Stepfamily Traditions: Inside the December 2016 Issue”

Stepmoms and Widowers: In the September 2016 Issue

Stepmoms and WidowersMarried to a Widower: Valuable Advice From Stepmoms Who’ve Been There by Claudette Chenevert

Stepfamilies are not created equally. We know this from reading one another’s forum posts, seeking out blogs and listening to one another’s stories. The challenges we face are as complex as our families themselves.

One type of stepfamily dynamic we don’t seem to talk or hear enough about is being married to a former widower. According to The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, which is a ranking of events and their impact on our ability to readjust socially, the death of a spouse holds the No. 1 spot as a stressor in people’s lives. Continue reading “Stepmoms and Widowers: In the September 2016 Issue”