Category: Sample Articles

Stepmoms and Rejection: Inside the October 2016 Issue

Stepmom RejectionStepmoms and Rejection: 5 Ways to Deal When You’ve Been Dissed by Mary T. Kelly, MA

Do any—or all—of these complaints ring a bell for you? They will if you suspect that the stepkids are none too thrilled with you:

⊲ “I’ve never felt so disliked or unwelcomed.”
⊲ “His ex hates me. Now? His kids hate me, too.”
⊲ “His kids were never warm, friendly or kind—despite my efforts.”
⊲ “My stepdaughter and I were close. She turned 13 and it all went sour.”
⊲ “My stepkids loved me before I moved in. They took a 180-degree turn after I unpacked my bags.” Continue reading “Stepmoms and Rejection: Inside the October 2016 Issue”

Stepfamily Secrets: Inside the October 2016 Issue

Stepfamily SecretsIs Your Stepfamily Lying to You? The Secrets Stepkids, Partners and Exes Keep by Claudette Chenevert

Many stepmoms get frustrated when their stepkids lie about one thing or another. The lies can be major, in an attempt to gloss over breaking curfew, doing drugs, drinking alcohol or stealing. They also can be a series of small lies related to homework, chores or anything else imaginable.

One of the reasons stepmoms seek my help is to deal with such situations. They’re simply not sure of how to handle lying—whether it’s their stepkids fibbing, their partners routinely omitting key information or the exes in their lives embellishing on reality until it’s unrecognizable. Continue reading “Stepfamily Secrets: Inside the October 2016 Issue”

Stepmom Advice: Inside the October 2016 Issue

Stepmom AdviceHit Rock Bottom, Stepmom? Pick Yourself Up and Move Your Family Forward in 4 Steps by Amy Bellows, PhD

I grew up in a stepfamily and had played the role of stepmom once before. Going into my remarriage, I was confident I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was committed, in love and ready for the challenge. I learned an important lesson almost immediately: Every stepfamily situation and relationship is different. Continue reading “Stepmom Advice: Inside the October 2016 Issue”

Stepmom Problems: Inside the October 2016 Issue

Stepmom ProblemsThe Angry Stepmom: A Guide to Letting Go and Living Well by Brenda Snyder, LCSW

I have grown to realize that the old adage “It takes one to know one!” wholly applies to us stepmoms. No matter how supportive my family and friends have been throughout the years, it is only sister stepmoms who really get it: feelings of invisibility, red-faced awkwardness at family gatherings and concealed hurt when our stepchildren treat us with hostility or apathy. Continue reading “Stepmom Problems: Inside the October 2016 Issue”

Stepfamily Challenges: In the September 2016 Issue

Stepfamily ChallengesRiding the Stepfamily Roller Coaster: How to Survive Your Stepkids’ Emotional Ups and Downs by Brenda Snyder, LCSW

No relationship runs more hot and cold than the one you might have with a stepkid. Even less predictable than a high school romance, you can tuck in and kiss your stepdarling good night only to receive the cold shoulder the very next morning. Continue reading “Stepfamily Challenges: In the September 2016 Issue”

Stepfamily Development: In the September 2016 Issue

Stepfamily DevelopmentNavigating Your Stepfamily’s Journey: Understanding the Stages of Stepfamily Development by Christina Roach, LMHC, NCC, DCC

Picture it: You meet the guy of your dreams. The only hiccup—if you would call it that—is that he comes with a kid in tow. You tell yourself it’s no big deal.

Anyways, how hard could it be? Fast forward a few months and you quickly discover that living in step is not what you had anticipated. Heck, it may be nowhere near what you had envisioned! Continue reading “Stepfamily Development: In the September 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”

False Accusations: In the September 2016 Issue

False AccusationsFalse Accusations: A Stepcouple Relationship Faces the Ultimate Test by Mary T. Kelly, MA

I want to tell you the story of a couple I recently worked with. They’ve given me permission to share what they went through in the hopes that it may help you and others. It’s a story to which unfortunately many of you may relate. Continue reading “False Accusations: In the September 2016 Issue”

Custodial Stepmoms: Inside the August 2016 Issue

Custodial Stepmoms
Inside the August 2016 Issue

Custodial Stepmoms: Ease the Stress of 24/7 Stepparenting by Mary T. Kelly, MA

Overheard at my local coffee shop: “I’m telling you, Amanda, this parenting stuff is for the birds. My kids are so ungrateful. I do and do for them and they just seem to expect it. I need a very long vacation.”

Amanda’s retort: “Tell me about it!” Continue reading “Custodial Stepmoms: Inside the August 2016 Issue”

Stepmom Help: Inside the August 2016 Issue

Stepmom Help
Inside the August 2016 Issue

Sticks and Stones: A Stepmother’s Guide to Being Disliked by Wednesday Martin, PhD

No matter what I did, they didn’t like me. His kids didn’t like me. And his ex hated me. I turned myself inside out trying to please the kids. They still hated every cookie I baked, every meal I cooked. Some days it felt like they hated me for breathing. Meanwhile, I bent over backwards to show his ex I was a good and kind person she could trust with her children. Continue reading “Stepmom Help: Inside the August 2016 Issue”