Tag: blended family issues

5 Tips for Shared Holidays: Inside the Oct. 2017 Issue

Nightmare on Stepmom StreetNightmare on Stepmom Street: 5 Tricks for Making Shared Holidays a Treat! By Laura S. Milam, MEd

When I decided to marry a man with a daughter and an ex-wife, I knew that the holidays would be a challenge. Besides the normal pull to divide time between the in-laws, we would have the complication of custody—splitting whole weeks or groups of days between two parents.

I expected Thanksgiving and Christmas to be crazy. But nothing prepared me for the terror of Halloween. Continue reading “5 Tips for Shared Holidays: Inside the Oct. 2017 Issue”

Collective Co-Parenting: Inside the September 2017 Issue

Collective Co-ParentingThe Road to Collective Co-Parenting: Waiting for Co-Parent Status Is Like Sitting Alone on the School Bus By Melissa D. Day, MS

Negotiating kids’ busy schedules can be overwhelming enough in one home. Coordinating them between multiple homes comes with additional challenges. Add in back-to- school season and things get even more complicated. As your stepfamily makes the transition to new teachers, activities and routines, co-parenting challenges may step out of the shadows and into the light.

As you know, there are likely a number of good reasons your partner and his ex are divorced. Continue reading “Collective Co-Parenting: Inside the September 2017 Issue”

Inside the May 2017 Issue

StepMom Magazine May 2017
The May 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

This month we’re talking about:

→ Tips on how to plan for (and survive!) Mother’s Day
→ 4 Ways being a stepmom can make you a better mom
→ How to set yourself free from stepmom guilt
→ Mother-in-law trouble? We can help!
→ Advice for stepparenting a grieving child when mom’s not around
→ The importance of financial planning for stepmoms
→ And more! Continue reading “Inside the May 2017 Issue”

Stepmom Resentment: Inside the April 2017 Issue

Stepmom ResentmentStepfamily Life Isn’t Fair! Shake Resentment and Find the Happiness You Deserve By Mary T. Kelly, MA

You think about it in the car, in the shower and in your office. You think about it whether you’re in the kitchen, in bed or working out. You even think about it as you meditate. Or, try to meditate. You think about it in your sleep. Continue reading “Stepmom Resentment: Inside the April 2017 Issue”

The Passionate Stepmom: Inside the February 2017 Issue

Passionate StepmomThe Passionate Stepmom: Creating the Sex Life You Deserve by Liana Palmerio-McIvor, RP

As a sex therapist, I see many different people with a range of issues. Some feel a need for sexual intimacy and some don’t. Some think they aren’t having enough sex. And some aren’t satisfied with the sex they’re having. Most, however, believe that sexual intimacy is an important part of their relationships.

Personally and professionally, I believe sex is important. But, as a stepmom, I know there are challenges Continue reading “The Passionate Stepmom: 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”

Parenting Advice: Inside the December 2016 Issue

Parenting AdviceDad’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days: Ways to Help Your Partner Parent Better by Mary T. Kelly, MA

“When I got out of bed this morning, I tripped on the skateboard and, by mistake, I dropped my sweater in the sink—while the water was running …. I think I’ll move to Australia.”

—excerpt from “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” by Judith Viorst

The opening excerpt is from a wildly popular children’s book that kids can relate to because, in truth, kids have bad days of their own. And, though your partner may not admit this, he has definitely experienced a slew of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, too—as a dad—and he doesn’t feel very good about it. Continue reading “Parenting Advice: Inside the December 2016 Issue”

Inside the October 2016 Issue

Stepmom Magazine October 2016The October 2016 issue of StepMom Magazine is HERE!

→ What to do when your stepkids snub you
→ How to stop being so mad at your partner’s ex
→ Why you might be overthinking stepfamily life
→ How to bounce back if you’ve hit stepmom rock bottom
→ Legal advice about child support
→ 5 Steps to healing when you’ve been hurt
→ And much more!

Here’s what else you’ll find inside: Continue reading “Inside the October 2016 Issue”