Tag: stepmom help

A Stepmom’s Guide to Marriage: Inside the November 2018 Issue

A Stepmoms GuideThe Art & Science of Love
A Stepmom’s Guide to Making Your Marriage Last: Part Two
BY CLAUDETTE CHENEVERT

Most people hate conflict. For some, like my husband Bernard, avoiding conflict is their way of “resolving” it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work. In last month’s edition of StepMom, I shared with you the importance of practicing Maintenance first—making it easier to bounce back from conflict after an argument. I offered tips for getting in a Maintenance Mindset and shared a plan for logging the six hours needed weekly to maintain (Editor’s Note: see Oct. 2018 Back Issue). Continue reading “A Stepmom’s Guide to Marriage: Inside the November 2018 Issue”

Holiday Depression: Inside the November 2018 Issue

Holiday DepressionStepmoms and Holiday Depression
How to Recognize It and What to Do About It
BY BRENDA SNYDER, LCSW

My sister and I have decided that we’re coming back in our next lives as husbands. Seriously, because—in a husband’s world— holidays just happen. My own husband loves Christmas. He looks forward to Christmas cookies, presents under the tree, receiving cards from friends and family members, reading the annual letter “we” send out, our annual pre-Christmas party, our Christmas Eve gathering, Christmas Day brunch for all 15 of us (including our kids, their spouses and our grandkids) and watching everyone open their gifts. Continue reading “Holiday Depression: Inside the November 2018 Issue”

Holiday Survival Guide for Stepmoms: Inside the November 2018 Issue

Guide for StepmomsHoliday Survival Guide for Stepmoms
5 Skills and Techniques to Sustain You
BY SUSAN LANCASTER, PGDip

The holiday season provides us with the opportunity to come together and to learn from each other. It’s a time to not highlight our differences but to be inspired by them. It’s a time to rejoice in our similarities and use any knowledge gained to create our own unique stepfamily experiences, as we evolve and grow as individuals. Continue reading “Holiday Survival Guide for Stepmoms: Inside the November 2018 Issue”

Inside the October 2018 Issue

StepMom Cover October 2018The October 2018 issue is HERE!
* What to do when you want to quit
* Why it’s normal to dread your stepkids’ visits
* The secret life of stepmom coaches and bloggers
* How to navigate your way through awkward conversations
* How to open the lines of communication with your stepkids
* A Stepmom’s Guide to Making Marriage Last: Part One
*What stepmoms who grew up in stepfamilies want YOU to know
* Why you shouldn’t blame yourself for your stepfamily’s troubles
→ And much more!

Check out the full list of what’s inside this month: Continue reading “Inside the October 2018 Issue”

Being a Stepmom is The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done!

Being a StepmomBY MARY T. KELLY, MA

This message is for those of you who have had it. You’re exhausted, you’re hurt, you’re angry and you are so close to calling your marriage quits and don’t know where else to turn. The first thing that comes out of your mouth is, “I had no idea it would be like this.” You’ve been working at it for what seems to be a ridiculously long time and you’re over it. Done. Stick me with a fork kind of stuff. Continue reading “Being a Stepmom is The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done!”

Talking Tips for Stepmoms: Inside the October 2018 Issue

Talking Tips for StepmomsTalking Tips for Stepmoms
Navigating Your Way Through Awkward Conversations
BY KELLY PALMQUIST, MSW

When I became a stepmom, no one warned me about the frequency with which I’d be having awkward conversations—not only with my family and friends but with total strangers! For example, when you fill out paperwork at the doctor’s office it’s common to be asked: How many children do you have? Continue reading “Talking Tips for Stepmoms: Inside the October 2018 Issue”

Growing Up in a Stepfamily: Inside the October 2018 Issue

Growing Up StepfamilyGrowing Up in a Stepfamily
What Stepmoms Who’ve Been There Can Teach Us
BY KRISTEN WILKINSON, PSYD

There are a number of unique challenges stepmoms undeniably face. Those challenges are different for full-time stepmoms, stepmoms with young stepchildren and stepmoms with biological children. Yet, what about stepmoms who grew up with stepparents of their own? Does this change how they view the stepmom experience—as adults? Continue reading “Growing Up in a Stepfamily: Inside the October 2018 Issue”

Inside the September 2018 Issue

StepMom September 2018The September 2018 issue is HERE!
* Back-to-School
* Full-time Stepmoms
* Detaching & Disengaging
* Parent-Teacher Conferences
* A Historical Look at Stepfamily Life
* Emotional Intelligence for Stepmoms
* What Veteran Stepmoms Wish They’d Known
* When the Kids Disrespect Dad
→ And much more!

Check out the full list of what’s inside this month: Continue reading “Inside the September 2018 Issue”

Stepmom’s Guide to Disengaging: Inside the September 2018 Issue

Stepmoms DetachingDetaching and Disengaging
A Stepmom’s Guide to Letting Go
BY MARY T. KELLY, MA

Let it go. Let it be. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Chill out. Surrender. Release. Detach. Back off. These are all reminders to harried humans that it’s time for us to release our death grip over the “need” to control. To drop our ends of the rope, in the constant tug of wars. To take deep breaths, relax and take an active role in ending our own suffering. Continue reading “Stepmom’s Guide to Disengaging: Inside the September 2018 Issue”

Full-Time Stepmoms: Inside the September 2018 Issue

Full Time Stepmom SurveyWhat Full-Time Stepmoms Really Think
Results of Our Exclusive Survey
BY KRISTEN WILKINSON, PSYD

I sat inside Panera Bread early one morning, glancing at my laptop. The room was chilly. Outside it was damp and rainy. I felt as though I couldn’t drink my piping hot coffee quickly enough to wake my body and my brain. As I tried to focus on the task at hand, I noticed a woman sitting in a booth near mine. She looked young—maybe 30. Continue reading “Full-Time Stepmoms: Inside the September 2018 Issue”