Expert Stepfamily Advice for Any Woman Whose Partner Has Kids
The July 2018 issue is HERE!
This month we’re talking about:
→ Codependency
→ Interfering In-laws
→ Prenup Agreements
→ Feeling Like an Outsider
→ Being Childless by Choice
→ Advice for Stepmoms Who Overthink
→ Why Stepkids Don’t Consider us Family
→ Tips to Help You Strengthen Your Relationship
→ And much more!
Here’s the full list of what’s inside this month: Continue reading “Inside the July 2018 Issue”
Outsideritis: And the Woman With Stepkids By Wednesday Martin, PhD
Do you ever feel like you’re living on the periphery of your own stepfamily and peering in? You’re not alone. Here’s why you have a case of Outsideritis and what to do about it.
When Talia (not her real name) came to a support group for couples with stepkids in New York City recently, she was, in her own words “at the end of my rope.” A laundry list of dissatisfactions tumbled out in rapid-fire succession: Continue reading “Feel Like an Outsider, Stepmom? Inside the July 2018 Issue”
Childfree by Choice: Research Proves You Should Ignore Your Critics By Christine G. Adamo
I was recently privy to a convo between two women with similar yet different childfree experiences. Both were childless-by-choice, never wanting kids of their own. While Claire had longed to foster or adopt, both of her ex-husbands balked at that option. They were bent on biological—or nothing at all—hence their ex-ness.
“It seems egotistical to me,” Claire said. “What’s so special about having kids of your own? I don’t get it and I can have kids. I come from a long line of fertile women.” Continue reading “Childfree by Choice: Inside the July 2018 Issue”
The Codependent Stepmom: Do You Give to Others At Your Own Expense? By Mary T. Kelly, MA
You joined a ready-made family and were on a mission. You were determined to make a difference, whether fueled by good intentions, a desire to compete with his ex or a combination of both. Those kids needed some guidance and discipline, which they weren’t receiving from their own parents, and you were more than happy to pitch in.
Even if you had hesitations about jumping into a role you didn’t know much about, your partner expected you to be involved—and so did everyone else. You were a good and loving person and this was the right thing to do. Continue reading “The Codependent Stepmom: Inside the July 2018 Issue”
“Dad’s Wife” The Real Reasons Stepkids Don’t Consider Us Family By Brenda Snyder, LCSW
Parents are parents. Grandparents are grandparents. So decreed my stepson, during the height of his wedding planning (circa 2009). A seemingly innocuous statement, I knew that he was ensuring that I would be recognized only as his “dad’s wife” and that my mother would not be given a corsage. I was 13 years into this stepfamily and, thus, had a pretty thick skin by that time.
Still, what is it about this stepkid relationship that makes it impossible for them to recognize us stepmoms as part of their families? In my experience, there are at least five reasons they fail to bring us into the fold. Continue reading “Are Stepmoms Family? Inside the July 2018 Issue”
The June 2018 issue is HERE!
This month’s Father’s Day Special Edition is designed specifically for couples to read—together!
The articles this month will help you and your partner team up to tackle a variety of topics divorced dads, re-partnered dads and stepdads struggle with most often. Stepmoms worldwide tell us they look forward to this annual edition because it’s a great conversation starter!
Here’s the full list of what’s inside this month: Continue reading “Inside the June 2018 Issue”
DIFFERENCES IN PERSPECTIVE: 6 TIPS FOR THE MEN FROM A DAD’S POINT OF VIEW BY ANDY HETCHLER
Perspective is both a challenge and an opportunity. Perspective takes your past and shapes you in the present. It is often not the details of a situation which cause a stepcouple conflict but, rather, a difference in perspectives.
Two people stand, facing each other, from opposite corners of a room. One person, Jim, holds up an opened book with the pages facing him. Mary is standing across the room from him. A third person, Barb, enters the room and asks: “What does the book say?” Continue reading “Tips for Divorced Dads: Inside the June 2018 Issue”
DEAR PRINCE CHARMING: 6 THINGS YOUR STEPMOM WIFE NEEDS YOU TO DO BY BRENDA SNYDER, LCSW
Women who fall in love with men who have children are a special breed. We are highly capable, successful, loving women who are good problem solvers and organizers. We are independent partners who make great choices and have skills around identifying our needs and getting them met. We are difficult to intimidate and never saw a challenge we couldn’t conquer. Continue reading “Tips for Remarried Men: Inside the June 2018 Issue”
HE SAID, SHE SAID: HOW TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS WITHOUT ARGUING BY MARY T KELLY, MA
Both stepfamily couples and first family couples come to my office with the hopes of being heard. Each partner gives me their own side of the story and then looks at me expectantly, as if I’m a referee who’s going to give a decision in one of their favors.
She says: “I’ve told him—over and over again—what needs to change. Nothing happens.” Continue reading “Tips for Remarried Couples: Inside the June 2018 Issue”
WHAT DIVORCED DADS WANT: 5 WAYS TO HELP HIM BE A GREAT PARENT BY KELLY PALMQUIST, MSW
Being a stepmom is hard work. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it! On top of that, we strive to find success and balance in careers, in family life and in our friendships. With all of that responsibility, we may lose sight of one of our most important roles—that of supporting and validating our partners. Continue reading “What Divorced Dads Want: Inside the June 2018 Issue”