“They need you,” he told me. The man I was starting to fall in love with looked at me intently over a couple of plates of the best pasta in town. “They need a mom.” “But they have mom,” I protested, curiously. “They need a mom who invests in them Read more…
We recently crossed into new territory as a stepfamily. With the departure of my stepson for his freshman year of college, and with my stepdaughter just entering her senior year of college, we have been confronted with a new stage in stepfamily living: No more stepchildren at home. Is it Read more…
This article was originally published on Her View From Home. I was at the kitchen sink late in the evening, scrubbing the stoneware baking dish and serving spoons from dinner. Actually, I had been planning on turning my back on that forlorn mess of dinner dishes teetering in the sink. Read more…
As seen on Today Parenting Team and @Today Show on Instagram; Love What Matters and Kidspot.com.au When we found out I was expecting our first “ours baby,” we were ecstatic and overjoyed. But there was a part of me that felt remorse. The remorse was wondering if it was fair Read more…
Two years ago, our family hosted a foreign exchange student from Germany. Back when I was a college student, my studies had led me to study music in Germany for three years. After that experience, I knew someday I would want to host a German student in my home. So Read more…
You know who you are. You’re the burned out step-parent who has a needy or difficult stepchild. This stepchild is in your face, in your space; maybe he’s being demanding, maybe she’s being whiny. Maybe he’s your little shadow — constantly needing you or your partner — or maybe she’s Read more…
Recently we celebrated my stepson’s high school graduation. It wasn’t our first graduation ceremony as a blended family. Three years ago we sat on those same bleachers, watching my stepdaughter cross the same stage wearing a cap and gown, diploma in hand. For us, this marks the end of an Read more…
Should a stepmom be celebrated on Mother’s Day? After all, stepmoms aren’t “real” moms…are they?
Does Disciplining Stepkids Work? “Whatever you do, don’t discipline his kids.” I looked at her with confusion. “Really?” I wondered aloud. She looked at me with a sly grin. “Just be their friend. Let Dad be the bad guy.” My friends and I were just finishing my bachelorette party. The Read more…
There I sat, again. I had stormed out of the dining room when the table conversation turned sour. Now I was back on the edge of my bed, head in hands. Am I going crazy? Am I the only one who uses any logic or consistency around here? I don’t Read more…