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?
To you moms and stepmoms and grandmas and care givers and helpers out there. You know who you are. You are one who has been faithfully sacrificing in big and little ways for days…and months…and years. You’ve been giving selflessly of yourself, reaching out to others, even when that has Read more…
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…
So you met someone special. He is amazing and you are smitten. There’s just one thing: He has kids. Actually, that’s not too uncommon anymore. With the national divorce rate right at 50% of all marriages in the U.S., it’s understandable that blended families are becoming more and more the Read more…
“Get some rest and enjoy being alone for the afternoon.” Those were the words my husband suggested to me on that Sunday afternoon. It was transition day and my husband’s ex-wife had just pulled into the driveway to drop off my stepkids for a week. “I’ll bring the kids with Read more…
It was my first day in my new role as insta-mom: the morning after our wedding. We checked out of the hotel, where the night before we had celebrated with family and friends. Packing ourselves and all the wedding gifts into the car, we started off on our drive to Read more…
I called my mom to let her know just how frustrated I was. How could my new husband let his kids get away with the things he did? Allowing ice cream before lunch? Leaving dirty dishes out? TV before school? Forgetting to brush teeth in the morning? And bad attitudes Read more…