Sometimes the life of a stepmom can feel like a constant battle. You are coming into a situation where dad and kids have their own routines and systems that you have to try to fit into. Step-kids may resent changes in the family dynamic and be resistant to accepting you into their lives. And, of […]
How to Reduce Step-Parenting Battles Easily: The one thing you must do! Read More »
One of the most challenging parts of stepping into a marriage where kids are already present is learning how to have the stepparent deal with discipline. As with many parenting decisions, I believe that no one set in stone way to deal with this issue. However, I have learned some valuable lessons in our journey
Blended Family Discipline: Strategies That Work Read More »
Your story matters! Cognitive therapists know that the nuances of our story are just as important as the story itself. For example, a person undergoing horrific circumstances might refer to herself as a victim, and as a result, feel intense shame. When facing similar hardships, another person will proclaim herself a survivor and feel proud
Sharing and Re-Sharing Your Blended Family Story Read More »
Can you celebrate an unfair Christmas? We think so. Here is why… Our Unfair Christmas Story On Christmas morning, Jenny and I try to keep things fair. We are a blended family, so Jenny and I are hyper-vigilant about keeping things even among all of the children. Jenny meticulously counts the number of presents, each
When Christmas is Unfair: How to Celebrate an Unfair Christmas Read More »
This is a longer, more personal post than usual, and sharing these twists and turns in our story isn’t easy. I rewrote these thoughts three times and considered deleting them entirely. I love helping others, but I disdain sharing my own pain. Writing about hurts in the past is one thing, but sharing our struggles
Picking a Fight with an Unjust Law Read More »
What blended family lessons are you learning? I’ve discovered that doing life well in a blended family is an ongoing journey. And there are some surprise teachers along the way. In this post, I share some of the lessons I’m learning. Keep reading and you might be surprised. because this powerful stepfamily wisdom comes from
Blended Family Lessons: Stepfamily wisdom from unlikely teachers Read More »