About three years ago, I overheard my stepdaughter talking to a friend as they walked out of school together. She said, “I’m going to my dad’s house today, but I’ll ask my mom when I get home tomorrow!”A completely harmless comment, but it confirmed a feeling I’d been having for months. That night, and various nights after that, I sat with my husband and talked through a big dilemma we had ... Read the Post
You’re Here to Support Him, Not to Save Him.
Stepmama, you do so much as a supportive wife. You are important, you are selfless, and you are a linchpin. But you know what you’re not?Jesus.So it’s time to stop trying to “save” your husband. You’re Here to Support Him, NOT to Save Him. I’ll be real with you - I get a lot of messages from struggling stepmoms, and many of them lay a myriad of their husband’s issues out on my ... Read the Post
Summer Vacation Habits for Healthy Kids All Year Long
Ah, the joyous sounds of summer... "I don't want to go outside! It's too hot!”, "can I have a snack?" and my personal favorite, "I'm bored!" It’s so tempting to throw in the towel on promoting healthy habits and let summer break become a junk food and screen time free-for-all. But just because the kids are on vacation doesn’t mean their health should be too. With a little help, it is possible to ... Read the Post
Hey Stepmom, It’s Okay to Take Up Space
Friend, we need to talk. I see you running on empty, I hear you voicing your stepmom needs in our stepmom support group, and I think it’s time to let you in on a very simple secret…We already know that the stepmom expectations are contradictory and exhausting – love his kids like your own but don’t act like their mom, be involved in their lives but don’t overstep the “real” parents, treat them ... Read the Post
The Best Relationship Advice You Haven’t Heard Before
Ah, February. The month of valentines, tacky jewelry, and a gag-worthy amount of pink.Despite loving none of those things, I love February - because it’s the month of my wedding anniversary. Every February I become sappy and reminiscent, reflecting on all the lessons I’ve learned so far and how much we’ve grown as a couple.One of those lessons I’d like to pass along to you. It’s short and ... Read the Post