Fighting with the ex. Dealing with your stepchildren's loyalty binds. Financial implications of child support. When one of you is on your second marriage and brought kids into the new relationship, the stressors can seem endless. Being a stepparent and second wife is far more challenging than I anticipated. Call me naive, but I didn't realize there would be added complexities in a stepfamily ... Read the Post
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The Best Resources for Stepmoms
Unfortunately, there's no single manual for how to thrive in your role as stepmom; there's no universal code for stepparenting that contains all of the answers. Despite that fact, there are many resources for stepmoms I've found throughout the years that have helped me understand that my struggles are both justified and common. I am not alone on this journey, and neither are you. The Best ... Read the Post
When You Disagree about Custody Exchanges During COVID-19
This guest post was contributed by Laura Petherbridge, The Smart Stepmom: “My husband wants his children to come to our home for the normal visitation during this Coronavirus, but I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Stepmom Alayna stated. “He has a complex medical history which includes heart and respiratory issues,” she continued. “I'm terrified he's going to get the virus from his kids ... Read the Post
Stepmomming When You are on Lockdown
There are thousands of parents around the world currently sitting at their homes waiting. Not waiting just to log onto a government website to try and register for a payment or to try and talk to someone about how COVID-19 has destroyed their lives. Not waiting for yet another company’s well-meaning but annoying COVID-19, “we’ve got you covered” email to arrive in their inbox. No. These ... Read the Post
Swim at your Own Risk, Stepmom.
I've been a stepmom for nearly 5 years. Although, if we take a step back, nothing in that sentence is entirely true. I met my partner in 2014. I met his four kids, slowly and sporadically, over the next six months. I moved in to their house two years later, in 2016. We are not married, so I am stepmom by role alone, and not by marriage. So, to start again... I've ... Read the Post