Category Archives: Co-parenting

Today, I enjoyed an intriguing FaceBook mom/stepmom thread about boundaries. All co-parents need to create and protect certain boundaries from time-to-time. For the mom, an important boundary might be that the stepmom doesn’t drastically cut the daughter’s hairstyle or pierce … Continue reading →

I caught up with my husband’s sister at a recent family dinner. She outlined her latest gardening and work projects and I told her about my online mom/stepmom connections, my stepmom blog, and my hope to help bring the two … Continue reading →

I’ve been involved in the online stepmom community for about a year and it’s been interesting. Well, choosing “interesting” as an adjective is like saying the Empire State building is tall. Or that fire is warm. It’s been way beyond … Continue reading →

To those of you active in stepmom communities, the following conversations may sound familiar.* Online SM Community Moderator 1: What’s the best thing about being a stepmom (SM)? SM1: When my stepdaughter says,  “You make the best ‘pasgetti‘ ever!!” SM2: … Continue reading →

Occasionally in the online stepmom community, somebody complains about receiving attacking emails and texts from the other mom.  Sometimes they include snippets of the angry exchanges (a couple times, the conversations were so heated I had a hard time telling … Continue reading →

Despite a sick child, today was a great day in the World According to Stepmoms. My fifteen year old stepson Luke wasn’t feeling well, so he staying home to nurse his sore throat. At about 11:3o, he called me at … Continue reading →

A co-worker didn’t speak to me for years. “Hello,” I would say.  Silence. “Good morning,” I’d smile, “how are you?” He’d look right through me and turn away. What did I do, I often wondered. Had I unknowingly offended him? … Continue reading →

A FaceBook friend shared The Challenges of Stepkids, a great article for new stepmoms which features advice from Wednesday Martin, Ph.D. and “the Happy Stepmother” Rachelle Katz, Ed.D.  Stepmoms almost kill themselves trying to win over their stepkids and create … Continue reading →

Do you watch Dr. Phil? While traveling, I recently stumbled across his episode called “Butt Out.” The first half focused on the toxic relationship between a biomom,  former husband and his new wife, while the second part concerned a mom … Continue reading →

Over the weekend, I started a “I’m Not the Psychotic BM and You’re Not the Evil Stepmother” group on FaceBook. As a society, we devalue and demonize stepmoms. Truth be told,  it seems like many stepmoms turn around and do … Continue reading →