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Episode 9: When Your Home Feels Like a War Zone: Boundaries, Anxiety & Parental Alienation
For stepmum support, tools, workshops and coaching, visit: https://stepmumspace.com
Episode Summary
In this episode, Katie talks to Jess — a stepmum to a 14-year-old girl and biological mum to an 8-year-old daughter.
Jess wanted to create a warm, happy, stable home for their blended family, but found herself constantly battling against her stepdaughter’s pushback on any rule or boundary. Things were made even harder by an ex-partner who took on the “best friend” role and regularly undermined the structure Jess and her husband were trying to build.
Over the years, the constant criticism, rejection and tension took a toll on Jess’s mental health and on the whole household. Despite working together to support her stepdaughter, the situation escalated, and — likely as a result of parental alienation — Jess’s stepdaughter eventually stopped coming to their home altogether.
While this brought temporary relief from the constant arguments and anxiety, Jess still longs for a healthier relationship and hopes her stepdaughter will one day return. As Jess says, she’s “the missing piece of their puzzle.”
This is a powerful and honest conversation for any stepmum dealing with boundary battles, anxiety, high-conflict co-parenting or the heartbreak of parental alienation.
In This Episode We Explore
- What happens when every rule becomes a battle
- How parental alienation slowly shapes children’s behaviour
- The emotional impact of constant criticism and rejection
- Anxiety in stepfamily life and how it builds over time
- How inconsistent parenting between homes affects children
- The “best friend parent” dynamic and why it’s so destabilising
- Losing yourself in conflict and chaos
- What happens when a stepchild stops coming
- The grief, relief and longing that follow estrangement
- How couples can work as a team even in high-conflict situations
These topics reflect some of the most common struggles stepmums search for when they feel overwhelmed, undermined or shut out.
If This Resonates
For boundaries support, emotional tools and stepmum-specific guidance, visit: https://stepmumspace.com
Who This Episode Is For
- Stepmums dealing with parental alienation
- Anyone navigating high-conflict co-parenting
- Women feeling undermined or shut out by the ex
- Stepmums whose stepchildren refuse contact
- Parents and step-parents struggling with anxiety and constant conflict
- Listeners wanting honest, compassionate stepfamily stories
Helpful Links
Stepmum Space website: https://stepmumspace.com
Instagram: @stepmumspace
1:1 Coaching & Couples Coaching: https://stepmumspace.com
You’re not alone, and your feelings make sense. Whenever you're ready for support that genuinely helps, Stepmum Space is here.
Support the show
View all episodes
By Katie SouthFor stepmum support, tools, workshops and coaching, visit: https://stepmumspace.com
Episode Summary
In this episode, Katie talks to Jess — a stepmum to a 14-year-old girl and biological mum to an 8-year-old daughter.
Jess wanted to create a warm, happy, stable home for their blended family, but found herself constantly battling against her stepdaughter’s pushback on any rule or boundary. Things were made even harder by an ex-partner who took on the “best friend” role and regularly undermined the structure Jess and her husband were trying to build.
Over the years, the constant criticism, rejection and tension took a toll on Jess’s mental health and on the whole household. Despite working together to support her stepdaughter, the situation escalated, and — likely as a result of parental alienation — Jess’s stepdaughter eventually stopped coming to their home altogether.
While this brought temporary relief from the constant arguments and anxiety, Jess still longs for a healthier relationship and hopes her stepdaughter will one day return. As Jess says, she’s “the missing piece of their puzzle.”
This is a powerful and honest conversation for any stepmum dealing with boundary battles, anxiety, high-conflict co-parenting or the heartbreak of parental alienation.
In This Episode We Explore
- What happens when every rule becomes a battle
- How parental alienation slowly shapes children’s behaviour
- The emotional impact of constant criticism and rejection
- Anxiety in stepfamily life and how it builds over time
- How inconsistent parenting between homes affects children
- The “best friend parent” dynamic and why it’s so destabilising
- Losing yourself in conflict and chaos
- What happens when a stepchild stops coming
- The grief, relief and longing that follow estrangement
- How couples can work as a team even in high-conflict situations
These topics reflect some of the most common struggles stepmums search for when they feel overwhelmed, undermined or shut out.
If This Resonates
For boundaries support, emotional tools and stepmum-specific guidance, visit: https://stepmumspace.com
Who This Episode Is For
- Stepmums dealing with parental alienation
- Anyone navigating high-conflict co-parenting
- Women feeling undermined or shut out by the ex
- Stepmums whose stepchildren refuse contact
- Parents and step-parents struggling with anxiety and constant conflict
- Listeners wanting honest, compassionate stepfamily stories
Helpful Links
Stepmum Space website: https://stepmumspace.com
Instagram: @stepmumspace
1:1 Coaching & Couples Coaching: https://stepmumspace.com
You’re not alone, and your feelings make sense. Whenever you're ready for support that genuinely helps, Stepmum Space is here.
Support the show