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Helena’s story looked like it was going to be one of the rare smooth ones. She and her partner were aligned. His ex was respectful. The stepkids liked her. But the real challenge came from somewhere she didn’t expect—his family.

In this episode, Katie speaks with Helena about the emotional fallout of dealing with in-laws who made her feel unwelcome, undermined, and unsafe. Despite doing everything “right,” Helena found herself at the centre of conflict that began to affect her relationship, her wellbeing, and her sense of belonging. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to cut contact.

Together, Katie and Helena explore:

• What it feels like when the in-laws become the source of stress
• The emotional toll of being excluded and criticised by your partner’s family
• Why being liked by the stepkids isn’t always enough to feel secure
• How to protect your peace when others won’t respect your boundaries
• The power of choosing yourself—even when it means walking away

This episode is for any stepmum who’s struggling with external pressure, family politics, or feeling like she’s constantly defending her place. Helena’s story is a reminder that you’re allowed to set limits—and that peace is worth protecting.

Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, toxic in-laws, stepfamily boundaries, stepmum podcast, stepmum mental health, excluded stepmum, stepmum and extended family conflict, emotional support for stepmums, stepmum wellbeing, stepmum validation

🔗 Need support?

• Book a free intro coaching call: stepmumspace.com/booking
• Learn more about Katie’s work: stepmumspace.com

🎧 Listen now—and share with a stepmum who needs to hear that protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s survival.

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