When I first became a stepmom, I felt like I struggled to keep my head above water. I was overwhelmed in so many ways, and the more I struggled, the more ashamed of those struggles I became. Stepparenting is genuinely one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, but with the right skills, I've found lasting peace and happiness in my marriage and family. If I could go back, here are 5 things I'd do now if I became a stepmom today:

1. Find a stepmom friend
2. Get to know Krista without being in a parent role
3. Do the hard work on my second spouse insecurities
4. Have a conversation with Kevin about expectations and core needs
5. Start setting boundaries

Ready to start setting boundaries, stepmom? Grab my FREE GUIDE Basics of a Boundary: https://stepmomming.com/boundaries-basics-guide/

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Hey, stepmom! Does your partner's guilt because of their separation and sharing custody affect their parenting? If so, this episode is for you! Today, I'm chatting with Tracy Poizner about the causes of guilty parenting syndrome, the effect it has on the children and the stepmom, and what you, as the stepmom, can do to empower your partner instead! It's a great interview full of valuable info you won't want to miss!

Tracy Poizner has been a stepmom for over 15 years and launched the Essential Stepmom facebook group about 6 years ago. Her podcast of the same name has over 100 episodes, many of them geared towards problems facing the dads such as parental alienation, bringing a new wife or baby into the family and difficulties asserting authority or enforcing household rules. She hosts a separate podcast specifically dedicated to the challenges of post-divorce fatherhood called UnDeletable Dad.

Links Mentioned: 

essentialstepmom.com

[email protected]

undeletabledad.com

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Holiday custody schedules can be brutal. When your stepchildren are at their other home for the holidays, it can exacerbate thoughts and feelings that your stepfamily is different from the one you always envisioned. It probably feels really unfair. You might feel lonely or miss them. That's a totally normal and natural response. But in today's episode, I'm sharing my BEST tips to make the most of the holidays before, during, and after, when you won't have your stepchildren on a special day!

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Resentment is pretty much a universal experience for stepmoms. If you've struggled with feeling resentful on your journey, you're definitely not alone! In today's episode, Beth McDonough and I discuss why resentment is so common for stepmoms and the reason why, steps you can take to identify your triggers, and how to overcome resentment in order to be fully present and engaged in your stepfamily!

Beth is a Certified Stepparent Coach, Co-CEO of Stepfamily Magazine, Co-Founder of The Stepmom Summit, and owner of The Inclusive Stepmom, where she takes stepmoms from hopeless to happy.

Beth specializes in LGBTQ+ issues, resentment, being a childless stepmom, infertility, dealing with the ex in a small town, and strengthening stepfamilies through focusing on your relationship with your partner.

The Inclusive Stepmom blog was named one of the best stepmom blogs of 2020 by Healthline. Her work has been featured in Good Morning America, NPR, Stepfamily Magazine, Stepmom Magazine, SheKnows Parenting, Bustle, Romper, TravelZoo, BabyCenter, Stepmomming, and ParentMap.

Links Mentioned: 

The Inclusive Stepmom: https://theinclusivestepmom.com

Stepfamily Magazine: https://www.stepfamilymagazine.com

Stepfamily Circle (affiliate): https://stepmomming--stepmomsummit.thrivecart.com/stepfamily-circle/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinclusivestepmom/

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

The holiday season is incredibly overwhelming for many stepmoms. In today's episode, I'm giving you permission to focus first on your peace of mind. Don't feel obligated to do more than you want to do. 

Say "yes" when you want to, let go of traditions that no longer serve you, and be more present by letting go of expectations of perfection. You deserve a joyful holiday season, stepmom!

Ready to set boundaries this holiday season? Grab my FREE GUIDE Basics of a Boundary: https://stepmomming.com/boundaries-basics-guide/

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Calling all stepmoms struggling with picky eaters! Today, we're chatting with dietitian, Jenny, all about how to take the frustration out of mealtime with picky eaters! I am excited to share with you everything I learned in this interview about the causes of picky eating, ways to discuss food and mealtime to ease the struggles, setting boundaries with extended family members around your child's food choices, and SO much more! Jenny is full of great insight and tangible tips to put some fun back in mealtime.

Jenny Friedman, MS RD is a dietitian who helps families overcome extreme picky eating and pediatric feeding challenges. Known for her playful and approachable style, Jenny is the author of Stories of Extreme Picky Eating: Children with Severe Eating Challenges and the Solutions that Helped Them. Jenny lives in Philadelphia with her family.

Links Mentioned: 

JennyFriedmanNutrition.com or FeedingPickyEaters.com

Instagram: @feedingpickyeaters

Jenny's book, Stories of Extreme Picky Eating: Children with Severe Eating Challenges and the Solutions that Helped Them (affiliate): https://amzn.to/46cm0xB

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Hey, stepmom! You're allowed to say no to the ex! And in today's episode, I'm giving you 3 clear ways to do that, with sample scripts! You are completely entitled to your own boundaries and needs, and I want to empower you to use your voice to take back control from the ex.

Ready to learn how to start setting boundaries, stepmom? Grab my FREE GUIDE Basics of a Boundary: https://stepmomming.com/boundaries-basics-guide/

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

You're a stepmom for one reason, and one reason only: your partner! Ensure that your relationship is as strong and healthy as it can possibly be by mastering effective communication practices. Today, Keisha Williams, a Gottman Method trained counselor, joins me on the podcast to share her BEST tips for combatting defensiveness in communication with your partner, how to communicate better during disagreements, and MORE. 

Keisha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Texas, Florida and Washington State. She specializes in couples counseling but her experience also includes treating behavioral health disorders, family issues, self-esteem barriers, career counseling, and much more.

Her clinical approaches include Gottman Couples Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing and Christian Counseling. She is passionate about serving people. Using an integrated model, she seeks to meet you where you are. 

As a Jesus follower, His influence guides and empowers her work, bringing healing and restoration and hope to individuals and couples. She believes you were uniquely created and we are not meant to do life alone. Being seen by your partner matters. Your relationship matters. It is her honor and mission to help couples move from fighting with one another to fighting together for the sake of their union. 

Links Mentioned: 

1. Interested in becoming Keisha's client? Book a free consultation: https://api.portal.therapyappointment.com/n/public/clientRegistration?therapistId=61C6BD9002AF4B3582849F8A5E41F8CC

2. Interested in learning more relationship tips? Follow Keisha on FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083863911937&mibextid=LQQJ4d

3. Interested in booking Keisha for a speaking engagement? Call or email me at 253-366-3016 or [email protected]

4. Read more about Keisha and her work here:  www.thejourneytobetter.com 

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

I've said it before, and I'll say it again and again: stepparenting is not intuitive. Learning how to navigate this tricky role can be SO challenging! Before defining my role and finding my pacing as a stepmom, I made a lot of missteps. Today, I'm sharing 5 WRONG ways to be a happier stepmom.

I have done every single one of these thinking it would make me happier, but that happiness was fleeting. Thankfully, today I’ve learned much better skills for giving me lasting happiness as a stepmom.

If you’re guilty of 1 (or more) of these wrong ways to be happier stepmom, you’re in good company. But trust me, it’s never too late to course-correct and overcome discontentment in your stepmom life. You can still build a foundation for a stepmom life you love!

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Overcoming parental alienation from a co-parent is one of the most challenging obstacles stepmoms can face. Today, Anita Inglis joins the Stepmomming Made Easy podcast to chat about what parental alienation is, what it isn't, and how we can help our stepchildren overcome it. You'll absolutely love the validation and practical advice offered in this episode!

Anita is a step/mum to 7, aged from teens to adults. After over a decade of navigating family life in a high conflict situation, she now works with families, couples, and individuals around the world. She's passionate about people finding their joy and creating connections, even when the odds are stacked against that outcome.

Links Mentioned:

http://richardagardner.com/Pas_Intro

https://karenwoodall.blog

https://drcraigchildressblog.com

Divorce Poison book by Dr. Richard Warshak (aff): https://amzn.to/3qtJSx5

https://step-familydynamics.com/

https://www.facebook.com/StepFamilyDynamicscom

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/quick-links/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy