Knowing Dan had a kid and knowing what I was getting into are two totally different things, it turns out.

It’s not that I made the decision to become a stepparent without thinking about it. I honestly thought I knew EXACTLY what I was signing up for, especially since I already had a kid myself. (Famous last words, right?)

Turns out that helping someone else raise a kid that's not yours comes with a whole lot of strings and baggage that are wayyyyy more complex than any of us realize at the beginning of this journey.

And you know what? Feeling overwhelmed by just how different your vision of blending a family is compared to the reality of blending a family is totally normal and totally okay. Struggling to find your place and figure out what your role is really supposed to be doesn't mean you're failing. This job is hard by default.

If you’re feeling lonely or like you’re struggling or just wish you could connect with other stepparents who get it, that’s exactly what we offer in our private support community on Substack. You’ll get access to a private chat where you can vent in a safe space, you can ask me & Dan whatever questions you like or for tips and advice, and you’ll also get access to a ton of in-depth resources on everything from transition day tips to how to create effective boundaries with a high-conflict ex. We’d love you have you. xo

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🧡 Need a bigger pep talk? Start here or join us over on Substack! xo

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com