They Just Want to Fit in – Part 1
Part I. As a step dad, I found some ways to help my step kids feel like they fit in to our blended family. Becoming a step dad when my step kids were 8, 10 and 12 made my life way more chaotic than I...
View ArticleThey Just Want to Fit in – Part 2
Part 2. As a step dad, I found some ways to help my step kids feel like they fit in to our blended family. It was my goal to have my step kids to feel that they belong in our family, that I believe in...
View ArticleThey Just Want to Fit in – Part 3
Part 3. As a step dad, I found some ways to help my step kids feel like they fit in to our blended family. Being a step dad to 3 great kids motivated me to show them that they belong in our family,...
View ArticleHow my Stepson Changed the Way I Parent
I consider the bond I have built with my stepson to be one of the most important and meaningful relationships of my life. I also consider him to be one of the major influences in how I parent my own...
View ArticleIt’s Not You, It’s Me
Wow! Ever feel like your stepchild doesn’t like you? This can be a constant feeling. A feeling that creeps up then leaves as quick as it came. Or if you are lucky, something you hardly, if ever, have...
View ArticleCoping with Narcissistic Stepchildren
It’s surprising how many stepparents find themselves faced with the challenge of stepchildren who exhibit narcissistic personality traits. Or perhaps – when you consider how narcissism develops – it...
View ArticleWhy It’s Okay To Love Your Stepchildren Like Your Own – And What That Really...
Throughout my stepparenting journey, I’ve faced road blocks, bad attitudes, careless words, and just plain ignorance. And much of this negativity came from other adults ― not my stepchild. Due to my...
View ArticleThe Importance of Structure and Consistency in the Lives of Children
Through my own experience with my stepdaughters, and with many years in the education system, I have learned the value of structure and consistency for children. Learnersdictionary.com defines...
View ArticleWhy I Don’t Love My Stepchildren as My Own
When Gabe and I married, I understood I was committing to him and Sara, Amy and Jack for the rest of my life. I had no idea what that actually meant. In hindsight, that’s probably a good thing....
View ArticleSurviving the Stepdaughter War
My stepdaughter Amy is eleven, and has a war raging within her. It surfaced this weekend. “That’s not how mom makes potatoes,” she told me as I slid the roasting pan into the oven before dinner. After...
View ArticleShifting Your Perspective on Your Stepkids’ Bad Attitude
Being a parent is hard. Personally, it’s one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. But I think being a stepparent is even harder. Research shows that relationship challenges with the stepchildren is one...
View ArticleComing Home: Custody Transition Do’s and Don’ts
Over the years, Billy and I have shared custody many different ways. We’ve bird nested, alternated every two days, spent time in a 2/5/5/2, and most recently, adopted a week to week schedule. While...
View ArticleSaying Goodbye: Custody Transition Do’s and Don’ts
Years ago, when we first began sharing custody, I dreaded the time my children were with their father. I missed them terribly, and transitions triggered all my grief and guilt about our divorce. I felt...
View ArticleParental Alienation Is Also a Stepparent Issue
The concept of “parental alienation” has gathered more notice in recent times as more parents and experts are examining what it is and how it affects both children and adults. The increase in awareness...
View ArticleA Stepchild’s Perspective: the Worst Part About Having a Stepmom
My dad married my stepmom when I was eight. When the officiate asked me if I would welcome her into our family, my mouth said “yes,” while my whole body screamed “no.” That was before I even had any...
View Article5 Ways Stepkids Perceive Stepparents to Be a Threat
Stepparents and their stepkids are often known to butt heads or be in conflict with one another. To many stepparents, the rejection or negative attitude directed at them by their partner’s children is...
View ArticleThey Just Want to Fit In – Part 2
Part 2. As a stepdad, I found some ways to help my step kids feel like they fit into our blended family. It was my goal to have my step kids to feel that they belong to our family, that I believe in...
View ArticleTime and the Stepfamily
I’ve always believed that, with the right attitude and perseverance, just about anything is possible! This is probably why I imagined that with two willing hearts and a can-do spirit that becoming a...
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High Conflict Co-Parenting
High Conflict Co-Parenting What is High Conflict Co-Parenting? It is a term used to describe the situation in which two parents struggles to get along and cooperate for the benefit of their children....
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Stepparent Stepmom and Stepfamily Acronyms
Stepparent Stepmom and Stepfamily Acronyms When it comes to stepparenting, it can be hard to keep up with all the unfamiliar terms, acronyms, and slang that you may come across. To help you out, here...
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