EVERY MOMent COUNTS!
I have never expected my two stepsons to acknowledge me on Mother’s Day. They have a mother—it is not me. She is the one who deserves their time, attention and gifts on that special day. However, that doesn’t mean that over the 27 years of being a stepmom the day hasn’t brought tears and discomfort. [...]
“I’ve decided to begin some new techniques with my adult stepkids,” stepmom Nancy shared with me. “I sent an email to my step daughter-in-law sharing how I wanted to begin a fresh year and communicate more often. I have decided to stop waiting for them to make the first move. I want them to know that [...]
“I’m struggling to know what to do about the upcoming holidays,” Vicky, a stepmom of two years shared. “My husband has two children from a previous marriage that are 11 and 8. He and I want the season to be fun for them but also spiritual, and filled with the true meaning of Christmas,” she [...]
I once had a stepmom say to me, “You know, every time I go to my stepson’s baseball game the biological mom makes it very obvious that she does not want me there, that she doesn’t think I belong there. She storms around the field, and it makes it very uncomfortable for my stepsons.” I [...]
My husband recently woke up with a smile, “Happy 10,000 days!!” Steve beamed. “What?” I inquired, still groggy. “We met 10,000 days ago today. Happy anniversary,” He replied. My husband was a banker for 25 years, so that explains his obsession with numbers. And we both like to look back over the years and breathe [...]
There are times when being a stepparent can serve as an advantage. Children will sometimes share things with a stepparent that they will not disclose to a mom or dad. They also may view a stepmother as an ally or a friend in a way that is very different than a parent. Recently a stepmother [...]
Recently, while in an airport I overheard two women discussing someone they know who is part of a step family. I wasn’t trying to listen, but they were right next to me so it was inevitable. Their conversation went like this: “The kids refuse to introduce Eric’s sons their brothers,” Woman #1 stated. “They insist [...]
I was in Tyler, Texas getting ready to stand before one thousand women when I got the call from my brother, Mark. “Dad has had a stroke, he is in bad shape.” His simple words launched an unexpected domino effect of emotions, activity, and decisions. I flew from Dallas to Orlando, where I live, and [...]
You would think after 26 years as a step mother there wouldn’t be anything new to learn. Wrong. It all began when we decided to update our last will and testament. Our new attorney did a magnificent job of helping us navigate the major decisions. Steve has 2 grown sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grandchildren. [...]
“My step daughter and I have had a great relationship for over 12 years,” the woman shared. “She is planning her wedding, and I assumed I would be included. But all of a sudden she treats me like I don’t exist. I don’t understand. What happened?” Although this step mother was surprised by her step [...]
