Tag Archive for: Self-Care

Stepmum Drawing a Heart in the Sand

Journey to a Happy Heart

I once asked the question on social media what words people associate with stepfamily, stepmom and step kids. It is incredible to me the number of negative word associations with these phrases. Words came up like the other, difficult, adjustment,…
Woman grinning

Tips for Getting Your Stepchild’s Mother Out of Your Head

(Kicking the High-Conflict Habit) It’s a cycle we’re desperate to break. We’re angry, so we ruminate, which makes us angrier, and so we ruminate some more. The anger and the insecurity means something to us – it’s evidence to us…
Couple Talking

15 Things Stepmom Wishes Her Husband Knew

In that moment, I knew I couldn’t say anything to make him understand. I could verbalize my emotions until I was blue in the face, but he just wasn’t going to make sense of my words. Exhausting myself trying to explain why I was struggling…
Couple Toasting at Christmas

Five Steps to Survive the Holidays and Save Your Sanity

I’ve fixed the holidays for you. You’re welcome. Read on. Perhaps fixed is a touch overstating things, but the plan below will make you feel better – I promise. It involves half-assing and wine. Step One: Figure out the schedule early “What?”…
Boy Sitting Exam

Helping your Step-Teenager through the Exam Season

Exam season can be a very stressful time, not just for the teenager sitting the exams, but also for the whole family. Such immense pressure, if left unmanaged, can cause a loss of focus, increasing anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.…
Woman Thinking Positively

Positive Thoughts, Positive Actions, Positive Results

Do you ever have times in your life where you just feel like everything is going wrong like you're on an insane roller coaster that keeps your world upside down? Recently, I have been feeling that way, and let me tell you…I need to get…
Stepmum releasing energy

Letting Go of Negative Emotions

Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and thought, what is going on? What am I becoming? I started looking at a version of myself that I didn't recognize. Have you ever felt outraged over someone else's behavior and became obsessive…
Stepmum Meditating

Be True to You

People tend to describe me as kind, fun, driven, adventurous, helpful, creative, confident, hard-working, and loyal. My sister calls me the “goodwill ambassador” because I am always trying to make friends, keep the peace, and find balance.…
Stepmum Zen

Get Your Zen On

Every stepparent is overwhelmed with a roller coaster of emotions on a regular basis. At least, I know I am. How do you set aside time to nurture your soul? I've dealt with anxiety my entire life. As a child, I bit my nails, chewed pen caps,…
Shutting Ex-Wife Out

Six Steps for Setting Boundaries with Your Partner’s High-Conflict Ex

During the first couple years of marriage to my husband, he was extremely reluctant to set boundaries or even noticed the need for them. I, on the other hand, was ready to explode with all the inappropriate behavior from his high-conflict ex…
Guilt Trip

Stepping Away from Divorced Parent Guilt

Creating boundaries is important for self-care… oftentimes, our survival. They are a healthy way to protect ourselves from some tricky situations we may find ourselves in as a stepparent. Figuring out what we can control, and what we can’t,…
Couple relaxing in front of a fire

Recapturing Christmas Magic

This is the time of year with plenty of gatherings for friends and family that create opportunities for fun and frivolity. A time to celebrate, share, give and receive. It’s joyous and magical. But for some, it shines a spotlight on everything…
Stepmum Relaxing

Why Stepparents Need a Kid-Free Zone in Their Home

Let’s face it, even in the best of circumstances, kids are not easy to be around 100 percent of the time. Even biological parents need a break from their children once in a while, so it’s normal (although not quite acceptable by society)…
Woman walking on a road

Six Life Lessons I’ve Learned Being a Stepmom

Along my step-parenting journey, I have learned some intense lessons that have become my tested tools for life. Some of these tools were already in my repertoire, but since I became a stepmom they have been completely transformed into the…
Woman Thinking

Five Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Stepmom

The decision to be part of someone’s life on a long-term basis is a monumental one. If the person you love has children from a previous relationship or marriage, then making sure this decision is the right one for you and everyone…