Digging up the dirt to plant flowers
One of the weirdest things I’ve ever had to do was something I did while I was writing this book on creating mother/stepmother harmony last year. As some of you may or may not know, Carol’s an artist...
View ArticleSample Chapter
Tired of trying to figure out who’s at “fault” when it comes to the problems between you and the mom or stepmom? Here’s some food for thought! Chapter 6: Be Accountable (No One Else to Blame) From No...
View ArticleMy fault? Your fault? It’s GOT to be someone’s!
Check out a lively conversation taking place over on The Step Mom’s Toolbox at the moment. Peggy Nolan wrote three posts (One, Two and Three) about the element of self-deception and how it plays itself...
View ArticleThe power of being naked
Imagine a medieval battlefield (perhaps you’ve seen Braveheart) where two lone warriors are fighting, wounded and bloody. At some point, they realize the futility of their struggle and know if they...
View ArticleCo-parents: Are you keeping the kids out of the middle?
Since none of us would be here if it weren’t for the kids, I started thinking about how some parents can’t help but put their children in the middle of their mess with their ex. And every time I think...
View ArticleWhy Owning Your Own Crap Empowers You, Instead of Takes You Down
Most of us are reluctant to turn the flashlight back on ourselves and look at the ways we might have screwed up. After all, who likes feeling like they’ve messed up? Like the balance of power has...
View ArticleHow I survived this stepfamily “stuff”– Part 1
The discord in our families is reflective of the discord in ourselves. So when we heal ourselves, we will heal our families. That’s what Jen and I came up with while we were discussing why we’re...
View ArticleMeet July’s peace pioneer: Katie Potter
Welcome to our monthly feature, where one of YOU shares your story with fellow moms and stepmoms. Let’s welcome, stepmom and soon-to-be-mom, Katie Potter! NOTB: When your situation was at its worst,...
View ArticleApologizing 101
“I’m sorry…” Two very powerful words, when spoken from the heart. Why? Because you’re acknowledging that you’ve caused another pain, whether it was intentional or not. It’s an opportunity to express...
View ArticleWhat’s your foundation?
(Register for Jenna’s Stepmom Bootcamp!) I took my two big dogs for a walk down at the greenbelt for the first time the other morning. I had to admit, I was nervous. New retractable leash. A German...
View ArticleOne-Way Compassion
Many problems between houses start because someone is actually trying to solve a problem. A father desperately misses his kids. A stepmom is trying to find her place in a family with lots of history...
View ArticleCan You Be Generous Instead of Right?
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about generosity. And wishing we could be more generous to each other. Websters defines “generous” as : –adjective 1. liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish: a...
View ArticleIntentionally Bring Peace to Your Life
“Our thoughts create our reality — where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.” – Peter McWilliams - A colorful sunrise. - Contentment. - Growth. - Family to laugh with. - Inner wholeness....
View ArticleWhat We Can and Can’t Change
Do you think you’re able to change someone? I’m guessing intellectually you know you can’t. After all, how many times have you heard “The only person you can control is yourself”? Yet you continue to...
View ArticleRepost: No One’s the Bitch – A Primer
What are we shooting for here? How can we help you? Our best-selling book – and this site – focuses on how to create a better relationship between ex-wives and stepmoms, or, in other words, traditional...
View ArticleCan You Stop Making Demands?
I’m sure divorced moms experience this as well, but this complaint seems to be more prevalent among stepmoms, probably because moms hold more power when it comes to their children. Pick a situation, it...
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