Merriam-Webster defines a blended family as, “a family that includes children of a previous marriage of one spouse or both.” This is not a term I ever heard growing up, nor did I think I would end up a part of a blended family. But life had other plans for me, and I can honestly say that I’ve never been happier! Although blended families present their own unique challenges (divorce, co-parenting, learning how to be a stepparent, and helping step siblings adjust, to name a few), it is my goal to talk about all of that in a positive manner and shed light on something that many people shy away from discussing.
That first Mother’s Day as a stepmom stirred up lots of complicated feelings of jealousy and guilt and shame. I was envious of all of the moms who got to have a completely ordinary day, seemingly oblivious to how lucky they were to be able to be with their kids every single day. … More A Stepmom’s Struggle with Mother’s Day
I will never forget my first Christmas alone after I got divorced. Because my separation happened in the beginning of November, I knew that the upcoming holiday season would be tough. I would be showing up to Thanksgiving dinner alone, Christmas parties alone, and more holiday events, all alone. I wasn’t necessarily ready to announce … More What the Holidays Are Like as a Blended Family
If someone in your life is going through a divorce, you’re bound to notice. With nearly 43% of marriages ending in divorce as of 2024, it’s not exactly uncommon. If you feel the urge to ask, “What happened?” then go ahead, but here are some things to consider. … More Stop Asking Divorced People, “What Happened?”
Divorce is a huge change in everyone’s lives, parents and children alike. My daughter went from living in one house with both parents and all of her possessions, to splitting time between two houses, two parents, and two completely different ways of life. … More 5 Ways to Support Your Kids Through Divorce
Was my divorce part of some plan? Is this what God wanted for me? Or had I ruined God’s plan? If I was in charge of writing my own life story, I don’t think I would have ever written it this way, but my perspective is limited compared to that of God’s. … More Was My Divorce Part of God’s Plan?
I realized early on that being a stepmom was going to have a lot more mental gymnastics involved than I ever anticipated. But I never want to miss out on an opportunity to support and love my kids because of a fear of what others might think. The mental load of a stepmom is heavy, but it becomes lighter once you stop trying to cater to everyone around you and prove your worth as a parent. … More The Mental Load of a Stepmom
For us, the day was about more than just Kevin and I getting married; it was about us becoming a family, starting a new chapter in our lives, and committing to working on our marriage and family for forever. … More Our Blended Family Wedding
When divorce and parenting become intertwined, there can be lots of strong feelings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this process, though, is that I’m extremely grateful to co-parent with someone who is as equally committed to my daughter’s happiness as I am. … More Why We’re Committed to Peaceful Co-Parenting
When I was pregnant, there was no discussion on what my baby would call me, her dad, or her grandparents beyond, “Grandma wants to be called Mimi instead,” or “Instead of daddy, let’s teach her ‘papi’ in Spanish.” The fundamentals were not at issue: I am the mom, and dad is the dad. But what … More My Thoughts on Stepparenting, Pt. 2
What do you think of when you think of a step mom? Before I began to step into my role as a step/bonus mom, thinking of stepmom usually conjured images of the evil stepmother from Cinderella or the ostracized stepmom from The Parent Trap. The role of a stepmom tends to have a pretty negative … More My Thoughts on Stepparenting, Pt. I
Step by Step Parenting 