It was my daughter’s sixth birthday. My husband and I woke up early to make sure that her birthday wish of pancakes for breakfast could be granted. I hung our felt-lettered birthday banner over the kitchen table. We got carried away, and I let her open all of her presents before school. I told her … More Did My Divorce Ruin My Daughter’s Childhood?
My husband and I welcomed our twin girls into our family on February 23rd, 2026. And then, we were officially a family of seven… I think. See, it’s a little more complicated when you’re a blended family. I’ve written numerous times about how tricky it can be to be a stepmom (read here, here, here, … More And Then There Were Seven…
Learning to cope with the uncertainty inherent in being part of a blended family has prepared me to handle uncertainty in every other aspect of my life, too. In just a few weeks, I will have my last “first day of law school,” and in December, I will graduate, officially becoming Megan Eldredge, JD. After … More One Day at a Time
My divorce was riddled with uncertainty, as most are. I had been sitting with the decision for months, weighing whether I should stay to try and fix the marriage, or leave in hopes of a better life ahead. I was actively journaling in the months before, during, and after my divorce, and there are many … More What I Wish I Could Tell My Newly Divorced Self
I have been a stepmom officially for just over a year now, but I have played a significant role in my stepkids’ lives for over three. There are a lot of growing pains the come with being a stepmom. You have to learn how to navigate a delicate parenting situation with your spouse. You have to get … More The Hardest Pill to Swallow As a Stepmom
I hope they remember the mom that was happy, and not the mom that was at her breaking point. Or at the very least, I hope they remember both. And I hope on those hard nights, those burnt-out afternoons, that I remember the mom that is happy, that I remember that joy is a choice, and that I can find a way to turn up the music and dance through the tears. … More I Hope My Kids Remember the Joy
I have been divorced for going on four years now, my husband has been divorced for three years, and him and I have been married for just over one year. I have one daughter from my previous marriage (5yo), he has a daughter and a son from his previous marriage (8yo and 5yo), and together, … More 5 Things I Can’t Do with My Kids Thanks to Divorce
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?”
Step by Step Parenting 