• Definition of Stepternity Leave= Time off from work for step parents to get to know and bond with their new stepchildren. When do stepmoms catch a break?We need time off from work to blend our families! Do you know many women who give birth to massive multiples?  You probably don’t.  Yet, when a woman has one baby, they are granted maternity leave from work.  Usually, they have six

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    Stepmothers Often Feel Like the Fifth Wheel! Or, Even the Third Wheel Have you ever felt like a 5th wheel in your family?  I certainly have!  I have been a stepmother for over 20 years and I still have those moments.  You know what I'm talking about.  There is a family party and you feel as if you don't belong.  There is a family life cycle event and you feel like you don't know where you

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    Talking about the Ex?Thanks to www.AnneTaintor.com for the image   Do you talk about the ex?  How often do you and your partner discuss the ex?  Be honest.  How much of your thinking day is focused on this subject?  If you don't know, I challenge you to carry a notebook and make a slash mark every time you talk about the ex.  You may be shocked at how much energy and time you spend

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    It Takes Time for People to Know, LIke and Trust You. That's okay! When you think about buying a product or service, your preference is the work with someone that you know, like and trust.  It is a basic tenet of business and it takes time.  When you think about businesses that you frequent, how long did it take you to know, like and trust that person? Tell me if I am wrong, but I will

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    I can't help it.  This video just makes me laugh.  It reminds me of how awkward it is when you first join your new family:  both as a new wife and stepmom.  You just feel so awkward and exposed.  Enjoy the cheap laugh!

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    Stepmoms: Like in Nature, Let's Bond in Our Own Time #Happy Valentine's Day!  I always feel pressured to do something on these holidays.  Frankly, it can be annoying.  (Bah! Humbug!)  I think I just don't like being forced to do something.  Is there anyone else that feels this way? In that same vein, I often hear from stepmoms that they feel pressured to love their stepchildren.  Just

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    Physicists Think They Will Find the "God" Particle In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make   Lennon/McCartney, "The End", Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC Did you hear that scientists believe that they have found the God particle? Physicists have been looking for this missing piece of the governing theory of the universe's tiniest pieces.  This finding reminds

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    Extended Family like a Great Father-in-Law can Ease the Life of the Evil Stepmother My father-in-law passed away over the Thanksgiving holiday.  He was 95 years old.  We had been pals for 20 years.  His passing was a reminder of all the extended family members that become part of our divorces, remarriages and blended existences.  They often don't get mentioned, but they are seriously

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    You Decide How to Have Your Own Holiday Fun! Wonder what the top step mom experts advise for the holidays?  The Stepmom Toolbox Show is a fantastic resource for step parents who could use some quick advice. Four of us host the show:  Claudette Chenevert, The Stepmom Coach, Paula Bisacre of Remarriage Works, Mary Kelly-Williams of Married with Baggage and Barb Goldberg (me) of The Evil

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    Be Thankful for our Step Families and the Holidays Stepfamilies and The Holidays The holidays are coming!  The holidays are coming!  Let the message ring out throughout the land.  For most stepfamilies, the thought of the holidays gives rise to fear in our hearts. The holidays are stressful without any additional layers of complications.  Cooking, shopping, travelling, and budgeting your

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