The Pondering Stepmom Podcast

In this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, I explore feedback from stepmoms about how they initially felt about dating a person who already had a child or children and how their expectations about becoming a stepmom matched up with reality.

This week, the floodgates open as stepmoms tell me what they would say to their stepchildren's biological mother if they could speak freely. This episode is already one of my favorites. The feedback was poignant, cathartic, and honest.

Thank you for listening!

Is stepparenting a toddler easier than stepparenting older kids? Does it help seal the bond more when you begin stepparenting kids at a younger age? Are there advantages and/or disadvantages to being a stepmom to toddlers? I asked, and stepmoms answered! Tune in!

Are your partner's expectations of your stepmom role realistic or do you think they expect too much from you? Tune in to this first episode of season 7 as I discuss the dynamics of partner expectations and how they affect the mental and emotional journey of a stepmom.

Thank you for listening! xoxo

How do you handle stepmom life as an introvert? I wanted to know if I'm the only stepmom who struggles with this issue. Whether it's setting boundaries or talking to new people, being an introvert can be challenging, especially within a blended family dynamic. Join me for this bonus summer episode!

In this bonus episode, I drop in to congratulate and thank the stepparents who are in the trenches during this end-of-school-year season. Award ceremonies and graduation events can bring up awkward and tense emotions for stepparents this time of year. Tune in for a much-needed dose of appreciation! I miss you guys!

In this episode, I explore feedback from seasoned stepmoms about the advice they would give to newer stepmoms about navigating their feelings around Mother's day. Tune in to this final episode of season 6! xoxo

In this episode, I explore feedback from stepmoms about what they knew or thought about the role of a stepmother as they were growing up and what they've learned from eventually becoming a stepmom themselves. Tune in to hear from real stepmoms navigating their journeys through this ever-changing and challenging parenting role.

Stepmoms, are you the primary communicator with bio mom or is your partner? Maybe it's a little bit of both. Are there communication boundaries in place or not? In this episode, I explore what's going on in other blended family situations and how involved stepmoms are with communication.

Hey, stepmoms!

In this episode, I talk about how it feels to be a stepmom when you don't have close friends who are also stepmoms. Your besties might be bio moms, but when it comes to relating to blended family struggles, it's super hard. Join me for some fantastic stepmom feedback on this topic! xoxo

In this episode, I explore how stepmoms who are also bio-moms cope with high-conflict stepparenting situations in regard to explaining and shielding their biological children from these experiences.

In this episode, I explore feedback from stepmoms who talk about the first time they felt a true bond with their stepchild or stepchildren as well as sharing feedback from stepmoms who say they've never felt any connection at all even after many years. I share my own personal stories about my stepmom/stepchild connection and give my advice on the topic. Thank you for listening!! xoxo

In this episode, I share much-needed advice from real-world stepmoms who have experience raising teens within their blended families. If you're a stepmom or know a stepmom who is struggling with the teen years or who is curious about a plan of action for when the teen years arrive, this is the episode for you! 

Thank you for listening!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode, I hear from stepmoms who explain the situation/experience that caused them to disengage from their role. Tune in to this honest and intriguing account of what real stepmoms describe as their own personal breaking points. 

Thank you for listening!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode, I explore feedback from stepmoms whose partners have full or primary custody of their kids. They bravely share their personal journeys of how they ended up in the full-time custody arrangement & how it has affected their stepmom role. Thank you to all the beautiful stepmoms who responded and to all my loyal listeners for tuning in! xoxo

In this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, stepmoms talk about how being a biological parent has influenced their stepparenting role, sometimes in very unexpected ways. The feedback in this episode, as always, is raw, honest, and enlightening. Thank you to all the stepmoms who shared their stories with me and with the Pondering community xoxo

Thank you for listening!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode, I asked stepmoms to tell me what has surprised them the most on their stepmom journey and I got a TON of great feedback. Please join me for this honest and cathartic episode of The  Pondering Stepmom Podcast. 

Thank you for listening!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

Hey, stepmoms! 

This week I share feedback from stepmoms regarding their most aggravating issues on and around transition days with the other household. There was a lot to unpack here and if you're a stepmom who's at her wit's end and needs some relief, tune in and realize that you're not alone! 

Thank you for listening. xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

The term "control freak" is thrown around a lot. I use it to describe myself. I have heard many stepmoms, in particular, refer to themselves as control freaks also. This made me wonder WHY so many stepmoms think they're control freaks & what this term actually means to them. I asked stepmoms how they feel about this term and I got some GREAT feedback! Tune in to hear it! xoxo

Thank you for listening. xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this holiday bonus episode, I explore feedback from stepmoms about the things they wish others could understand the most about their role. Please tune in to this episode if you're a stepmom who wants to relate to other stepmoms like you AND feel free to share this podcast with someone who may both appreciate it and learn from it. 

Thank you for listening. xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this season finale of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, I explore how the perception of stepmoms has changed over time thanks to some fantastic feedback from other stepmoms. I discuss the positive evolution of the stepmom role and those evil stepmom narratives from the past.

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode I ask the question: If you were not in your stepmom role, do you think you would be friends with your stepchild's biological mom? Tune in as I explore the feedback from other stepmoms about how they think a relationship with the bio mom in their lives might go under different circumstances...

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

Are you a stepmom who is coping with raising a stepchild (or stepchildren) whose biological mother has left the scene? This week, I delve into the experiences of stepmoms who are in this extremely challenging situation, and hopefully, in sharing these stories, there are stepmoms out there who will feel less alone.

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

If you're a stepmom who has biological children, how do those children feel about your role as a stepmom? In this episode, I explore feedback from stepmoms about how their biological children react and relate to having a mom who is also a stepmom. 

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

Are any of your partner's family members still close with your stepchild's biological mother? Join me for this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast where I explore feedback from stepmoms regarding their experiences with this very complicated blended family dynamic. Available on every major podcast app!

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode, I explore how stepmoms have adjusted to their stepkids turning 18 and becoming adults. Did the 18th birthday magically make their stepparenting role easier or did it make things harder? 

Thanks to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

Have you ever tried to step back or "disengage" from your stepmom role and your partner just doesn't understand why..? In this episode, I explore how the partners of stepmoms have reacted when there's a desire from a stepmom to disengage from her role. Real-world stepmoms share their own disengagement experiences with raw and graceful honesty.

Thank you to all the stepmoms who chimed in and thank you to all who have listened to The Pondering Stepmom Podcast!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, I asked for feedback from stepmoms who have been through enough seasons in their stepmom journey to offer up some much-needed advice for new and/or struggling stepmoms deep in the trenches. Boy, did stepmoms deliver! There are some real gems of wisdom in this episode that you'll want to hear. Thank you to all the stepmoms who shared their experiences and to everyone who tunes in! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

In this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, I discuss feedback from stepmoms on what their first meeting/impression of their stepchildren's biological mother was like & if that relationship has evolved from that moment on or not. I also share my personal experience during my own first meeting. I got an overwhelming response to this topic so please tune in! I hope stepmoms can relate to some of these experiences and find some comfort in knowing they are NOT alone xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

In this episode of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, I discuss the challenges of clashing with your partner about how to parent/discipline stepkids. So many stepmoms struggle with differing parenting styles and many are at their wits end over it! Please tune in as I read feedback from other stepmoms on this issue and discuss coping strategies. 

Thanks for tuning in, and as I mention in the episode regarding absent bio moms, here is a link to an episode where I discuss being a full-time stepmom and the challenges that can bring as far as discipline, behavior, etc...

The season 5 premiere of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast!

It's hard to find people who understand the dynamics of stepparenting. This season 5 premiere of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast focuses on those people who real-world stepmoms can turn to and vent about their problems. THANK YOU to all who listen and who support struggling stepmoms! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

Full summer bonus episode! 

Hi, stepmoms!

What does summer break look like in your blended home? Do your stepkids stay with you, or otherwise? Is this a stressful time of year for you as a stepmom or not? Tune in to find out what other stepmoms had to say on this topic! Thank you to all the stepmoms who gave their feedback and for tuning in! xoxo

Hey, stepmoms! What do your stepchildren call you? Do they call you by your first name? Do they call you 'mom'? Or do they refer to you in another way? In this episode, I find out how other real-world stepmoms feel about the names/labels that are used for them and I also discuss my own personal experience with stepmom labels.

Tune in!

In this episode, I discuss feedback from stepmoms about how they're feeling about Mother's Day this year. Tune in as I read all about how stepmoms from many different blended family dynamics and perspectives chime in. Stay strong, stepmoms! 

Thank you for tuning in! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

Step-parenting teenagers can be the hardest season in a stepmother's journey! In this episode, I discuss feedback from stepmoms with step-teens who describe their own experiences as well as offer some advice to other stepmoms who are on this journey as well. 

Thank you for tuning in! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

Hi! Please join me for a discussion about what we as stepmoms wish our partners could understand about the most challenging parts of being a stepmom. Thank you to all the stepmoms who gave me feedback and to the listeners tuning in! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

Hey, stepmoms, How old were you when you first became a stepmom? Do you think that your age has influenced your role or affected people's perceptions of you? Tune in as I read comments from stepmoms of all ages who describe their experiences and revelations about age, wisdom & the stepmom role! xoxo

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review so others can find me!

Do you know your stepkid's friends and/or their parents? Are you super involved in your stepkid's friendships or not at all? I discuss how awkward these social situations can be for everyone and how different every blended family dynamic can be regarding this subject. Thanks for tuning in! 

Are you and your spouse on the same page as far as parenting & disciplining? Does your spouse follow through when you ask them to handle a parenting issue? This week I talk about stepmom frustrations as far as parenting & disciplining within the blended family & how this affects both the relationship and the household as a whole. Thanks for tuning in!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave me a glowing review wherever you listen so others can find me!

Are you a stay-at-home stepmom? How has this affected your stepparenting journey? This week I read comments with experiences from stay-at-home stepmoms and I dissect some of the challenges they face on a daily basis. SO many insightful comments this week! Thank you!

Hi! This week I discuss feedback from stepmoms about how the biological mom of their stepchild/stepchildren reacted to an "ours baby" coming into the picture. Stepmoms shared with me their sometimes very difficult and painful experiences as well as sharing some positive stories. Please tune in!

Hello, stepmoms!

This week I asked stepmoms if they feel like their stepkids actually like them and how they feel about whether they do or they don't. From cohabitating, bonding, and disciplining, how much does your stepchild liking you really matter? Let's find out! Tune in!

This week stepmoms tell me about the traits they feel make them stronger as stepmoms and the things they have learned along the way that gifted them with the ability to be kinder to themselves as well as better functioning stepmoms.