243. How Stepparents Can Thrive by Protecting Their Heart, While Still Showing Up [with Laura Petherbridge]

Stepparenting can be deeply meaningful, but it can also leave you feeling rejected, exhausted, and unsure of your place in the family. We know how painful it is to care about a child, invest your heart, and still feel pushed away.

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Petherbridge to talk honestly about the expectations that often set stepparents up for disappointment and the pressures that can eventually lead to burnout. Laura reminds us that thriving as a stepparent starts with understanding how blended families are different, recognizing what is and isn’t within your control, and learning when to step back without stepping out.

Laura is an author, speaker, chaplain, and life coach who presents on relationships and marriage, stepfamilies, co-parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She has written several books, appeared on countless TV, radio, and podcast segments, and spoken across the U.S., Australia, and South Africa. She also offers a practical and encouraging monthly newsletter. (You can sign up using the link below!)

Some additional things we explore with Laura include why a stepparent’s influence matters more than forcing authority or closeness, how biological parents can unintentionally intensify burnout, and why protecting your identity outside the stepparent role is especially important for childless stepmoms.

If stepparenting has worn you down, this conversation will help you release unrealistic expectations, protect your heart, find healthy support, and move forward with greater clarity and hope.

You'll Discover:

• Why realistic expectations are essential for preventing stepparent disappointment and burnout
• How to distinguish healthy “stepping back” from emotionally checking out of the family
• Why influence is often a healthier goal for a stepparent than authority, control, or forcing connection
• How the biological parent can either reduce or intensify the pressure a stepparent experiences
• Why maintaining your own identity, relationships, and support system is especially important for childless stepparents

Resources from this Episode:

• CLICK HERE to sign up for Laura's newsletter
• CLICK HERE to join Laura's private FB group for childless stepmoms
• Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World by Kathy Koch PhD

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

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