The Stepmom Diaries | Blended Family & Stepmom Support Podcast
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- 12. Nov. 2026
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The Stepmom Diaries is a podcast for stepmoms navigating blended family life, marriage stress, coparenting conflict, emotional burnout, and the realities nobody talks about. Hosted by Cameron Normand of Stepfamily Solutions, this podcast keeps it honest with relatable conversations about stepmom life, relationships, identity, resentment, boundaries, and building healthier blended families. As a second wife and stepmom to four kids, Cameron combines real-life experience with practical support to help stepmoms feel less alone, less overwhelmed, and more confident in their role.
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When You Can't Avoid the High-Conflict Ex: Stepmom Boundaries | Darlene Sparks, M.S.
What happens when you can't escape the high-conflict ex? Not at custody exchanges, not in your personal life, and not even at work? When Darlene Sparks met her future husband, she discovered something almost …
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What happens when you can't escape the high-conflict ex? Not at custody exchanges, not in your personal life, and not even at work?
When Darlene Sparks met her future husband, she discovered something almost impossible to believe. His ex-wife was someone she supervised at work! And what followed was seven years of navigating high-conflict co-parenting, workplace drama, and blended family conflict with almost nowhere to escape it.
In this episode, I'm joined by Darlene A. Sparks, M.S., a certified stepfamily coach and graduate of the Stepfamily Coach Academy, for an honest conversation about setting boundaries with a high-conflict ex, protecting your peace, and finding your voice as a stepmom.
We talk about what happens when staying quiet starts costing you your emotional well-being, why your partner doesn't need to share every nasty thing the ex says about you, and how healthy stepmom boundaries can change the way you experience even the most difficult co-parenting relationships.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:How to set boundaries with a high-conflict ex when avoiding contact isn't an option.
Why protecting your peace doesn't mean staying silent or letting the other household control your life.
How to establish co-parenting boundaries with your partner, including what communication you should (and shouldn't) be involved in.
Practical ways to reduce blended family stress, from limiting unnecessary conflict to setting boundaries around custody exchanges and your home.
You can't always control the conflict, but you can decide how much access it gets to your life. And sometimes, the strongest thing a stepmom can do is stop fighting battles that were never hers to begin with.
Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeConnect with Darlene A. Sparks on Social Media:
Want to see Darlene in action? Join Cameron and Darlene, a Stepfamily Coach Academy graduate, for our next FREE Unstuck live coaching webinar on December 1st at 6:30 PM ET, where you'll see real stepfamily coaching in action! Learn more and register here.
Learn more about the Stepfamily Coach Academy, our ICF CCE accredited certification program that provides specialized, research-based training to help aspiring and practicing coaches confidently support stepmoms and blended families through their unique challenges.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Before the Holidays Blow Up: The Conversation Every Stepmom Needs to Have
The holidays are supposed to be magical. But when you're a stepmom, they can feel more like a countdown to the next blended family blowup. Between custody schedules, competing traditions, difficult exes …
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The holidays are supposed to be magical. But when you're a stepmom, they can feel more like a countdown to the next blended family blowup.
Between custody schedules, competing traditions, difficult exes, extended family expectations, and trying to make everyone happy, blended family holidays can get complicated FAST! And sometimes, the biggest problem isn't what happens on Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's the conversations that never happened beforehand.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron shares the story of her first Thanksgiving as a stepmom (including the cheese quesadilla that nearly broke her!) and explains why holiday stress in stepfamilies often starts long before the celebrations begin.
More importantly, she's walking you through the one conversation you NEED to have with your partner BEFORE the holidays so you're not left feeling blindsided, excluded, or responsible for keeping everyone happy.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why blended family holidays can feel so much harder for stepmoms, even when everyone has good intentions.
How to talk with your partner about custody schedules, holiday traditions, and expectations without starting a fight.
What your stepkids may be experiencing during the holidays and why their reactions aren't necessarily about you.
How to set boundaries with extended family, manage holiday stress, and make sure you and your partner are on the same team.
Because the goal isn't a picture-perfect blended family holiday. It's making sure you and your partner aren't discovering what the other expected when you're already in the middle of it.
Resources Mentioned- Say It Out Loud: The Stepmom Conversation Playbook Get practical language for the conversations that are hardest to have, including how to ask your partner for support without making them feel like they have to choose between you and their kids. Get yours here!
- Free Essential Stepmom Scripts Need help finding the right words? Comment SCRIPTS on any of Cameron's Instagram posts at @stepfamilysolutions to get her free scripts for difficult stepfamily conversations.
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
BONUS REWIND: Is Your Therapist Making Your Stepfamily Problems Worse? (Ep. 135)
BONUS REWIND: Is Your Therapist Making Your Stepfamily Problems Worse? (Ep. 135) What if the advice you're getting in therapy is actually making your stepfamily problems worse? You've tried therapy. You've …
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BONUS REWIND: Is Your Therapist Making Your Stepfamily Problems Worse? (Ep. 135)
What if the advice you're getting in therapy is actually making your stepfamily problems worse?
You've tried therapy. You've followed the advice. You've been told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, or take a bigger role in disciplining your stepchildren. And somehow, things have gotten even harder.
But what if the problem isn't you? What if your therapist is working from the wrong family map?
In this special Bonus Rewind of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron revisits one of the most important conversations for stepmoms who have tried everything and still feel stuck.
The reality is that stepfamilies operate differently from first families, yet many therapists receive little formal training in stepfamily dynamics. Even well-meaning professionals can unintentionally offer advice that creates more frustration than progress.
Cameron breaks down what the research actually tells us about stepfamily development, why traditional therapy approaches sometimes miss the mark, and how to recognize whether your therapist truly understands blended families.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why traditional family therapy advice can make stepfamily challenges worse
How stepfamily relationships develop differently from first-family relationships
Four questions to ask a therapist about their stepfamily training and approach
What a healthy, realistic stepparent and stepchild relationship can look like
This isn't about criticizing therapy or telling you to leave a therapist you trust. It's about making sure your family gets support that actually fits.
Because sometimes you're not doing anything wrong. You've just been handed the wrong map.
Originally released August 6, 2026, as Episode 135 of The Stepmom Diaries.
Sponsored by Cozy Earth: Upgrade your bedtime with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and pajamas, and use code STEPMOMDIARIES at CozyEarth.com for up to 20% off.
Resources MentionedLearn more about Patricia Papernow and her clinical work on stepfamily development
Look for Patricia Papernow's clinical book on working with stepfamilies
You're Allowed to Need a Break From Your Stepkids | Alyssa Kirk
Ever feel relieved when your stepkids go back to their other home, then immediately feel guilty about it? You're not alone. And it doesn't make you a bad stepmom. In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron …
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Ever feel relieved when your stepkids go back to their other home, then immediately feel guilty about it? You're not alone. And it doesn't make you a bad stepmom.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron Normand talks with Alyssa Kirk, founder of Stepmom Social Club, about stepmom guilt, impossible expectations, high-conflict co-parenting, and why taking care of yourself isn't selfish. From the pressure to treat your stepkids like your own to the judgment that follows when you do, Alyssa and Cameron get honest about the realities of blended family life.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why it is okay to need a break when your stepkids leave.
• The double standards and unsolicited advice that can fuel stepmom guilt.
• Grounding yourself before reacting to high-conflict co-parenting situations.
• Why connecting with other stepmoms can make the role less lonely.
They also talk about the evil stepmother stereotype, dealing with online criticism, and finding friends who understand the realities of your family. You don't have to love every minute of stepmom life to care deeply about your family.
Resources Shared in This Episode:
Want to find your people? Join us inside Stepfamily Circle, the supportive community for stepmoms navigating blended family life: https://stepfamilycircle.com/
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Why You Don't Have to Love Being a Stepmom All the Time
"I don't like being a stepmom today." Have you ever thought that and immediately felt guilty about it? Maybe you're dreading another custody weekend, feeling resentful about everything you're expected to do, or …
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"I don't like being a stepmom today."
Have you ever thought that and immediately felt guilty about it? Maybe you're dreading another custody weekend, feeling resentful about everything you're expected to do, or just wishing you could take a little break from stepmom life.
I've been there. And here's something I want you to hear: You can love your stepfamily without loving every minute of being a stepmom.
In this episode, we're talking about those complicated feelings so many stepmoms experience but are afraid to admit out loud. More importantly, we're looking at what those feelings might actually be trying to tell you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why feeling frustrated or resentful doesn't make you a bad stepmom
How stepmom guilt can make an already difficult situation feel even worse
Three questions to help you understand what's really behind your resentment
Why changing your boundaries and responsibilities may be more helpful than changing your attitude
You don't have to love being a stepmom every minute to be a loving stepmom.
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 125: A deeper look at what's actually within your control as a stepmom
Looking for a community of women who really get what it's like to be a stepmom? Come join us inside the Stepfamily Circle: https://stepfamilycircle.com/
If this episode made you feel a little less alone, share it with another stepmom who might need to hear it.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
The Grief of Wanting a Child of Your Own: Infertility as a Stepmom | Jen Powell
Can you love your stepkids and still grieve the child you may never have? It's one of those complicated feelings that can be incredibly hard to admit, even to yourself. Infertility as a stepmom brings a unique …
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Can you love your stepkids and still grieve the child you may never have? It's one of those complicated feelings that can be incredibly hard to admit, even to yourself.
Infertility as a stepmom brings a unique kind of grief. You're already part of a family, helping raise children, and watching your partner experience parenthood while wondering if you'll ever have a child of your own. And the guilt, resentment, and heartbreak that can come with those feelings? They're not always easy to talk about.
In this episode, Cameron sits down with Jen Powell, founder of The Sober Stepmom, a coach who supports childless stepmothers navigating identity, belonging, grief, and the emotional complexities of stepfamily life.
Together, they open up about their personal experiences with IVF, including Cameron's five unsuccessful rounds of treatment and Jen's heartbreaking decision to cancel an embryo transfer.
But this conversation goes beyond infertility. They explore what happens when the family you're already part of makes it harder to pursue the family you imagined, and why those feelings can bring an entirely different layer of guilt and grief.
In this episode, you'll learn:Why infertility as a stepmom can feel especially isolating when you're already helping raise someone else's children.
The complicated emotions childless stepmoms often struggle to admit, including guilt, resentment, and grief.
What led Jen to cancel her embryo transfer and why that decision was both heartbreaking and necessary.
Why putting yourself first during infertility doesn't make you a bad stepmom, even when other people don't understand your decisions.
Loving your stepfamily and grieving the child you hoped to have can both be true, and you deserve the space to feel both.
Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeConnect with Jen Powell, founder of The Sober Stepmom:
Instagram: @the_sober_stepmom
Facebook: The Sober Stepmom
Grab our FREE "10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms": https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
When Should a Stepmom Discipline Her Stepkids? | April Eldemire, LMFT
Should a stepmom discipline stepkids? It's one of those questions that sounds simple until you're the one living it. A lot of stepmoms come in wanting to help, be supportive, and feel like a real part of the …
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Should a stepmom discipline stepkids? It's one of those questions that sounds simple until you're the one living it.
A lot of stepmoms come in wanting to help, be supportive, and feel like a real part of the family. But when you're expected to parent without the same history, authority, or connection, things can go sideways fast.
In this episode, Cameron sits down with April Eldemire, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist, couples therapist, blended family expert, and former stepmom with more than 13 years of experience working with couples.
Together, they dig into the big question: Should a stepmom discipline her stepkids, and if so, when?
April breaks down what stepmoms often take on too soon, what the biological parent should be handling instead, and why trying to "parent like a mom" before the relationship is there can backfire.
They also get into the bigger issue underneath all of this: What is actually your job as a stepmom? Because the answer may look very different than you think, and it may even look different with each stepchild.
In this episode, you'll learn:When should a stepmom discipline stepkids
Why connection before correction matters so much when building trust with your stepkids.
How unclear roles can leave stepmoms feeling like the bad guy, and what the biological parent can do to better support their partner. april-cameron
The simple 15-minute weekly trick that can completely change how you and your partner handle stepfamily stress, parenting, and decisions.
If you have ever wondered whether you are too involved, not involved enough, or taking on responsibilities that should belong to your partner, this conversation will help you think differently about your role.
Being a good stepmom does not mean doing all the parenting. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do for your relationship with your stepkids, your partner, and yourself is to get very clear about what is actually yours to carry.
Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeConnect with April Eldemire, LMFT: Website: Couples-thrive.comInstagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok: @couplesthrive
Grab our FREE "10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms": https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
April's Blended Family Quick Win Toolkit gives couples practical tools to reduce "my kid/your kid" conflict and start parenting more like a team in just 7 days.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
What Actually Makes a Blended Family Work? What the Research Says
What if some of the things you've been told a blended family should look like are actually making things harder? This episode is a special one pulled straight from our recent Stepmom Summit, where I sat down …
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What if some of the things you've been told a blended family should look like are actually making things harder?
This episode is a special one pulled straight from our recent Stepmom Summit, where I sat down with three of the leading researchers in the stepfamily field to talk about how to make a blended family work based on what the research actually says, not what Instagram, your neighbor, or the Brady Bunch would have you believe.
Dr. Brad van Eeden-Moorefield is a professor of family science and human development at Montclair State University whose research looks at how stigma, culture, policy, and the expectations placed on families affect real stepfamily relationships.
Dr. Bailey M. Oliver-Blackburn is an associate professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who studies stepfamily communication, conflict transformation, and family resilience, including what happens when children move between homes with very different rules, beliefs, and values.
Dr. Todd Jensen is a professor at UNC Chapel Hill and director of the Thriving Through Family Transitions Research Lab. Much of his work focuses on what helps kids thrive in stepfamilies and how strong relationships between stepparents and stepchildren actually develop.
And between the three of them, there is a LOT of research to unpack.
In This Episode, We Talk About:Why there is no single right way to be a stepparent and what actually matters more for building a strong relationship with your stepkids
What research says helps kids thrive in blended families, including warmth, timing, connection, choice, and learning to "read the room"
How to navigate very different rules, routines, beliefs, and values between two households without making your stepchild feel stuck in the middle
Why stepfamilies are not broken versions of first families and what decades of research tell us about creating relationships that work for your family
If you've ever wondered whether you're doing this whole blended family thing wrong, this conversation may completely change the way you look at your family. There isn't one perfect formula. There are many paths to strong relationships, and the research is finally catching up to what stepfamilies have needed to hear for a long time.
Want More From the 2026 Stepmom Summit?Get access to all of this year's Stepmom Summit recordings for just $97 and catch the sessions you missed or rewatch your favorites before the offer ends October 4th, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET: https://thestepmomsummit.com/rs-upgrade-purchase
Resources From This EpisodeDr. Brad van Eeden-Moorefield: https://inside.montclair.edu/directory/brad-van-eeden-moorefield
Dr. Bailey M. Oliver-Blackburn: https://baileyoliverblackburn.com/
Dr. Todd Jensen: https://www.instagram.com/drtoddjensen/
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
When Your Ex Won't Stop Creating Chaos: High Conflict Co-Parenting | Livi North
High-conflict co-parenting has a way of making it feel like someone who doesn't even live in your house somehow has way too much control over what happens inside it. The texts, the emails, the constant …
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High-conflict co-parenting has a way of making it feel like someone who doesn't even live in your house somehow has way too much control over what happens inside it.
The texts, the emails, the constant curveballs, the tension with your partner... it can start to feel like your entire relationship is being shaped around someone else's chaos.
In this episode, I'm talking with Livi North, founder of Unfuck Your Co-Parenting, where she helps parents and stepparents navigate high-conflict co-parenting, parallel parenting, and difficult exes without letting the chaos take over their lives.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:How to tell the difference between normal post-divorce conflict and a truly high conflict dynamic
Why strong boundaries matter more than trying to change a high conflict ex
How getting angry for your partner can accidentally create even more stress
Why parallel parenting, intentional couple time, and limits around venting can help keep the conflict from consuming your relationship
Because the truth is, you may never be able to control what a high-conflict ex does. But you can decide how much space their behavior gets to take up in your home, your relationship, and your life.
Resources Mentioned:→ Connect with Livi North: Visit unfuckyourcoparenting.com for resources and coaching, including a $189 one-hour intro call; follow @unfuckyourcoparenting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook; and listen to the Unfuck Your Coparenting podcast.
→ Upgrade your bedtime with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and pajamas, and use code STEPMOMDIARIES at CozyEarth.com for up to 20% off.
→ Unfuck Your Co-Parenting: The Coaching Couch Podcast (Available wherever you listen to podcasts)
→ Connect with Livi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook: search the handle @UnfuckYourCoparenting
→ Free High Conflict Ex Guide: Get our FREE 10 Quick Tips To Dealing With Your Spouse's Ex, and stop letting your partner's high-conflict ex take over your life at stepfamilycircle.com/high-conflict-ex-tips.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
5 Tips for New Stepmoms I Wish I Knew From Day One
Have you ever felt like the harder you try to be a good stepmom, the worse things seem to get? That was me in my first few years of stepfamily life. I tried to make the kids like me, stepped into authority too …
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Have you ever felt like the harder you try to be a good stepmom, the worse things seem to get?
That was me in my first few years of stepfamily life. I tried to make the kids like me, stepped into authority too quickly, rearranged my entire life around our parenting schedule, and kept wondering why I still felt like I was failing.
What I eventually learned is that I wasn't dealing with a lack of effort. I was trying to navigate a stepfamily using a first-family blueprint.
Once I started digging into published stepfamily research and the academic work around stepfamily dynamics, so much of what I had been experiencing finally made sense. Those lessons, combined with my own lived experience, ultimately became part of the foundation for the Stepfamily Coach Academy.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About:• Why trying too hard to make your stepkids like you can actually work against connection
• Why building a relationship needs to come before stepping into authority
• How treating your stepfamily like a first family can leave you feeling like you're constantly failing
• Why keeping your own life, understanding your role, and learning the actual research on stepfamilies can change everything
If you're a newer stepmom looking for tips for new stepmoms, I hope this episode gives you something I desperately needed back then: proof that there really is a roadmap for this.
Resources Mentioned:The 2026 Stepmom Summit: Out Loud → https://thestepmomsummit.com/We're LIVE September 14th-18th, 2026 with more than 30 experts talking about the parts of stepfamily life we need to start saying Out Loud!
Stepfamily Coach Academy → https://stepfamilycertification.com/
Want to understand stepfamily dynamics on a much deeper level or use what you've lived through to help other families? The Stepfamily Coach Academy brings together published research, the academic study of stepfamilies, practical frameworks, and lived experience to train the next generation of stepfamily coaches.
If this episode made you think of another stepmom who is trying way too hard and wondering why it still isn't working, send it to her. And if you haven't already, subscribe and leave a review so more stepmoms can find the support they've been looking for.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Are You Still Trying to Prove You're Not the Wicked Stepmother?
Have you ever felt like people see you differently the second they find out you're a stepmom? The wicked stepmother stereotype has been around for centuries, showing up in fairy tales, movies, and cultural …
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Have you ever felt like people see you differently the second they find out you're a stepmom?
The wicked stepmother stereotype has been around for centuries, showing up in fairy tales, movies, and cultural stories long before any of us stepped into this role. And even when no one says it out loud, that stereotype can quietly shape how other people see stepmoms and how stepmoms start seeing themselves.
In this episode, Cameron unpacks the shame behind the wicked stepmother stereotype and the pressure so many stepmoms feel to prove they're loving enough, patient enough, helpful enough, or "good" enough to belong.
She also explores what happens when that pressure turns into overfunctioning, shrinking in your own home, or staying silent about how hard stepfamily life can actually be.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why the wicked stepmother stereotype still affects modern stepmoms
• How shame can show up as overfunctioning, shrinking, and silence
• Why comparing yourself to your stepchild's biological mom puts you in a competition you were never supposed to enter
• How to separate the cultural story about stepmoms from the truth about who you actually are
You did not break up a family simply by becoming part of one. And you do not have to spend your stepmom life proving that you deserve your place in it.
Sometimes the first step is recognizing that the story you've been carrying was never yours to begin with.
Resources & Links• Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
If this episode hit home, share it with another stepmom who might still be trying to prove she isn't the villain in somebody else's story. And don't forget to follow The Stepmom Diaries so more stepmoms can find these conversations too.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
What Stepmoms Can Learn From an Adult Stepdaughter | Robin Breuner
What does your stepchild actually need from you, even if they cannot put it into words? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Robin Breuner, host of Step Stories: Thriving and Surviving …
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What does your stepchild actually need from you, even if they cannot put it into words?
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Robin Breuner, host of Step Stories: Thriving and Surviving Life in Blended Families, to talk about the stepmom and stepchild relationship from a perspective stepmoms do not often get to hear: the adult stepdaughter looking back.
Robin shares what she wishes her own stepmothers had understood, what she now sees differently as an adult, and why giving stepchildren space to maintain their relationship with their biological parent can actually help build trust with a stepparent.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:• What Robin wishes her stepmothers had understood about her behavior as a child
• Why stepchildren may need one on one time with their biological parent, and why stepmoms should not take that personally
• How stepmoms can become a safe adult without trying to replace a child's mother
• Why education and realistic expectations matter before and during stepfamily life
Resources Mentioned:• Learn more about Robin: https://robinbruner.com
• Follow Robin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/
• Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
REWIND: What To Do When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You
When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You: Dealing With a High Conflict Bio Mom There are some parts of becoming a stepmom you expect to be complicated. Your relationship with your partner's ex probably isn't one of them …
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When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You: Dealing With a High Conflict Bio Mom
There are some parts of becoming a stepmom you expect to be complicated.
Your relationship with your partner's ex probably isn't one of them.
But when you're dealing with a high conflict bio mom, suddenly someone outside your marriage can affect your schedule, your relationship with your stepchildren, and sometimes even how peaceful your own home feels.
And if you're someone who is used to being liked? It can be especially hard to understand why this person seems determined not to like you.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries podcast from 2021, Cameron talks about how stepmoms can navigate conflict with a biological mom without getting pulled deeper into the drama. She also shares one of her favorite communication strategies for high conflict situations: the BIFF method developed by Bill Eddy of the High Conflict Institute.
In this episode, you'll learn:How to create healthier boundaries with a high conflict bio mom
How the BIFF communication method can keep difficult conversations from escalating
Why protecting kids from adult conflict and loyalty binds matters so much
How to stop waiting for bio mom to like, approve of, or validate you
One of the biggest shifts Cameron talks about is realizing that you do not have to convince your stepchildren's mom that you are a good person, a good partner, or a good stepmom.
You can control your boundaries. You can control how you communicate. You can control the environment you help create inside your own home.
You cannot control what she thinks about you.
And sometimes accepting that is where the peace starts.
Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeGet your FREE copy of my guide"10 Quick Tips To Dealing With Your Spouse's Ex" that you can download here: https://stepfamilycircle.com/high-conflict-ex-tips
Bill Eddy, of The High Conflict Institute, has some great resources to deal with high-conflict situations - both in blended families and in the workplace.
Another great resource is Stepmom Magazine - an online publication with the tagline, "Even when it's good, it's complicated."
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Are You Still Trying to Earn Your Place? The Father Wound in Stepmom Life | Terri Cole
Have you ever felt like you have to be helpful enough, easygoing enough, or needed enough to truly earn your place in your stepfamily? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole joins Cameron to explore …
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Have you ever felt like you have to be helpful enough, easygoing enough, or needed enough to truly earn your place in your stepfamily? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole joins Cameron to explore how a father wound in stepmom life can quietly show up as overfunctioning, people pleasing, resentment, and the belief that everyone else's needs should come before your own.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why high achieving, capable women can still carry a deep worthiness wound
How overfunctioning and constantly putting yourself last can become your way of trying to belong
How to tell when a difficult stepfamily situation may also be activating something from your past
How stepmoms can help children feel seen, valued, and emotionally safe without trying to replace a parent
Terri also shares her own experience becoming a stepmom to three teenage boys and why she believes stepmoms have to stop silently suffering, walking on eggshells, and waiting for someone else to give them permission to matter.
Resources From This EpisodeTerri Cole's new book, Father Wound Learn more and preorder at fatherwoundbook.com. Terri also shares information there about her virtual Father Wound retreat for preorder customers.
Connect with Terri Cole Find Terri, her work, podcast, upcoming appearances, and more at terricole.com.
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
The "Ours Baby" in a Blended Family: What No One Tells You | Amanda Gonzales, LCMHC & Morgan Lindahl
What happens when you have an ours baby in a blended family and suddenly one child is staying home while their siblings leave for another house? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with …
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What happens when you have an ours baby in a blended family and suddenly one child is staying home while their siblings leave for another house?
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Morgan Lindahl and Amanda Gonzales, two moms and stepmoms who created a resource specifically for the children in blended families who stay behind when their siblings transition between homes.
Morgan shares how becoming a biological mom changed the way she saw herself as a stepmom and gave her a new perspective on her stepchildren, their mom, and the emotions that come with moving between two homes. Amanda brings both her personal experience and her background as a children's therapist to the conversation, including why predictability and consistency can look very different in a blended family.
They also talk about something that does not get nearly enough attention: what life feels like for an "ours" baby in a blended family when their brothers or sisters leave. For some kids, transition day means suddenly going from a full house to being the only child at home, and those repeated goodbyes can bring some very big feelings.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How having an ours baby can change your identity and confidence as both a mom and stepmom
Why sibling transitions can be especially emotional for the child who stays behind
How to create connection and security when blended family schedules are constantly changing
Why intention and self compassion matter when you cannot make every transition feel easy
Morgan and Amanda also share the story behind their book, How Many More Days?!, which was created to help children process the goodbyes, waiting, and reunions that come with having siblings who live between two homes.
Resources MentionedLearn more about Morgan and Amanda's work and Pre-order a copy of the book, How Many More Days?! & get their 25 Transition Day Rituals download for FREE! Simply add both products to your cart and use the code: STEPMOMDIARIES https://forthekidswhostay.com
Follow Amanda & Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forthekidswho.stay/
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
When Sex Starts Feeling Like a Chore: Rebuilding Intimacy in Your Marriage | Meygan & Casey Caston
When sex starts feeling like one more thing on the to do list, it is easy to assume something is wrong with your relationship. But often, what is happening in the bedroom has a lot more to do with what is …
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When sex starts feeling like one more thing on the to do list, it is easy to assume something is wrong with your relationship. But often, what is happening in the bedroom has a lot more to do with what is happening outside of it.
In this episode, I sit down with marriage coaches and Marriage365 founders Meygan and Casey Caston for an honest conversation about intimacy in marriage, sex, resentment, mismatched desire, and why couples need to actually talk about the things they would rather avoid.
For stepmoms, this conversation hits especially close to home. Blended family life can come with stress, complicated schedules, parenting conflict, emotional exhaustion, and resentment that slowly chips away at connection between partners.
Meygan and Casey share practical ways couples can rebuild trust and intimacy, including why scheduling sex might actually help your relationship instead of hurting the romance.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why intimacy in marriage starts with trust, not sex • How resentment outside the bedroom can affect connection inside it • Why scheduling sex can actually create more anticipation and intimacy • How couples with mismatched sex drives can stop keeping score and start communicating
They also break down their four Fs of a healthy sex life: foreplay, frequency, feelings, and fun, and share a simple way to start a conversation about sex with your partner without making it awkward or confrontational.
If intimacy has started getting pushed to the bottom of the list, this episode is a reminder that connection rarely happens because you magically find the time. Sometimes you have to intentionally make it.
Resources MentionedCheck out Marriage365.com
Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
- The Stepmom Diaries Podcast: Ep 96. A Better Marriage Starts With A Better You, with Casey & Megan Caston
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Is Your Therapist Using the Wrong Map? What Therapy for Stepfamilies Should Look Like
Have you ever left therapy feeling heard, but not truly understood? Maybe you were told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, present a united front, or step up and discipline your stepchildren …
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Have you ever left therapy feeling heard, but not truly understood?
Maybe you were told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, present a united front, or step up and discipline your stepchildren. You followed the advice, and somehow things got even harder.
That does not mean you failed.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron explains why therapy for stepfamilies can go sideways when professionals apply advice designed for first families to blended families.
Most therapists are not given meaningful training in stepfamily dynamics during graduate school or through continuing education. As a result, even a skilled and caring therapist may be working from the wrong family map.
Cameron breaks down the gap between what research tells us about stepfamilies and what actually reaches the professionals supporting them. She also shares four practical questions you can ask to determine whether a therapist understands how stepfamilies really work.
In this episode, you will learn:
• Why traditional family therapy advice can make stepfamily challenges worse
• How stepfamily relationships develop differently from relationships in first families
• Four questions to ask a therapist about their stepfamily training and approach
• What a healthy and realistic stepparent and stepchild relationship can look like
The goal is not to criticize therapy or convince you to leave a therapist you trust. It is to help you recognize whether your family is receiving advice that reflects the research on stepfamily development.
You are not failing because advice created for a different kind of family did not work for yours. You may simply need a therapist who understands the unique structure, pace, and challenges of stepfamily life.
Resources Mentioned- Upgrade your bedtime with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and pajamas, and use code STEPMOMDIARIES at CozyEarth.com for up to 20% off.
- Patricia Papernow's research and clinical work on stepfamily development
- Todd Jensen's research on stepfamilies and the gap between research and professional practice
- Patricia Papernow's clinical book for professionals working with stepfamilies
- Stepfamily Solutions and its evidence-based approach to stepfamily coaching
- Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Lost Yourself in Stepmotherhood? How Curiosity Can Help You Find Yourself Again | Amy Nesbitt
When you became a stepmom, you probably expected your life to change. What you may not have expected was how easy it would be to lose yourself in the process. Between navigating stepfamily dynamics, supporting …
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When you became a stepmom, you probably expected your life to change.
What you may not have expected was how easy it would be to lose yourself in the process.
Between navigating stepfamily dynamics, supporting your partner, caring for children, managing schedules, and trying to keep the peace, many stepmoms quietly put their own dreams, interests, and identity on hold.
In this episode, Cameron sits down with former Apple executive, creator of Whole Wellness Mamas, and speaker Amy Nesbitt to explore how curiosity can become one of the most powerful tools for rediscovering yourself. Rather than making massive life changes, Amy shares how small "experiments" can help you reconnect with the person you've always been—and maybe even discover someone new.
They also discuss how curiosity can improve marriages, strengthen relationships with stepchildren, reduce conflict, and help blended families communicate with more empathy.
In this episode, you'll learn:Why so many stepmoms lose their identity after joining a blended family
How curiosity helps you reconnect with yourself
The power of tiny experiments instead of overwhelming life changes
Practical ways to make time for yourself without guilt
Simple ways to connect with your stepchildren through shared experiences
How curiosity can reduce conflict in stepfamily dynamics
Whether you've been a stepmom for six months or sixteen years, this conversation will remind you that rediscovering yourself doesn't require changing your entire life- it simply begins with being curious.
Resources Mentioned• Learn more about Amy Nesbitt: https://wholewellnessmamas.com
• Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholewellnessmamas
• This Japanese American Life YouTube Channel
• Join the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit: https://thestepmomsummit.com
• Free Resource: Download our 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Amy Porterfield on Finding Your Identity as a Stepmom
Finding your stepmom identity can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to figure out where you fit in your blended family. Bestselling author Amy Porterfield knows that feeling well. Long before …
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Finding your stepmom identity can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to figure out where you fit in your blended family. Bestselling author Amy Porterfield knows that feeling well. Long before she became one of the world's most recognized business educators, she was learning the same lessons so many stepmoms face today.
In this candid conversation, Amy opens up about the emotional journey of discovering her stepmom identity. She shares what it was like trying to earn her stepson's love, the pressure she felt to be the "perfect" stepmom, and the moment she realized she did not need to replace his mom to build a meaningful relationship.
If you have ever questioned your place in your blended family or wondered whether you are doing enough, this episode will remind you that your stepmom identity is not something you earn. It is something you grow into over time.
In this episode, you'll learn:Why developing your stepmom identity takes time and why that is completely normal.
How to build a meaningful relationship with your stepchildren without trying to replace their mom.
Why perfectionism keeps so many stepmoms from feeling confident in their role.
How embracing your unique place in your blended family leads to stronger relationships.
Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Is It Really Parental Alienation? How to Recognize the Signs and Protect Your Family | Amy J.L. Baker, PhD
One day your stepchild is excited to see you and your spouse... and the next they're distant, angry, or refusing visits altogether. Is it normal family conflict? Is it the stress of divorce? Or could it be …
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One day your stepchild is excited to see you and your spouse... and the next they're distant, angry, or refusing visits altogether.
Is it normal family conflict? Is it the stress of divorce? Or could it be parental alienation?
In this episode, Cameron sits down with internationally recognized researcher and author Amy J.L. Baker, PhD, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in divorce and blended families. Together, they discuss what parental alienation really is, how it differs from legitimate estrangement, and what parents and stepparents should know if they suspect someone is interfering with a child's relationship with the other parent.
Dr. Baker also explains her evidence-based Five-Factor Model, common parental alienation strategies, and how stepparents can support their partner without making an already difficult situation worse.
In this episode, you'll learn:What parental alienation actually is, and what it isn't
The difference between alienation and justified estrangement
The Five-Factor Model used to identify parental alienation
Common strategies that can damage a parent-child relationship
If this episode encouraged or helped you, please share it with another stepmom, parent, or blended family who may need to hear this conversation.
Resources MentionedAmy J.L. Baker, PhD: https://www.amyjlbaker.com/
Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome by Amy J.L. Baker
Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Eve Rodsky on the Mental Load in Blended Families
Are you the one tracking the dentist appointments, school forms, birthday gifts, custody schedules, groceries, and all the details everyone else seems to forget? That invisible work has a name: the mental load …
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Are you the one tracking the dentist appointments, school forms, birthday gifts, custody schedules, groceries, and all the details everyone else seems to forget?
That invisible work has a name: the mental load.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, I'm sharing my conversation with Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space. We talk about the mental load in blended families and why so many stepmoms feel exhausted from carrying invisible labor no one else sees.
This conversation is honest, validating, and so needed for stepmoms who feel like they are holding everything together behind the scenes.
In this episode, we cover:
Why stepmoms often carry the invisible labor
How the mental load shows up differently in blended families
Why boundaries and communication have to come before systems
The real antidote to burnout
Resources Mentioned
Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Get on the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit happening September 14th-18th, 2026!
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
The Comments Every Stepmom Hates and Exactly How to Respond | Listener Favorite Replay
We've all been there. Someone makes a comment about being a stepmom that they probably mean well... but it still stings. "You knew what you were getting into." "At least you get a break." "They're not really …
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We've all been there.
Someone makes a comment about being a stepmom that they probably mean well... but it still stings.
"You knew what you were getting into." "At least you get a break." "They're not really your kids."
In the moment, it's hard to know what to say. Later, you think of the perfect response.
This listener-favorite replay is packed with practical, gracious ways to respond to some of the most common (and frustrating) comments stepmoms hear—while also helping friends and family better understand the realities of blended family life.
Whether you're new to your stepfamily or years into the journey, this episode will help you navigate these awkward conversations with confidence and compassion.
In this episode:Why "You knew what you were getting into" misses the reality of stepfamily life
Thoughtful responses to common stepmom comments
How to respond to friends and family without becoming defensive
Ways to protect your peace while building stronger relationships
If this episode encourages you, please share it with another stepmom who needs the reminder that she's not alone.
Resources MentionedGrab our FREE "10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms": https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
What LGBTQ Families Want You to Know About Parenting, Acceptance, and Belonging | Jaimie Kelton & José Rolón
Have you ever realized that the things that make a family look different on the outside don't change what matters most on the inside? In this episode, I sit down with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón to talk about …
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Have you ever realized that the things that make a family look different on the outside don't change what matters most on the inside?
In this episode, I sit down with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón to talk about LGBTQ families, parenting, belonging, and the many ways families are built. From infertility and surrogacy to stepfamily dynamics and family acceptance, we explore the challenges and joys of creating a family that may not fit society's traditional expectations.
What stood out most in this conversation is how much LGBTQ families and blended families have in common. The desire to love, connect, belong, and create a safe home for our children is universal.
In this episode, we cover:
• The unique paths many LGBTQ families take to parenthood • Why representation and visibility matter for kids and families • The double standards faced by stepmoms, stepdads, and modern families • How to teach children about different family structures with openness and acceptance
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend and help us continue creating conversations that celebrate all kinds of families.
Resources Mentioned
Follow José Rolón on Instagram @NYCGayDad
https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families looking for practical guidance, validation, and encouragement.
When the Rules Change House to House: How Kids Navigate Values Across Two Homes | Bailey Oliver Blackburn, PhD
Ever feel like your stepkids are living in two completely different worlds? The rules change from house to house, expectations don't always match, and somehow everyone expects the kids to make sense of it all …
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Ever feel like your stepkids are living in two completely different worlds? The rules change from house to house, expectations don't always match, and somehow everyone expects the kids to make sense of it all.
In this episode, I sit down with researcher, professor, stepmom, and former stepchild Bailey Oliver Blackburn, PhD to discuss new research on co-parenting with different values and what happens when children are navigating two households with very different beliefs, expectations, and parenting styles.
Bailey shares insights from a recent study exploring how co-parents manage divergent values, the impact on children, and the communication strategies that help families reduce conflict and support kids without forcing them to choose sides.
In This Episode, We Cover:• What happens when children are raised across households with different values and beliefs • The surprising challenges families reported beyond politics and religion • How parents can discuss values without putting kids in loyalty binds • Why high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting deserve more research
If you've ever wondered how to protect your relationship with your stepkids while navigating differences between households, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of reassurance that you're not alone.
Resources MentionedBailey Oliver Blackburn: https://www.baileyoliverblackburn.com
UA Little Rock Department of Applied Communication: https://ualr.edu/appliedcommunication/
Get our FREE 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms and get the exact words for your toughest stepmom conversations! https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Join the waitlist for our free Stepmom Summit happening virtually September 14th-18th, 2026: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more stepmoms and blended families who need these conversations.
Why Overwhelmed Stepmoms Feel Like They're Drowning (Even When They're Doing Everything Right) | Lisa Woodruff
Ever feel like you're carrying everyone else's responsibilities while somehow still feeling like you're failing? Yeah... you're not alone. In this episode, I'm chatting with organizational expert and Escaping …
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Ever feel like you're carrying everyone else's responsibilities while somehow still feeling like you're failing? Yeah... you're not alone.
In this episode, I'm chatting with organizational expert and Escaping Quicksand author Lisa Woodruff to talk about why so many overwhelmed stepmoms feel like they're drowning, even when they're doing everything right.
We dive into the invisible load many women carry, the unique challenge of having responsibility without control in a blended family, and practical ways to create more peace, structure, and boundaries in your daily life.
In this episode, we cover:• Why stepmoms often feel responsible for everything but in control of very little
• The invisible mental load that contributes to stepmom burnout
• How weekly planning conversations can reduce stress and resentment
• Simple ways to reclaim control and prioritize your own self-care
Resources MentionedGet Lisa's book Escaping Quicksand: https://escapingquicksand.com
Organize 365: Practical organization systems, planning tools, and resources designed to help busy women reduce overwhelm and create a more functional home and life.
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: Follow Lisa Woodruff for insights on organization, productivity, household management, and personal development.
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?
Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need these conversations.
The Worst Things People Say to Stepmoms (And Why They Hurt So Much)
"You knew what you signed up for." If you're a stepmom, chances are you've heard that phrase before. Maybe it's, "At least you get every other week off." Or, "Why do you care so much? They're not your kids." …
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"You knew what you signed up for."
If you're a stepmom, chances are you've heard that phrase before. Maybe it's, "At least you get every other week off." Or, "Why do you care so much? They're not your kids." And if you're anything like me, those comments don't just annoy you. They stick with you.
In this episode, I'm unpacking some of the worst things people say to stepmoms, why these comments hurt so much, and how to stop letting other people's opinions define your role in your family. We'll talk about the hidden emotional load many stepmoms carry, the unique challenges of stepfamily life, and what to do when someone completely misses the reality of what you're experiencing.
In This Episode, We Cover:Why comments like "You knew what you signed up for" feel so invalidating
The hidden emotional load and role ambiguity many stepmoms carry
What to say when someone misunderstands your role in the family
How to build confidence in your place within your blended family
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepfamilysolutions/
Check out the 5-part series I did on "Things People Say to Stepmoms" HERE
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Join us at The Stepmom Retreat in Florida | Nov. 6–8, 2026: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat] A weekend for stepmoms who are tired of feeling alone in this role and ready for real connection, support, and growth:
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Why Summer Is So Hard for Stepmoms (And How to Protect Your Peace)
Anybody else look at the summer custody schedule and immediately feel their eye start twitching? 😅 In this episode, we're talking about why summer hits so differently in a blended family and why so many …
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Anybody else look at the summer custody schedule and immediately feel their eye start twitching? 😅
In this episode, we're talking about why summer hits so differently in a blended family and why so many stepmoms head into this season already feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and exhausted before it even begins.
From schedule changes and camp logistics to vacation drama and invisible labor, summer can bring out every existing stress point in stepfamily life. But you are not powerless in it.
In this episode, we cover:
Why summer creates so much stress for stepmoms
The hidden mental load many stepmoms carry during this season
How to protect your peace instead of trying to make summer "perfect"
Simple communication and boundary strategies that actually help
If summer in your blended family already feels chaotic before it's even started, this episode will help you feel less alone and a whole lot more prepared.
Resources we mentioned in this episode:
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy: [https://stepfamilycertification.com/]
The Stepmom Retreat: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat]
The Simple Question That Helped Our Blended Family Finally Connect | Ashley Noelle
Blending a family is hard. Blending a family with three teenagers? Absolute chaos sometimes. 😅 In this episode, I'm talking with Ashley Noelle, creator of Blended Bond, about the small communication shift that …
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Blending a family is hard. Blending a family with three teenagers? Absolute chaos sometimes. 😅
In this episode, I'm talking with Ashley Noelle, creator of Blended Bond, about the small communication shift that completely changed the way her blended family connected.
Ashley shares what it was really like bringing together two completely different households (a structured mother-daughter home and a loud, sports-heavy boy house) and how trying to make everything "perfect" actually created more pressure for everyone.
This conversation is honest, emotional, and incredibly validating for any stepmom who feels like she's trying so hard to hold everything together while still figuring it out herself.
Inside this episode:
- Why "How was your day?" often stops working with stepkids and teens
- The simple question that helped lower tension in their home almost immediately
- What kids in blended families may be silently carrying emotionally
- Why trying to be the "perfect stepmom" usually backfires
- Small ways to create more connection without forcing it
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the reminder that blended families don't need perfection to feel connected. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when everyone feels safe enough to be honest.
Resources MentionedBlended Bond Conversation Cards: [https://blendedbond.com/]
Follow Ashley + Blended Bond on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/theblendedbond/]
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
123: Stepmom Grief: The Hidden Loss No One Talks About | Rachel Dunne
Ever felt like stepmom life isn't what you expected- and no matter how hard you try, you're carrying a weight you can't quite explain? If you've felt resentment, guilt, or even questioned your choices, this …
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Ever felt like stepmom life isn't what you expected- and no matter how hard you try, you're carrying a weight you can't quite explain? If you've felt resentment, guilt, or even questioned your choices, this episode will hit home.
In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Dunne, licensed counselor, certified stepfamily coach, and founder of Spiritual Stepmom. Rachel shares her personal journey into stepmotherhood and opens up about the stepmom grief no one talks about- the hidden sense of loss, emotional overwhelm, and internal conflict that so many women experience but rarely say out loud. She also brings her clinical expertise to help stepmoms understand what's really happening beneath the surface- and how to begin healing.
Key takeaways from this episode:
The stepmom grief no one talks about- and why it's completely normal
How resentment and emotional shutdown happen when grief goes unprocessed
Why stepfamily life triggers loss- not just love
How repair (not perfection) can actually strengthen your relationship with your stepkids
If you've ever thought, "This is harder than I expected," or felt alone in your experience as a stepmom, this episode will remind you- you're not broken, and you're definitely not the only one.
Resources Mentioned:
Rachel Dunne Coaching: https://racheldunnecoaching.com
Follow Rachel on Instagram: @spiritualstepmom
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
122: Mother's Day for Stepmoms: How to Handle the Hurt, Expectations & Plan Your Day
If Mother's Day feels more painful than joyful as a stepmom… you're not alone. While everyone else is celebrating, many stepmoms are left feeling unseen, unacknowledged, or unsure where they fit. In this …
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If Mother's Day feels more painful than joyful as a stepmom… you're not alone.
While everyone else is celebrating, many stepmoms are left feeling unseen, unacknowledged, or unsure where they fit. In this episode, Cameron Normand breaks down why Mother's Day for stepmoms can feel so heavy—and reminds you that it's not because you're doing anything wrong.
More importantly, you'll walk away with a simple, empowering plan to help you navigate the day with more clarity, confidence, and peace.
In This Episode, We Talk About:Why Mother's Day hits differently in blended families
The hidden grief and expectation gap stepmoms experience
The truth about validation (and why it's not a measure of your worth)
A simple plan to take back control of your Mother's Day
You deserve to feel seen—on Mother's Day and every day. Hit play to go into this year feeling supported, grounded, and a little less alone.
Resources MentionedGet our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Want to join us where you can take the time to find yourself again? Get on the waitlist for The Stepmom Retreat happening Nov. 6-8, 2026 in Siesta Key, Florida!
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
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