co-parenting

If you have a friend or family member who married a man with kids, it may not have occurred to you that there are things you should never say to stepmoms. It certainly hadn't occurred to me until I became a stepmom. There are, of course, all kinds of supportive things that you can do [...]

Every stepmom needs her spouse to be her partner in order to succeed. That partnership looks different for every couple, but there are some common threads that should weave together every blended family relationship. I've written before about how hard it was to transition into stepmotherhood. And how alone it can feel. And how so [...]

We all know a stepmom's role is unusual. And whether you're called "stepmonster" or "bonus mom", the role is much more complicated than any name you've got. It can be a constant struggle to let go of the anger caused by tough family dynamics. So we decided we would lighten things up and have some fun. [...]

I've jumped full-heartedly into loving my stepchildren, but that doesn't mean our blended family has been all been sunshine and unicorns. One of the difficulties in our blended family involves co-parenting.

One of the biggest stories that broke this week was a jaw-dropping admissions scandal involving some of the most prestigious universities in the country. The case will have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. It is also an exclamation-point lesson in parenting.

For blended families, there is an added dynamic to our relationships and love for each other: choice.