Grief & Shame as a Stepmom - Firsts, The Life You Didn’t Have w/ Guest Megan McLaren

Co-Parenting & Communication with the Ex, Birthdays & Holidays: In this episode we deep-dive into the different communication styles Alyse and Bailey have (or don't have) with the bio-mom. We talk through co-parenting challenges, how we handle birthdays, sporting events, and holidays... and most importantly: how we s... by Stepmonster

34 min listen

Bio-Dad Perspectives on Having a Wife & Ex-Wife: There are two sides to every story, and this week, we invited our husbands to tell their side. We dig in with them on what it was like to bring another "mom" into the picture, what some of the challenges they had were, and what advice they might give to ... by Stepmonster

40 min listen

Meet Bailey and Alyse, The Stepmonsters: Bailey and Alyse are stepmoms to two kids each, and each with their own stories, challenges, laughs, and advice to give. Listen in as we discuss some of the most discussed topics between stepmoms and dads alike. by Stepmonster

20 min listen

Discipline, resent, COVID homeschooling & outsider feelings w/ full-time stepmom Joslynn Flowers: We had the pleasure of having Joslynn Flowers, host of the Daily Stepmom Podcast on this episode, and it was wonderful! Joslynn is a full-time stepmom and brings a different perspective to our listeners. We let all our guards down and talked about discip... by Stepmonster

35 min listen

Sneaky Teenagers, Cell Phones, Social Media & Maintaining Sanity: Being a parent to any kid is rewarding and hard all at the same time. But the teenage years? Buckle up, babes. In this episode, we share some of the best stories from our stepkids' teenage years, talk about the challenges with step-parenting and cell pho... by Stepmonster

43 min listen

Childless Stepmoms vs. Having an ”Ours” Baby: The decision to have a baby with your significant other is deeply personal and when you're blending into a family with children already, it can get complicated. In this episode, you'll get to hear two completely different perspectives and scenarios on ha... by Stepmonster

29 min listen

Moving in Together and Blending Your Family: Moving into a blended home and building an environment for all to thrive can be... HARD. There's no getting around that. On this episode we discuss all the challenges that come along with blending a home, moving into the marital home, and eventually havi... by Stepmonster

40 min listen

Disengaging, Parenting Disagreements, & Tough Convos w/ your Partner: In this episode, we unpack the idea of disengaging (together in person for the first time!). The how, the why, the when. With the kids, with the bio mom, or even with parenting in your own house. We also touch on how to handle disagreements in parenting ... by Stepmonster

27 min listen

Boundaries, No Nips Rules, & ”Alone-time” Mishaps: How do you set boundaries with your stepkids? Your partner? The bio mom? We still aren't sure we have it 100% right, but our stumbles along the way are now for your entertainment. Hear how we set boundaries in our homes to keep sane. by Stepmonster

39 min listen

Inside a Stepdaughter’s Mind & Things to Avoid for Stepmoms: So many of us wish we knew what it was like to walk a mile in our stepkids' shoes or just hear raw and real feelings from the horse's mouth. What should we do? What should we avoid? What are things we do to make their lives harder or easier? What were th... by Stepmonster

42 min listen

Feeling Insecure & Compared, and Discipline vs. Respect: We've all dealt with some kind of insecurities in our lives, especially in a stepmom role. In this episode, we touch on feedback directly from followers on how they've felt uncertain and insecure. We give you our best advice on how to handle feeling comp... by Stepmonster

41 min listen

Choosing Happy, InstaMOM Challenges, Boundaries w/ BM, & Instagram Q’s: In this episode, a good friend and fellow stepmom Kali joins us to discuss how she dealt with becoming an InstaMOMMY to her 4 stepkids when she and her husband met, followed by having a child of her own. She also shares with us (and luckily all of you) h... by Stepmonster

48 min listen

Handling the Haters: Listen - haters are inevitable as a stepmom. It might be the bio mom who hates you simply for marrying her ex, it might be the kids who resent you for trying to be their new mom, it may even be your husband's family, or anyone in the world. They feel jus... by Stepmonster

21 min listen

A StepDAD’s Perspective on Love, Challenges, & Embarrassing Stories: This episode is packed full of fun. We'll start off by Bailey finally sharing what her step-daughter found in one of her tampon boxes (WOOPS! Parenting high over here...). Additionally, have you ever been curious as to whether or not being a stepDAD is ... by Stepmonster

33 min listen

Minisode | Manipulative BM, No Court Order, Bed-Wetting, & Behavior Concerns: Our mini-episodes are entirely dedicated to sharing YOUR story. Each episode features one submission from our followers where we read the situation and give our take. In this episode, we unpack a complicated situation where there is no court order in pla... by Stepmonster

14 min listen

Back to School, Stepmom Involvement, Events, & Disengaging: We're discussing all things school-related for stepmoms in this episode. Here's a full list of topics covered: Back to School Stepmom Involvement Stepmom School Rights Registration Parent-Teacher Conferences Homework Management School Events Graduations ... by Stepmonster

33 min listen

Growing up w/ ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorder: Inside the mind with guest, Austin: In this episode, we have a special guest! Bailey's 25-year-old brother Austin joins us. Austin was diagnosed with ADHD at age 7, and Asperger's Syndrome (now formally called Autism Spectrum Disorder) at age 14. He gives us all a glimpse into his childhoo... by Stepmonster

33 min listen

Mother’s Day as a Stepmom & Unfiltered Feelings About It: Mother's Day gives us mixed feelings. For some of us, it's a day of celebration and time with our family. For others, it's a day filled with sadness and disappointment. With two diverse dynamics, Alyse and Bailey explore Mother's Day both as a stepmom wi... by Stepmonster

54 min listen

Minisode | In-Laws Still Close to BM, Chauffeur Duties for Kids: Our mini-episodes are entirely dedicated to sharing YOUR story. Each episode features one submission from our followers where we read the situation and give our take. Here is this week's submission: So my main complaint for years now has been the fact th... by Stepmonster

15 min listen

Custody, Child Support, Stepmom Rights & Advice w/ Family Law Attorney, Koryn Sheppard: Episode topic guide: Custody & Evaluations [3:00] Stepmom Involvement & Rights [5:34] How Koryn's perspective as a family law attorney has changed since becoming a stepmom [9:30] Schedule Changes, Schedule Rule Breakers [13:50] Changing Custody Agreement... by Stepmonster

53 min listen

Minisode | How close is too close to the bio-mom?: In this episode, we read a submission from a stepmom struggling with the relationship her husband has with his ex. We unpack her story and ask ourselves where the lines are: how close is TOO close? When do you have the right to feel uncomfortable (spoile... by Stepmonster

13 min listen

Parental Alienation & Always Feeling Defensive: Parental Alienation is defined as "something which primarily occurs during a high-conflict divorce in which the child identifies strongly with one parent, usually the custodial parent. The other parent is hated and rejected without any justifiable reason... by Stepmonster

38 min listen

Grief & Shame as a Stepmom - Firsts, The Life You Didn’t Have w/ Guest Megan McLaren: In this episode we welcome guest, Megan McLaren. Megan resides in Alberta and is a mom to twins, stepmom, social worker, and certified life coach. We tlk through Megan's experience as a stepmom and how she overcame grief and grieving the life she never g... by Stepmonster

52 min listen

Finances, Clothes Debates, Expense-Sharing, & Stepmom Obligations: This episode is all about financial considerations in a stepmom role. We discuss everything from a stepmom's obligation to contribute financially (or not), sharing expenses such as clothing and extra-curricular activities, and even wills and estate plann... by Stepmonster

46 min listen

Minisode | (TW) Emotional Abuse, Protecting Your Stepkids, Should you Stay?: *TRIGGER WARNING: EMOTIONAL ABUSE* In this episode, we read a submission from a stepmom in a tough situation. With a partner who struggles with addiction and often lashes out at the kids and her, and who tries to put the stepmom in a situation where she ... by Stepmonster

13 min listen

Minisode | Bad Behavior, Walking on Eggshells, & Resent: During this episode, we read a situation from one of our very own stepmom friends who is dealing with a tough situation all around. Between feeling like a stranger in her own home, constantly walking on eggshells, a High Conflict Bio Mom (HCBM) to deal w... by Stepmonster

15 min listen

Parenting Coordinators, HCBM Wisdom, & Handling Accusations: *DISCLAIMER* This episode is NOT legal advice and is not to take the place of any conversations with an attorney. This information is simply a perspective from a fellow stepmom. For advice on how to handle your specific situation, please contact a licens... by Stepmonster

40 min listen

Minisode | HCBM, Manipulation, and Stepmom Hate: This episode is a mini from a stepmom submission who is dealing with an extreme scenario. In this case, the biomom is actually a therapist (won't be referring anyone to her after hearing this), but is severely manipulating her kids to actively dislike th... by Stepmonster

18 min listen

Coparenting between Biomom and Stepmom: What you should know w/ Guest Angelina (BM), and Kelly (SM): Kelly and Angelina are unlike any stepmom and biomom duo we've met to date. Their relationship didn't start out with hugs and mutual respect. It took a lot of self-awareness, work, and reflection from each of them to get to the point where they could suc... by Stepmonster

43 min listen

Different houses & rules, being the strict house & long-distance custody with guest, Cheryl: In this episode, we welcome guest Cheryl (who also happens to be Bailey's momma). Cheryl has been what we'll call sandwiched right in the middle of a blended family - having been through a divorce herself, having full custody of her daughter, and dealing... by Stepmonster

32 min listen

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Grief & Shame as a Stepmom - Firsts, The Life You Didn’t Have w/ Guest Megan McLaren

Grief & Shame as a Stepmom - Firsts, The Life You Didn’t Have w/ Guest Megan McLaren

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