Stepchildren

Mama J on December 8th, 2011

When I was six or seven, I had two pet names for my father – Naa and Ego. Although I don’t remember their origin, I suppose I was following suit from seeing the diminutives my parents used for each other on Christmas gift tags and Valentine’s Day cards. (P.B. and E.S., which stood for something […]

Continue reading about No E-G-O in A-C-C-E-P-T-A-N-C-E

Mama J on November 2nd, 2011

Most of my blogs this season have been quite cheery. It didn’t seem fair to myself or to you to continue in this vein without expressing at least a little sadness as well.  Overall, our stepfamily has come a long way. To be honest, I only use the “step” words in this blog or other […]

Continue reading about The Grey Side

Mama J on September 28th, 2011

Last Saturday our oldest daughter, my stepdaughter, was the first of our kids to get married! Click here to read part 1 of my post. I promised more details about the ways the wedding ceremony balanced honor and acceptance. First of all, Brianna’s aunt (who is Brianna’s mom’s sister and was her best friend) attended […]

Continue reading about Wedding Ceremony Balances Honor and Acceptance, part 2

Mama J on September 23rd, 2011

I was waiting for the actual “big day” to tell you about it!  Our oldest child and daughter (my stepdaughter) got married this past Saturday! What a special day, and YES, we love her husband. This is an event that I always knew would raise questions of balance between past and present in our family, […]

Continue reading about Wedding Ceremony Balances Honor and Acceptance, part 1

Mama J on June 30th, 2009

Your turn!  The purpose of today’s post is to ask your opinions about how stepparents and schools can work together to strengthen the school-to-home connection.  (Yes, I’m looking ahead to fall…or some of you may have kids who go to school year round.)  You do not need to be registered on the blog to post […]

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Mama J on February 18th, 2009

This is the third in a Wednesday post series about the role of the parent in stepfamilies.   Stepfamilies might feel more cohesive if the parent is able to: Be the central hub of the stepfamily. Be the main disciplinarian in the stepfamily. Be physically available (present). Be emotionally available (interested).  Today we’re looking at how […]

Continue reading about Role Blockers, Part Two

Mama J on February 4th, 2009

We talk a lot about stepparenting on this blog.  However, successful stepparenting is integrally dependent upon the role the children’s parent (the partner you the stepparent live with) plays in the family.  As a family rebuilds itself and creates a new identity, the parent remains the key link between past, present, and future.  I’ve researched, […]

Continue reading about The Steadfast Parent’s Role in Stepfamilies

Mama J on December 17th, 2008

Wondering how to relate to your second set of in-laws?  If all else fails, keep the spotlight on their relationship with your stepchildren (their grandchildren).  That is the relationship that most needs to flourish. When I started obtaining endorsements for my book, Stepparenting the Grieving Child, I picked up a lot of advice about what […]

Continue reading about The Second Set of In-Laws

Mama J on December 10th, 2008

Life appears to be too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrong. — Charlotte Bronte I have been struggling with what I perceive as a phase in the relationship with one of my stepchildren.  I’ve been feeling rejected, as if I’m not a person of any significance in this child’s life. Then […]

Continue reading about Choose to Love