A marriage that brings with it children from a previous marriage presents many challenges. According to Dr. Patricia L. Papernow, these challenges go through a Seven Stage Model of Stepfamily Development. My husband and I are eight years into our stepfamily, and I can honestly say that we have just […]
How does your stepdaughter deal with switching back and forth between houses during the week? I get asked this question so often when chatting with others about my family’s blended dynamic. Although the ideal custodial arrangement between two separate parents is always 50/50, more often than not it doesn’t happen. […]
I am often discredited as a stepmom blogger because my relationship with K’s mom is so great. I take very little credit for our positive relationship; that was all Amanda, K’s biological mother (BM). She has chosen to invite me into her daughter’s life and treat me as an equal […]
As a child, I was one of those unfortunate children with a unique enough name that I was never able to find cups, keychains, jewelry, and other items with my name on them. Although I do not currently long for a pencil case or novelty license plate imprinted with “Audrey,” […]
I’ve always believed that, with the right attitude and perseverance, just about anything is possible! This is probably why I imagined that with two willing hearts and a can-do spirit that becoming a stepmom and blending families would be a relatively simple process. I liked my husband’s children, and they […]
Parenthood. It’s scary, it’s rewarding, it’s nothing you’ve ever done before. Having kids wasn’t on your cards yet, or maybe even ever, but now you find yourself dating someone with kids. Here, here! That was me 7 years ago. I raise a glass of wine to you because life is […]
I go by many names and titles. I am Audrey: a wife, mother, friend, writer, and case manager among many others. I answer to different names depending on the situation or who I’m dealing with. A name is more than just a word used for identification, it also incorporates relationships […]
