Stepmomming Made Easy
Is stepmomming the most challenging thing you’ve ever done in your life? If so, you’re in the right place!
Welcome to the Stepmomming Made Easy podcast, where your host, Certified Stepparent Coach Kristen Skiles will ensure you never feel alone on this stepmom journey again. We’ll never be able to predict every stressor or struggle you could anticipate as a stepmom, but each week, you’ll learn new tools and techniques to prioritize your peace. Tune in for your weekly dose of validation, inspiration, and step-by-step guidance to build a stepmom life you love.
Stepmomming Made Easy
EP 76: You Can't Force It: What Research Says About Teen Stepkids with Dr. Todd Jensen
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In this episode of Stepmomming Made Easy, I sit down with Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW to unpack what research really says about building strong stepfamily relationships—especially when pre-teen and teen stepchildren are involved. We talk about why authenticity matters more than perfection, why discipline may not be your domain, and how to create connection without forcing it. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up as your true self and still build meaningful relationships with your stepkids, this episode offers validation and science-backed guidance you can use right away.
Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW is the Gary Stuck Faculty Scholar in Education and an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science in the School of Education and a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His scholarship focuses on understanding how to leverage youths’ connection to stepparents as a unique developmental asset and identifying factors that promote high-quality stepparent-child relationships, particularly those involving adolescent children.
Links Mentioned:
https://www.instagram.com/drtoddjensen/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddjensenphd/
Research Article: https://doi.org/10.1080/28375300.2025.2530241
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