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.
Episodes
69 episodes
EP 67: Unique Challenges of Childless Stepmotherhood with Blooming Stepmom
Calling all childless stepmoms! In today's vulnerable and heartfelt conversation, childless stepmom Lauren shares her struggles with infertility and how it impacted her role as a stepmom. She opens up about the resentment, guilt, and loss of id...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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44:45
EP 66: "Does it ever get better?" with Brenda Ockun
I'm thrilled to share this conversation with Brenda Ockun, the founder of Stepmom Magazine, who has been a wealth of knowledge and support for stepmoms worldwide for 15 years. Brenda and I dive into the common struggles stepmoms face, including...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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34:53
EP 65: One Thing You Should REALLY Stop Telling Stepmoms
In today's episode, I am getting on my "stepmom soapbox" to address the common and unhelpful statement made to stepmoms that they "knew what they were signing up for." I knew my partner had a child; I did NOT know everything that entailed. No p...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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8:29
EP 64: 3 Things to do Right Now for a More Peaceful Stepmom Life
As a stepmom, I've faced my fair share of challenges, but the struggle with control has been one of the toughest. I know how it feels to be at the mercy of custody schedules and co-parenting dynamics that don't always align with our own prefere...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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12:31
EP 63: How Becoming a Mom Changed Me as a Stepmom
In this episode, I share how becoming a mom has impacted my role as a stepmom. I discuss the challenges and benefits of balancing these two identities, and how it has transformed my relationship with my stepdaughter. I'll also answer your most ...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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14:02
EP 62: Myths about Disengaging BUSTED! with Tammy J
In today's episode, Tammy J and I discuss the myths surrounding disengaging as a stepmom. It's a conversation you really can't miss! We explain that disengaging is not about disappearing or failing, but rather an opportunity for stepmoms to ste...
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Season 3
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Episode 62
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25:28
EP 61: The Single Biggest Barrier to Thriving as a Stepmom
In today's episode, I am sharing the single biggest barrier to thriving as a stepmom. In order to create a stepmom life you love, you must first grieve the loss of the life you thought you would have. Holding onto unmet expectations will only l...
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Season 3
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Episode 61
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9:05
EP 60: Untangling Loyalty Binds with Mindy Kyle
In today's episode, I'm chatting with Mindy Kyle, and we are delving into the complexities of loyalty binds and betrayal blindness in blended families. Mindy defines loyalty binds as emotional conflicts where children feel compelled to side wit...
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Season 3
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Episode 60
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30:42
EP 59: Why You Should Stop Acting Like You're in a Nuclear Family
In order to be a happy, successful stepmom, you MUST stop acting like you are in a nuclear family. In today's episode, I'm making my case with 5 specific reasons: 1) Your role and position in the family are often unclear,...
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Season 3
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Episode 59
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15:05
EP 58: 5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way as a Stepmom
I have learned a LOT of lessons the hard way as a stepmom. And today, we're shaking this up a bit from the typical episode. I'm sharing five of those lessons with you. Through my personal stories, I hope to validate and normalize the full range...
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Season 3
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Episode 58
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20:03
EP 57: When Co-Parenting Just Won't Work with Naja Hall
Co-parenting with someone who is chaotic, uncooperative, and/or high-conflict can be challenging, to put it lightly. Today, I'm joined by fan-favorite Naja Hall, and we are sharing personal experiences and insights on how to maintain peace and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 57
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41:10
EP 56: Stop "Should"ing on Yourself with Jessica Frew
In today's episode, Kristen and guest Jessica Frew discuss the harmful habit of "shoulding" on ourselves as stepmoms, and provide practical steps to overcome this by reconnecting with our intuition, setting boundaries, and taking small actions ...
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Season 3
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Episode 56
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35:04
EP 55: 5 Red Flags When Dating Someone with Kids
Welcome to Season 3 of the Stepmomming Made Easy podcast! In today's episode, I'm sharing five red flags to watch for when dating someone with kids. Stepmomming and being in a blended family can be immensely fulfilling when it's done with the r...
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Season 3
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Episode 55
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14:48
EP 54: Unpacking the Double Standard Between Moms and Stepmoms
Sometimes as a stepmom, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. And a big reason for that, is because of the double standard between moms and stepmoms. There is an underlying—often misguided—prejudice in our society that stepmoms are ...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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13:45
EP 53: 3 Tips for Taking Back Control as a Stepmom
When I first became a stepmom, I felt like everyone else (my partner, my stepdaughter, and my partner’s ex-wife) had more control over my life than I did, and it drove me WILD. Today, I’m happy to report, I have firmly taken back control and am...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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13:31
EP 52: 5 Challenges Stepmoms Face (& What To Do!) with Dr. Patricia Papernow
Stepparenting is not hard because you're doing it wrong. Stepparenting is hard because it's an entirely different family structure and dynamic than we've experienced before. Today, I'm joined by arguably the foremost expert on stepfamily dynami...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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52:24
EP 51: 3 Tips to Make Transition Day Easier
Transition Day can be SO challenging for stepmoms! Stepchildren often have a difficult time making the switch from one house to another, and act out in emotional ways. It makes stepmoms around the world dread transition day!In...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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11:15
EP 50: Adding An Ours Baby with Kimberly King
One of the biggest, most challenging transitions that stepmoms can make is adding a baby to their blended family. Today, Kimberly King joins me to discuss her experience and best tips for stepmoms who are preparing to add an "ours baby" to the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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37:27
EP 49: Shitty Advice for Stepmoms from Well-Meaning Therapists
So many stepmom clients I work with have tried therapy before coaching, and the advice they get from well-meaning therapists who aren't trained in blended families actually does more harm than good. Maybe you've heard this advice before too, or...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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10:39
EP 48: Co-Parenting with a High-Conflict Person with Megan Hunter, MBA
Stepmom, today we are chatting with fellow stepmom and co-founder of the High Conflict Institute, Megan Hunter! If your stepchild's other parent is high-conflict, then this is a discussion you can't afford to miss! We're chatting all about prac...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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33:31
EP 47: Stepmomming is what you do, NOT who you are!
Have you ever felt like stepmomming has taken over your life? Like the main part of your identity is now “stepmom” and everything else has taken a backseat? I remember feeling like this pressure to be the perfect stepmom was the most important ...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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12:54
EP 46: Marrying a Widower and Blending Families with Rachel G. Scott
Two of the largest factors that can make an already-complicated role like stepmom even harder are blending two families and stepparenting when the children have lost their other parent. Today's guest, Rachel, shares all about her experience doi...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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33:30
EP 45: Why I Won’t Allow My Stepdaughter To Call Me “Mom”
When my stepdaughter asked to call me "Mom," feelings of validation, warmth, and love overcame me. They were immediately followed by alarm bells. I refused to allow it. It felt disrespectful to the irreplaceable relationship she shares with her...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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10:17
EP 44: The Importance of Setting and Discussing Expectations with Amy Ambrozich
You don't know what you don't know... And that is never more true in blended families than when it comes to the critical importance of setting and discussing expectations with your partner! Today, I'm joined by fellow coach, Amy, who is tacklin...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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42:27
EP 43: Overcoming Your Second Spouse Insecurities
If you struggle with insecurities because your partner experienced some of their firsts with someone else, you're definitely not alone! Being Kevin's second wife brought out insecurities in me I didn't even realize I was capable of. In today's ...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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10:44