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
60 episodes since 2022
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...
September 17, 2024
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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 ...
September 10, 2024
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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 ...
September 03, 2024
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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...
August 27, 2024
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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 ...
April 02, 2024
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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...
March 26, 2024
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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...
March 19, 2024
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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...
March 12, 2024
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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 ...
March 05, 2024
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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...
February 27, 2024
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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...
February 20, 2024
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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 ...
February 13, 2024
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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...
February 06, 2024
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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...
January 30, 2024
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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...
January 23, 2024
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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 ...
January 16, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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10:44
EP 42: A Mom's Perspective Co-Parenting with a Stepmom with Ashley Machele
You are in for such an incredible conversation today, stepmom! I'm chatting with Ashley Machele, a mom who shares long-distance custody of her oldest daughter. She'll share her perspective co-parenting with a stepmom and asks how she can valida...
January 09, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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35:39
EP 41: Stepmomming Shouldn't Be Sacrificial
So many of my coaching clients complain they’ve sacrificed too much—some feel they’ve sacrificed everything—for their partners to get everything they want. But stepmomming shouldn’t be sacrificial. In today's episode, we're talking about the di...
January 02, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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10:39
EP 40: 5 Things I'd Do Now If I Became a Stepmom Today
When I first became a stepmom, I felt like I struggled to keep my head above water. I was overwhelmed in so many ways, and the more I struggled, the more ashamed of those struggles I became. Stepparenting is genuinely one of the hardest things ...
December 26, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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14:43
EP 39: Combatting Guilty Parent Syndrome with Tracy Poizner
Hey, stepmom! Does your partner's guilt because of their separation and sharing custody affect their parenting? If so, this episode is for you! Today, I'm chatting with Tracy Poizner about the causes of guilty parenting syndrome, the effect it ...
December 19, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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31:17
EP 38: Making the Most of Holidays Without Your Stepchildren
Holiday custody schedules can be brutal. When your stepchildren are at their other home for the holidays, it can exacerbate thoughts and feelings that your stepfamily is different from the one you always envisioned. It probably feels really unf...
December 12, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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8:41
EP 37: Overcoming Resentment as a Stepmom with Beth McDonough
Resentment is pretty much a universal experience for stepmoms. If you've struggled with feeling resentful on your journey, you're definitely not alone! In today's episode, Beth McDonough and I discuss why resentment is so common for stepmoms an...
December 05, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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28:10
EP 36: The Permission You Need to Survive Blended Family Holidays
The holiday season is incredibly overwhelming for many stepmoms. In today's episode, I'm giving you permission to focus first on your peace of mind. Don't feel obligated to do more than you want to do. Say "yes" when you ...
November 28, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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7:15
EP 35: Feeding Picky Eaters with Jenny Friedman, MS RD
Calling all stepmoms struggling with picky eaters! Today, we're chatting with dietitian, Jenny, all about how to take the frustration out of mealtime with picky eaters! I am excited to share with you everything I learned in this interview about...
November 21, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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33:17
EP 34: 3 Ways to Say No to the Ex
Hey, stepmom! You're allowed to say no to the ex! And in today's episode, I'm giving you 3 clear ways to do that, with sample scripts! You are completely entitled to your own boundaries and needs, and I want to empower you to use your voice to ...
November 14, 2023
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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11:21