by Gayla Grace | Dec 28, 2017 | attitude, Blog, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting
When I married my husband, I set out to be the perfect stepmom. I read all the books. I went to the conferences. I worked overtime to do everything right for my stepchildren. But I wasn’t a perfect stepmom. I made a lot of mistakes. After more than 20 years,...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 4, 2017 | attitude, Blog
“I talk to my clients five days a week about negative thinking. Our thinking creates problems for us!” said my friend, a professional therapist. Our thoughts have more power over us than we may think. Do you find yourself thinking any of these thoughts? My stepchild...
by Gayla Grace | Nov 15, 2016 | attitude
A few years ago, seeking to put some joy in our life and spend quality family time together, we decided to go camping during our kids’ spring break. Going to the highest peak in Arkansas to hike, fish, and spend family time around a campfire sounded great when...
by Gayla Grace | Jun 17, 2016 | attitude, Blog, outsider, perseverance
With Father’s day just a few days away, I’m posting an essay I wrote a few years’ back to encourage and honor stepdads. Dear Stepdad: Don’t Quit My husband, Randy, will be the first to tell you he has done a lot of things wrong as a stepfather....
by Gayla Grace | Feb 25, 2015 | attitude, Blog, hope, stepfamily relationships
“Please pray for our marriage. I’m afraid my husband is about to walk away.” My heart sank as I listened to the voice mail. The woman and her husband had been in our stepfamily class and I knew there were a lot of struggles. But I didn’t expect her spouse to quit. The...
by Gayla Grace | Aug 20, 2014 | attitude, Blog, counseling, feelings, Rejection, rewards of stepparenting, stepparenting heartache
I recently began teaching a Sunday School class for 13-14 year-old girls at our church. Some days I wonder why I agreed to do it. Since our youngest son is the same age, I’m seeking to invest in his youth group and get to know his peer group. As I observed the...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 8, 2014 | attitude, Blog, co-parenting, Grace
I’m leading a workshop at our Stepmom Retreat this week-end on Parenting Between Two Homes. I found some great information in Tammy Daughtry’s book, Co-Parenting Works, on how to identify your co-parenting style and find success as you co-parent. Daughtry...
by Gayla Grace | Jan 14, 2014 | attitude, Blog, stepfamily relationships
I talk to stepparents all the time who blame themselves for the poor relationship with their stepchild. “If only I had more patience with my stepchild, if only I had more time to spend with him, if only, if only, if only.” The truth is, it...
by Gayla Grace | Aug 1, 2013 | attitude, Blog, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices, take care of yourself
As the summer begins to wind down for many of us, the days are HOT and long. Stepchildren around every day can make for additional challenges. I’ve heard from several stepmoms lately who are barely treading water. Even with the best plans for a fruitful and...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 19, 2013 | attitude, Blog, feelings, Guilt, stepfamily relationships
I often wonder why we so easily assume feelings of guilt surrounding our stepparenting journey. Why can’t we accept we’re imperfect? Why do we insist we must do everything right or our stepchildren will never love or accept us? Perhaps society dictates...
by Gayla | Mar 7, 2013 | attitude, Blog, conflict, expectations, patience, Stepfamily Vacations
Throwing family members together for an extended period of time can wreak havoc on even the most stable family. For a fragile stepfamily, it can be a recipe for disaster. So if you’re headed out for an adventure with your stepfamily, take along a few tools to...
by Gayla | Feb 25, 2013 | attitude, Blog, character, Faith, love, successful stepparenting
The early morning text surprised me. I don’t hear from my young adult stepson a lot but sensed he needed to talk based on what I read. I picked up the phone and engaged in a lengthy conversation with him regarding his year-long relationship with his girlfriend....
