by Gayla Grace | Nov 28, 2017 | Blog, peace, Uncategorized
Today my friend, Barb Goldberg, shares her thoughts on celebrating the holidays as a stepfamily. What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you think about stepfamilies and holidays? I’m guessing it isn’t peace! Stepfamilies have an...
by Gayla Grace | Jan 10, 2017 | Faith, feelings, forgiveness, peace, stepfamily relationships, Uncategorized
After my first marriage ended, I held onto unforgiveness. I had been mistreated and I justified my actions from a wounded soul. I didn’t want to consider how my unforgiveness contributed to my lack of peace and affected my daily walk with others and with the Lord....
by Gayla | Dec 4, 2012 | Blog, peace, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships
The 2nd edition of our holiday e-book, Unwrapping the Gift of Stepfamily Peace, is out and for the next few weeks I want to include some excerpts to help you thrive, not just survive, the holiday season. Today I start with the introduction to give you...
by Gayla | May 9, 2012 | Blog, loyalty conflict, peace, stepmother role, take care of yourself
One of the hardest hurdles to cope with as a stepparent is the reality that we make the same sacrifices as a biological parent but reap very few rewards for our efforts. In his book, The Smart Stepfamily, Ron Deal gives three reasons why the stepmother role is even...
by Gayla | Mar 8, 2012 | Blog, Change, character, expectations, feelings, hope, peace, stepfamily relationships, surrender
“Mom I have mono. The doctor thinks I’ve had it six or seven weeks. He says I might need to quit my job so I can finish out the school semester while trying to get well.” My daughter’s words were distressing. A 21-year-old college student...
by Gayla | Jan 31, 2012 | attitude, Blog, peace, stepfamily marriage, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices, Uncategorized
Before my husband and I married, I read everything I could about stepfamilies. I was excited about joining our families together and wanted to get a head start on how to have a happily-ever-after future. But as I read, I was deflated by the dismal picture every book...
by Gayla | Jan 3, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Fear, peace, perseverance, Prayer
I just finished reading God Enough: Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Kasey Lowery Ewing. It’s a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness through a horrific loss as Kasey tells her story of losing her two-year-old son in an accident. But...
by Gayla | Nov 29, 2011 | Balance, Blog, peace, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships, successful stepparenting, take care of yourself
Our family leaves on an extended holiday trip in just over 2 weeks and I keep wondering how I’m going to get everything done. So, here are a few tips I’ve created to help myself maintain balance during this busy time of year...
by Gayla | Oct 28, 2011 | Blog, peace, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships
As we turn the calendar to November next week, we begin to think about the holidays. As a blended family, holidays bring additional stress: heightened expectations, scheduling conflicts with the ex and children or stepchildren, financial burdens, increased...
by Gayla | Feb 25, 2011 | Blog, Faith, Fear, peace, perseverance, stepmother role, stepparenting choices
I have a good friend who is raising her step-granddaughter because her stepdaughter has proven too unstable for the responsibility. I have another friend who could be assuming full custody with her husband of her three stepchildren because their biological mom...
by Gayla | Jan 14, 2011 | Blog, forgiveness, Guilt, peace, stepfamily relationships, take care of yourself
As a stepparent, do you carry around unnecessary guilt? Do you beat yourself up when you make a mistake or don’t have a perfect day with your stepchild?Guilt is a harmful emotion. It keeps us from enjoying present-day peace and sets us up for self-defeating...
by Gayla | Jan 11, 2011 | Balance, Blog, Guilt, peace
Five inches of snow fell in Central Arkansas yesterday. We rarely get to experience the fluffy white stuff so our town always enjoys a break from the routine when snow appears. You could find kids on every corner making snowmen, sledding down the biggest hill in town,...
