by Gayla Grace | Oct 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
Happy Anniversary My husband and I celebrate 24 years of marriage this week! In the beginning, I wasn’t sure we would make it to our next anniversary. With God’s help, Randy and I learned how to navigate the turbulent waters of stepfamily life in a...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 19, 2019 | Blog, Uncategorized
She Wants Super Stepmom Status As a stepmom for more than two decades, I’ve had countless conversations with other stepmoms desperately trying to achieve Super Stepmom status, as though there’s an end-of-the-year award. She cooks her stepchildren’s...
by Gayla Grace | Jan 8, 2019 | Blog, Uncategorized
Happy New Year! How were your holidays? Stepfamily holidays can include angst, confusion, and disappointment. If that was your situation, I hope you’ll allow God to redeem and restore you as we begin a new year. I shared a story in Stepparenting With Grace about...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 24, 2018 | Blog, Uncategorized
Toxic people can invade our lives and create havoc on relationships. But we can find positive ways to respond to them. I experienced a toxic person last year who wrote an unkind comment on my blog after I posted about National Stepfamily Day. I had highlighted what...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 6, 2018 | Blog, Fear, Uncategorized
I remember the scene of years’ past. I couldn’t stop the tears that spilled down my cheeks as I hugged my daughter goodbye. Saying goodbye for eight months as my 22-year-daughter left to carry out her calling in Mozambique had left a knot in the pit of my...
by Gayla Grace | Feb 6, 2018 | Blog, stepfamily relationships, Uncategorized
Blending families can create a unique set of problems. Sometimes it may seem solutions are hard to find. Today, my friend, Holly Robinson, shares some tips for creating a cordial relationship with the ex-wife. Please welcome Holly, read her story, and share your...
by Gayla Grace | Jan 11, 2018 | Blog, stepparenting, Uncategorized
Today I share a guest blog post by a fellow stepmom: Julie Langley of Shreveport, LA. Her story as a stepmom offers comfort and hope! I have both married and single friends. Those with kids and those without. Some knew they wanted to be parents from the moment...
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 | Apr 25, 2017 | Blog, Uncategorized
One phone call. That’s all it took to change our stepfamily forever. “I just got the news. She passed away earlier today,” my husband said. The finality of the words stung. I thought about my teenage stepchildren facing life without their mom. Saddened, my...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 7, 2017 | stepfamily relationships, Uncategorized
I didn’t walk to the altar with my first husband with intentions of divorce. Unfortunately, the demands and strain of his profession as a physician pushed him to unhealthy means to cope. Alcoholism reared its ugly head. Near the end of our 11-year marriage, I...
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 Grace | Dec 26, 2016 | Prayer, stepfamily relationships, successful stepparenting, Uncategorized
I was in a neighborhood prayer group for almost seven years before moving to Louisiana. We met weekly (at 6:00 am!) to pray for the needs of each family represented. I joined the group when my husband and I were fighting a custody battle. It was a very difficult...
