by Gayla Grace | Dec 12, 2017 | Blog, stepfamily holiday tips
This is my first holiday season without Mom. After a long hard road with Alzheimer’s, she passed away in August. Although I’m thankful she’s no longer suffering, I think about her every day. I’d love to go back and have just one more conversation with her, even if she...
by Gayla | Jan 16, 2013 | acceptance, Blog, Change, conflict, stepfamily relationships
I was recently talking to a stepmom who’s struggling in her role with her stepdaughter. In hearing some history of the relationship, I could see the normal progression that often happens in stepfamilies with various stages of integration. How a stepfamily...
by Gayla | Oct 2, 2012 | Blog, conflict, expectations, Faith, feelings, stepparenting heartache, Uncategorized
I sent my son to bed last night with consequences for his lack of obedience on a homework issue. He wasn’t happy with me and barely said good night as I left his room. But as his mom, seeking to raise a responsible young man, I knew I needed to address the...
by Gayla | Sep 5, 2012 | Blog, conflict, feelings, successful stepparenting, Uncategorized
As I felt my heart begin to race, I knew I had to settle down before I said something I shouldn’t. I said a quick prayer to calm my soul and ask for guidance. My anger was boiling. And I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the conversation. I was in a heated...
by Gayla | May 23, 2012 | acceptance, Blog, loyalty conflict, stepfamily relationships, successful stepparenting
In working with stepparents recently, I’ve noticed a common thread that spells disaster in the early years of stepfamily development: the tendency for the stepparent to play a strong disciplinary role instead of allowing the biological parent to be the primary...
