Wednesday Martin's Blog, page 19
April 26, 2010
Top Stepmother Concern: "His Ex is Making Our Lives Hell!"
It's okay to let the call go to voicemail. And then delete the angry message.
When I asked about your top concerns as a woman with stepchildren, this one came up again and again: a partner's ex who is angry, undermining, and intrusive. Bottom line: this behavior indicates first and foremost that she is unreconciled to her ex-husband's repartnership. And you are a convenient target for her wrath. Now what?
1. Know what's going on. Acting out ("Come do chores for me/the kids," "Give me more...
Top Stepmother Concern: "My Husband's Ex is Making Our Lives Hell!"
It's okay to let the call go to voicemail. And then delete the angry message.
When I asked about your top concerns as a woman with stepchildren, this one came up again and again: a partner's ex who is angry, undermining, and intrusive. Bottom line: this behavior indicates first and foremost that she is unreconciled to her ex-husband's repartnership. And you are a convenient target for her wrath. Now what?
1. Know what's going on. Acting out ("Come do chores for me/the kids," "Give me more...
April 21, 2010
Sadomasochistic Reenactments: Are You Trapped In One?
Stepmothers frequently find themselves on the wrong side of power. Some may be trapped in a sadomasochistic reenactment.
You might know from reading my blog and/or my book that I tend to look to sociology, human behavioral ecology, history, and even literary theory when I'm trying to explain what happens in stepfamilies and why women with stepkids think, feel, and act the way we do. I don't think psychology alone can adequately explain our culture's deep suspicion of and antipathy toward...
April 15, 2010
BlogTalk Radio Interview/Stepmonster Giveaway on Monday, April 19, 8 pm EST
Tune in for chat and advice about stepmother reality
Tune in this Monday April 19 as Mary Kelly-Williams and I discuss stepmother reality with Peggy Nolan of Stepmom's Toolbox and Erin Erickson of the Erin Experiment on their radio show. Call in to ask a question or send a question in and you may win a free copy of my book, Stepmonster. Hope you'll tune in!
BlogTalk Radio Interview on Monday, April 19, 8 pm EST
Tune in for chat and advice about stepmother reality
Tune in this Monday April 19 as Mary Kelly-Williams and I discuss stepmother reality with Peggy Nolan of Stepmom's Toolbox and Erin Erickson of the Erin Experiment on their radio show. Call in to ask a question or send a question in and you may win a free copy of my book, Stepmonster. Hope you'll tune in!
April 13, 2010
Top Concern of Women with Stepchildren/Stepmonster Giveaway: How Much and How Long to Spend on his Kids
Some of you have stepkids who think this is how money is made
As I've been giving a few talks over the last weeks and reading your comments and emails, I'm getting a sense of what's keeping you up nights.
You've told me, It's the economy, stupid. Thanks, I get it now. Stepfamilies (you may chafe against that term because the idea of you being a "family" of any type just doesn't seem to honestly or accurately describe the reality on the ground when it comes to finances) and couples in a...
Top Concern of Women with Stepchildren: Money!/This Recession is Killing Us!
Some of you have stepkids who think this is how money is made
As I've been giving a few talks over the last weeks and reading your comments and emails, I'm getting a sense of what's keeping you up nights.
You've told me, It's the economy, stupid. Thanks, I get it now. Stepfamilies (do you chafe against that term sometimes, because the idea of you being a "family" of any type just doesn't seem to honestly or accurately describe the reality on the ground, particularly when it comes to finances? ...
April 8, 2010
Stepmonster Q&A and Giveaway, Monday April 12th!
ask away...I'll try to answer
Hope you will join on the Enlightened Stepmother's Facebook page for a Q & A session with me on Monday April 12th. I'll be on from 10 am -2 pm answering your questions about stepmothering, stepfamily dynamics, your life as a woman married to or partnered with a man with kids…you name it. Oh–and there will be a giveaway of two copies of my book, Stepmonster. Please join!
April 7, 2010
What Do Women with Stepchildren Want? Talk in NYC on April 9th
Let's get to the bottom of this
I'll be giving a talk called "What do women with stepchildren want?" sponsored by the Associates Lecture Series of the Training Institute for Mental Health on Friday April 9th at 7:30 p.m. Hope you can make it. Cost is $15 and the address is 115 W. 27th S., 4th Floor, New York City, 10001. For more information click on this link:
April 6, 2010
Is Your Teen Step/Child Addicted to the Internet?
How much internet/FB/Twitter/IMing is too much?
Ever wonder if your/your partner's teen (or you) might actually be not only really into social media, but addicted to it? Today on my psychologytoday.com blog, check out the special guest post by Dr. Stephanie Newman…and leave a comment!
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stepmonster/201004/teens-and-the-internet-how-much-is-too-much
