Holiday Countdown–Reader Tips 5, 6, and 7

Call for reinforcements. Banish Rumination. And unplug the Christmas tree. You'll be glad you did.

I have three quick tips for you today, culled from experts including stepmothers in the trenches.

As the holidays get into high gear, the following three steps can help…

1. Bulwark PL advises: "Spend holiday time with your girlfriends." Great advice. And sound. The women with stepchildren I interviewed for my book often described feeling outnumbered and overwhelmed at "all family" events if they ...