Afgespeeld
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My guest Maarit Miller created and published a version of the Disengaging Essay that made it famous in the stepmom world. You can read it on Maarit's blog, Blended Family Frappe.
I'll be taking a break for the next while as I focus on helping the participants in Stepmom Success Lab. There's still room for you there too - come and join us and be supported with a small community of women who are learning the stepmom ropes right alongside you. Start feeling more relaxed and confident ASAP! Get all the info here:
STEPMOM SUCCESS LAB
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This episode is about peer support and peer advice, and how to know when to take advice from a stranger. What does that have to do with sharing cookies?
A simple request for advice on social media gave me the inspiration to talk about sharing the parenting of your stepkids, and how much of that you should be doing as a stepmom.
Interested in learning more about Stepmom Success Lab? We're starting up on September 1 so check it out here!
Stepmom Success LabYou can get loads of first-rate, trustworthy parenting tips from Patty Wipfler and her colleagues at Hand In Hand Parenting
Connect with me anytime at [email protected]
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Parental Alienation might be the most difficult challenge a step-family can face. Here are 10 practical tips for helping things along. In the next episode, we'll talk about what to say to the kids, what not to say, and how to help them express whatever they may be feeling.
Stepmom Success Lab is starting again on September 1, 2019! Listen to the course modules at your own pace, use the workbook to solidify your learning, and let me help you adapt the techniques to suit your unique situation in our live video Q&A sessions. Here's the link to learn more:
tracypoizner.lpages.co/success-lab
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The loyalty bind, or loyalty conflict as it's sometimes known, is possibly the most insidious barrier to a healthy relationship between a stepmom and her partner's children. It's not always noticeable at the start of a new family and it can become a problem at any time, even years down the road. Its very hard to help by giving love, when the problem is that the child can't allow him or herself to love you back!
1. It can happen at any time, whether bio mom is very present in their lives or not around at all.2. It's not about you! A true loyalty bind is about the child not being able to figure out how to reciprocate your love without feeling bad inside.
3. We're not wired to have two moms at the same time (no reference to same-sex parents!). Be aware of overstepping as a "mom".
4. Choose another avatar or persona. You can be loved as an auntie or a friend's mom instead of rejected as a "bonus" mom.
5. Click here for my blog on that topic or visit http://essentialstepmom.com/blog/6-ways-to-be-a-stepmother-who-is-not-a-mom.html
6. Give more space to dad to fill their need for connection.
7. Let them choose how to show affection - propose alternate gestures like a special handshake to stand in for hugging.
8. Give it time, expect it to reappear. Recognize this vulnerable place in the child and respect it.
Please help other stepmoms to find this show by rating us on iTunes. I welcome questions from listeners and I'll be glad to address them ANONYMOUSLY of course, on a future episode! You can send an email to me at [email protected]
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Awareness, Acknowledgement, Acceptance. How do these apply to your step-parenting journey, and why are they important?
I think they're all that's between you and the dreaded "70%" - the tragic majority of stepmoms who don't make it, whose families can't withstand the pressures and challenges and whose stepfamilies dissolve.
If you'd like to try out my free Gratitude Journal template, you can get it here:
tracypoizner.lpages.co/gratitude-journal/If you're listening on iTunes or Apple podcasts and you enjoyed this, please rate us there and help other stepmoms to find us!
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I have a personal story to share about my own journey towards embracing spirituality. It's the story of how I found my husband and became a stepmom!
The three important steps on the way to true peace and happiness are Awareness, Acknowledgement and Acceptance. I used to be pretty crappy at two out of three of those and although it made me easy for other people to be around, it wasn't very good for me.
I'll focus on how to increase awareness in this episode, and we'll get to acknowledgement and acceptance on next week's podcast.
Here's a link to download my free Gratitude Journal template:
tracypoizner.lpages.co/gratitude-journalConnect with me at
essentialstepmom.com
Join a lovely Facebook community for stepmoms and get my weekly videos too:
The Spectacular Stepmom
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Christina Providence is an energy coach who helps high performing women recover from burnout and get back their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy so they can feel like themselves again. She shares a great metaphor about working at the limits of your capacity and how to continually stretch your zone of growth by creating and sourcing the support you need to achieve at higher and higher levels.
Notes:
2:28 Hold the umbrella, but don't try to stop the rain
3:20 Christina Providence helps high performing women get back on top of their game with her "Cycle of Creating Healing"
4:12 There's nothing wrong with you when you're exhausted, you've just reached the point of diminishing returns
4:40 Hard work produces results, overwork does not!
5:15 Stretch mode is great if you have high positive energy
5:43 High negative energy is survival energy leads to a crash
7:30 Even sleeping requires energy
7:41 What makes you crash
8:05 What's low quality recovery and what would make it better?
9:45 The point of diminishing returns
10:19 Human energy oscillates up and down by its very nature - we move from high performance mode to recovery mode
12:45 Getting that rich support and recovery allows you to keep stretching and growing
14:55 Drop the knives! Tune in next week to hear the rest of my interview with Christina.
You can reach Christina at:
https://theprovidencemethod.com
facebook.com/groups/sidehustlethinktank
facebook.com/groups/rainmakerhivemind
You can find me at:
http://essentialstepmom.com
Download my free guide, "Easy Ways to LEVEL UP As A Stepmom"
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Should your step kids be doing chores? If you think so and their dad doesn't, what can you do?
There's a difference between the practical reasons for giving kids chores (like, you need help!) and reasons having to do with parenting and raising responsible adults. Both of these issues can have good solutions that don't involve you being the evil stepmom!
Connect with me at
http://essentialstepmom.com
Download my free guide "Easy Ways to LEVEL UP As A Stepmom": 32 tips for winning bonus points and saving energy!
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How can you tell the difference between random step family troubles and real "red flags" you should pay attention to? My guest Lori Wilkins Sims is the originator of the Nacho Kids concept and if you don't know her story, you won't want to miss this!
Join the NachoKids Academy with this link so that they know I sent you!
www.nachokidsacademy.com/theessentialstepmomVisit me at www.essentialstepmom.com and if you're on social media, send a join request to The Spectacular Stepmom.
Want a weekly email from me to you? Grab my free guide, "50 Ways to LEVEL UP As A Stepmom" for tips that will earn you bonus points and save your energy (maybe even your marriage!) and you'll be signed up to my gang!
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Visit Anna's website at https://annadeacosta.com.
The Ultimate Stepfamily Summit is happening from September 15-17. It's FREE! Sign up now at bit.ly/tracysummit to get my special bonus offer of lifetime access to my library of over 50 Livestream stepmom tutorial videos! You'll never be at a loss for something to listen to again!
