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Did You Watch The Dr. Phil Show on Stepfamilies?
By Claudette Chenevert on Dec 2, 2009 | In Stepfamilies | Send feedback »
I watched the Dr. Phil show yesterday and although I didn't get the title of the show, I was glad to see two different scenarios in stepfamily dynamics. Not everyone will become buddy-buddy with their husband's ex but we really don't need to be the enemy either. We don’t have enough shows helping stepfamilies setting new standards of conduct. We are still trapped in the old ways of doing things when it comes to families. We believe that the way it’s always been in creating families is the right way.
Best Stepmom Gift Ever
By Claudette Chenevert on Dec 14, 2008 | In Uncategorized | Send feedback »
This is a story I wrote a few days ago for another post and thought it would be appropriate here. It is written with the permission and approval of my stepdaughter.
My stepdaughter Julie and I often were at odds with each other when she was in her teens. I felt we were competing for a place in the house and in my husband's life. It was really frustrating because in my head, I knew that there could never be competition between my husband's daughter and me because we both belong and had our place within this family. But still it was hard. It was even harder when she left for college and told us that she was so glad to leave this place and wasn't planning on coming back any time real soon. It broke my husband's heart but I felt I had failed as a stepmother. I kept wondering what I could have done better, said differently or if it was a good idea for me to have stayed around.