by Gayla Grace | Sep 11, 2013 | Blog, expectations, feelings, Grace, love
If you’ve been married or living with a stepchild longer than six months, I’m sure you recognize the truth in this statement. As much as I wish it to be true, loving a stepchild doesn’t happen naturally. I talk to stepparents every day and I hear...
by Gayla Grace | Aug 28, 2013 | Blog, feelings, Rejection, stepparenting heartache
I’m recovering from the stomach virus -bleh- and I can tell you that for the last two days, I’ve simply survived! You know the feeling, right? You can barely lift your head off the pillow and wonder if your stomach will ever feel normal again....
by Gayla Grace | May 9, 2013 | Blog, feelings, stepmother role, take care of yourself, Uncategorized
One of the hardest hurdles to cope with as a stepparent is the reality that we make the same sacrifices as a biological parent but reap very few rewards for our efforts. In his book, The Smart Stepfamily, Ron Deal gives three reasons why the stepmother role is even...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 11, 2013 | Blog, conflict, Faith, feelings, love
I’ll never forget the day my stepson shot back at me, “You’re not my mom, Gayla. My mom would support my decision.” I disagreed on an important decision he was making and voiced my opinion. I chose not to respond to his hurtful words and for a...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 19, 2013 | attitude, Blog, feelings, Guilt, stepfamily relationships
I often wonder why we so easily assume feelings of guilt surrounding our stepparenting journey. Why can’t we accept we’re imperfect? Why do we insist we must do everything right or our stepchildren will never love or accept us? Perhaps society dictates...
by Gayla | Feb 13, 2013 | Balance, Blog, feelings, love, stepfamily marriage
Have you made plans for Valentine’s Day yet? If not, please do. As a stepcouple, you deserve a night out to celebrate your marriage and enjoy time as a couple.Stepfamily life includes too much time trying to cope with the everyday strain of kid issues, or...
by Gayla | Dec 13, 2012 | attitude, Blog, Faith, feelings, hope, perseverance, Prayer, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships
The facebook status of my friend was heart-breaking:”After 25 years of working for the same company, my wonderful hard working amazing husband was told he does not have a job. Our world has turned upside down…” A hard situation to face at the holiday...
by Gayla | Nov 27, 2012 | attitude, Blog, feelings, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices
I’ll never forget the first holiday season our family celebrated together. My husband and I had married in mid-October and the holidays descended upon us before we could get settled in our new surroundings. My expectations of a joyous holiday season quickly...
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 12, 2012 | attitude, Blog, character, feelings, love, loyalty
“I don’t feel the same way toward my stepchildren as I do my biological children,” a stepmother recently admitted. “I feel guilty when I say that, but it’s the truth.” “That’s okay, ” I replied. “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 | Aug 22, 2012 | Blog, Fear, feelings, perseverance, Prayer, stepfamily relationships
She was looking forward to some time alone as her husband left for a business trip to India. With three stepchildren in the throes of the teen years, life wasn’t easy. Married for less than two years, she had no idea the challenges that would erupt when she...
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