Tiny Pep Talks for Stepparents

When I sat down and really thought about what’s the most important reminder I want to leave you all with, I decided every word I’ve spoken or written pretty much boils down to this: Stepparenting is hard. Really, really hard. And struggling in this role does not make you a bad stepparent or a bad person. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 😱  WE ARE CLOSING! Here...

You might feel like you’re going through these stepparenting challenges alone, but I promise you are not alone. Join us on Substack >> Grab your FREE ticket to StepmomCon 2026! >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 😱  WE ARE CLOSING! Here's what you need to know >> This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfra...

Stepparents are not powerless when faced with a high-conflict ex. (Even though it can sure feel that way.) Join us on Substack >> Grab your FREE ticket to StepmomCon 2026! >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 😱  WE ARE CLOSING! Here's what you need to know >> This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.s...

You’re not doing stepparenting “wrong” if the typical advice doesn’t seem to apply to you. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 😱  WE ARE CLOSING! Here's what you need to know >> This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Correction: stepparents are exhausted superheroes! Because holy cow this role feels impossible some days. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Stepparenting is tough, absolutely. But don’t let the negatives erase the hard-won positives. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

We can’t predict the plot twists that just might lead our stepfamily to a surprise happy ending. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

4 tips to help you navigate one of the biggest bummers of stepparenting: rude stepkid behavior. HOW TO ACTUALLY BLEND: The missing instruction manual for stepcouples >> Read the Disengaging Essay >> NOT YOUR CIRCUS, NOT YOUR MONKEYS: The frustrated stepparent’s guide to personal peace >> Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a p...

Please don’t bother trying to follow typical co-parenting advice when the ex is high conflict. The 10 Commandments of high-conflict co-parenting >> Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.c...

How do you deal when your stepkid’s calling all the shots, positioning themselves (sometimes quite literally) in between you and your partner, and generally acting like they’re your partner’s partner, not you? Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

You didn’t know it, but sometimes I’m a poet. Happy Valentine’s Day! Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

What if trying to connect with your stepkid ends up backfiring big time as your partner's high conflict ex weaponizes it against you? Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrapp...

How to deal with sarsaparilla rules in stepparenting. (And the rest of the world.) Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Strong stepparenting emotions are a feature, not a bug; it’s okay to just feel that way. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 🐒  Not Your Circus, Not Your Monkeys: The Frustrated Stepparent’s Guide to Reclaiming Personal Peace 🥰  17 coping tips for managing overwhelming emotions Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is...

If you’re blaming yourself for your stepfamily’s dysfunction, please stop. 🧡 Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

A pep talk for stepparents who are ready for change yet also exhausted. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Finding hope when stepfamily life feels a little too “one step forward, two steps back.” Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Because it sure feels weird trying to find an appropriate balance between “celebratory” and “boundaries.” Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Surviving the holiday season when you’re not feeling particularly grateful for stepfam life. Today's episode is taken from a post I wrote last year and thought this would be a good time to share again. xo Read the full transcript on Substack >> SAVE 50% FOR LIFE! >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to...

When your blended family can’t celebrate traditional holidays, sometimes you gotta improvise. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

Our list of 9 tips, tricks, ideas, and reminders to help stepparents get through the holiday season all in one piece. (Hopefully with your sanity still intact.🤞🏼) Read the full transcript on Substack >> SAVE 50% THRU THE HOLIDAYS WITH THIS LINK! >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

Stepparenting in the aftermath of your partner’s high-conflict divorce requires a completely different approach. For help with this, please watch High Conflict Stepparenting , our workshop for stepparents who need extra support while trying to blend under intense pressure. It's included as a perk for our paid Substack subscribers. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HER...

Stepparenting requires a lot of sacrifices — many of which are significant; most of which we had no idea we’d have to make. So grief is part of stepparenting too, although I don’t think any of us realize that going in. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

A pep talk for stepparents who struggle to feel like they’re making any kinda difference in their blended families. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com

You can’t co-parent with someone who won’t compromise. Put that energy toward blending your family instead. Read the full transcript on Substack >> -- ➡️ STRUGGLING? START HERE! 🧡 JOIN OUR SUPPORT COMMUNITY 🗣️  SHARE YOUR OWN STORY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blendedfamilyfrappe.substack.com