Disengaging Stepmoms: 5 Signs It's Time To Step Back

Being a stepmom is hard.We can help.

StepMom Magazine is for any woman who dates, lives with, or is married to someone with kids.

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We’re gladyou found us.

StepMom Magazine is the leading online resource for women in relationships with partners who have children. Each monthly issue delivers expert advice, practical tips, and inspiring stories designed to empower and help you navigate the complexities of blended family life with confidence and resilience.

If you’re a stepmother, you’re no stranger to sticky situations like dealing with the ex, trying to bond with your stepkids and feeling like an outsider in your own home.

The articles inside StepMom Magazine are written by our hand-selected team of licensed therapists, certified stepfamily coaches, legal and financial advisors and veteran stepmoms who understand the challenges you’re facing—because we’re stepmoms too.

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How it works

When you subscribe, you’ll receive exclusive access to the monthly magazine—a downloadable, printer-friendly PDF that’s easy to read anywhere, anytime. Each issue provides 35+ pages of expertly written and beautifully designed articles to help you take charge of your life and overcome your biggest challenges.

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Why do stepmoms need a magazine?

If you’ve ever been told that you should love your stepkids like your own, or that you’re just the stepmom, or that you knew what you were signing up for, you know that being a stepmom is—complicated.

Friends and family usually don’t understand what it’s like and most therapists receive little to no formal training on stepfamily dynamics. This leaves stepmoms on the receiving end of well-intended but bad advice like “just be nice” and “take the high road” or “be patient…it’ll get better in time.”

We’re the how-to guide you’ve been looking for.

We talk about everything.

• Adult Stepkids

• Anxiety & Depression

• Bonding & Stepkids

• Child-Free by Choice

• Child Support

• Co-Parenting

• Dealing with The Ex

• Disengaging

• Divorce Guilt

• Financial Planning

• Full-Time Stepmoms

• The 'Ours' Baby

• Healthy Boundaries

• Infertility

• Intimacy & Sex

• Legal Issues

• Loyalty Binds

• Outsider Syndrome

• Parental Alienation

• Permissive Parenting

• Self-Care

• Stepfamily Vacations

• Stereotypes

• Teenage Stepkids

Choose your plan…

Each issue is a downloadable, printer-friendly PDF you can read anywhere, anytime!

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What stepmoms say:

• "Worth every penny."

  Heidi

• "Hands down, the BEST resource for stepmoms."

  Taylor

• "I caught my husband reading it. It's been a great conversation-starter for us."

  Jean

• "Far exceeded my expectations. You really are helping people and saving marriages."

  Anne

• "This magazine saved my sanity—and my marriage."

  Nicole

• "My husband read some back issues and he finally understands what it's like for me."

  Christine

• "I love the wide range of topics."

  Kelly

• "After reading one issue I already feel so much more at peace."

  Micca

• "The articles are amazing."

  Jenni

• This magazine has been so valuable in helping me know that I'm not alone."

  Heidi

• "Jam-packed with useful information."

  Emily

• "The magazine helped us create a game-plan for our family."

  Melissa & Joe

• "Life-changing. So glad I subscribed."

  Ashley

• "I started reading and couldn't stop. I learned so much."

  Marianna

• "I'm grateful for the magazine. Reading it makes me feel totally normal."

  Kathleen

• "Thank you for taking the 'evil' out of being a stepmom."

  Patty

Hi. I’m Brenda.

I remember the moment like it was yesterday.

I didn’t want to be a stepmom anymore.

I sat on the floor and cried.

And then I got up …

and created this magazine,

for every woman who’s ever felt like me.

Read my story

Need help right now?

StepMom eBooks provide fast, targeted information on topics that matter to you most. These downloadable PDFs are easy to read anytime, anywhere.

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Contributing Writers

• Mary T. Kelly, MA

  Marriage & Family Psychotherapist, Stepfamily Expert & Coach

• Susan Haworth, MEd, MS

  Individual & Family Counselor, Coach & Veteran Stepmom

• Wednesday Martin, PhD

  Social Researcher, Veteran Stepmom and Author of “Stepmonster"

• Brenda Snyder, LCSW

  Therapist Specializing in Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Veteran Stepmom

• Michaela Bucchianeri, PhD

  Clinical Psychologist & Stepmom Coach

• Claudette Chenevert

  Certified Stepfamily Coach & Veteran Stepmom

• Rachelle Katz, EdD, LMFT

  Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Author: "The Happy Stepmom"

• Heather Hetchler, MA

  Certified Life Coach & Veteran Stepmom

• Jennifer Katz, PhD

  Clinical Psychologist, College Professor & Veteran Stepmom

• Joel W. Hawbaker

  Stepfamily Coach/Podcast Host, Author & Speaker

• Christine G. Adamo

  StepMom Managing Editor, Owner & Lead Creative: WriteReviseEdit

• Monica Chaney

  Certified Stepmom Coach, Veteran Stepmom

• Meg Burton Tudman, MBA

  Mindset Health Coach, Author & Speaker

• Kelly Palmquist, LMSW

  Licensed Social Worker, Veteran Stepmom

• Heidi Farrell, MM

  Stepfamily Coach, Writer & Speaker

• Christina Nelson, LICSW

  Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Radical Stepmom Podcast Creator & Host

• Kate Arney-Cimino

  Stepmom. Mom. Writer.

• Emily Bouchard, MSSW, CMC

  Blended Family Advisor, Financial Coach, Consultant & Speaker

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