Grief
Hello! Just a note that Mama J’s Parenting Posts is on hold while this blogger/author puts her energy toward completing the book, Stepparenting the Grieving Child: Knowledge to improve your stepfamily life right now. For the latest book and author information, please go to my newly updated website at www.dianefromme.com. I look forward to more […]
When I was six or seven, I had two pet names for my father – Naa and Ego. Although I don’t remember their origin, I suppose I was following suit from seeing the diminutives my parents used for each other on Christmas gift tags and Valentine’s Day cards. (P.B. and E.S., which stood for something […]
Last Saturday our oldest daughter, my stepdaughter, was the first of our kids to get married! Click here to read part 1 of my post. I promised more details about the ways the wedding ceremony balanced honor and acceptance. First of all, Brianna’s aunt (who is Brianna’s mom’s sister and was her best friend) attended […]
Continue reading about Wedding Ceremony Balances Honor and Acceptance, part 2
I am so thrilled today to share with you that my audio preview is live and ready for your prime time listenership! This is the first dedicated resource I know of for stepparents coming into a family where a parent has died. In today’s post I also inform you about a few other stepparenting and family resources. For […]
I do encourage comments and friendly debate on this blog, but I have to admit I was surprised to receive a comment this summer from a reader nicknamed Daisy: “I came here for comfort, and instead find an outrageous display of selfishness.” Daisy, who is herself grieving the loss of her adult son, felt that […]
Why is stepparenting after a death different than stepparenting after divorce? After all, stepfamily members in both divorce and death situations experience various kinds of losses. Am I saying that the loss of a parent is worse than the loss of a child’s former home, or the loss of living full time with Daddy? No. […]
Continue reading about How are Grieving Stepfamilies Different?
Your turn: If you have any comments or advice for this reader, please comment below or send me an e-mail at info@dianefromme.com. I’ve recently been in e-mail dialogue with a concerned stepmother. She’s stepparenting three elementary- and middle-school-aged children whose mother died several years ago. My heart went out to her as I read about […]
Continue reading about A Reader Writes: If Everyone’s Fine, Why do I Feel Stressed?
This is the third in a Wednesday post series about the role of the parent in stepfamilies. Stepfamilies might feel more cohesive if the parent is able to: Be the central hub of the stepfamily. Be the main disciplinarian in the stepfamily. Be physically available (present). Be emotionally available (interested). Today we’re looking at how […]
Your turn: If your spouse passed away, would you be the primary parent and guardian for your stepchildren? If not, would you remain a part of their lives? What feelings come up for you in either situation? While following other stepparenting blogs, especially those on my blogroll (scroll down the middle column), I pick up […]