From One Stepmom to Another- Helping You to Create a Stepmom Life You are Proud Of

Welcome to the Intentional Stepmomming Blog!

So, I am curious, has anyone else ever wondered how many pictures they are accidentally in? I mean think about that. How many times have you shown up in the background of someone else’s picture without anyone realizing it?

Or, how many strangers' photos have you unintentionally ruined by accidentally stepping in front of the camera? We could potentially be, in fact probably are, in pictures of strangers all across the world and not even know it.

Maybe it's just me who has wondered these questions, but this is how my mind works.

Which, leads me to answering the question:

Why did I choose the name Stepmommed?

Stepmommed is meant to be a twist on the word PHOTOBOMBED. There are many definitions of what a photobomber is but I like this one from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries the best,

"A photobomber is a person who prevents a photograph from being taken in the way intended by suddenly appearing or doing something unexpected as the picture is taken”.

I don't know about you, but I certainly can relate to this quote as a stepparent who sometimes has felt as though I am an unexpected person that at times either intentionally or accidentally appears in the photograph of my family.

This photograph for many stepmoms is of the bio-parent and the child(ren) and then somewhere in this picture is the other bio-parent/ex.

As stepmoms, we often are left wondering, where do I fit in this picture?

And, it is for this reason as a stepmom myself that I decided to expand my therapy training to become certified to work with stepparents and more specifically stepmoms.

In this blog and within this website, I will use my own personal experience as a stepmom and my educational background as a licensed therapist and certified coach for stepparents to help you create a stepmom life you are proud of.

On this site you will have access to the following:

1. The Intentional Stepmomming Blog & Podcast

Becoming an “Insta-family” can be quite overwhelming. Looking back on the last 15 years of my experience as a stepmom there is a lot that I wish I had known earlier. There are a lot more resources available to stepparents than there were 15 years ago, however, many are surface understandings based on external problems.

As a therapist, I recognize that it goes so much deeper than that. There are so many layers that are going on that unless we have a deeper understanding of ourselves, our partners, our stepchildren, and even the exes in our lives we will continue to struggle no matter what size band aid we use.

My therapeutic background and more than 20 years of experience working clinically with individuals, couples and families brings a deeper understanding to the platform.

I hope to share my understandings, reflections, and to challenge other stepmoms to dig in deeper so they can become empowered, because as the saying goes, “Knowledge is power”. I truly believe this to be true.

The more knowledge and insight we have about ourselves and others within our sphere the more empowered we become. We can free ourselves from feeling like a victim of our circumstances while stepparenting.

I hope you will join me on the soulful journey of Empowering Intentional Stepmomming.

2. The Stepmom Circle Support Groups & Private Community

Becoming a stepmom, a childless stepmom to be specific, was a very unique experience for me that was challenging to explain to those who have never experienced it.

I had feelings that were all over the place, thoughts that weren’t always pretty or nice, and I often struggled with feeling like an imposter.

Who am I to “act” like a mom? I didn’t even have children of my own at the time. What did I know about being a parent? Am I even supposed to be “acting” like a mom?

These questions can go on and on, and when you don’t have friends or family who understand the importance and the potential impact these questions have on you it is lonely. This is why a stepmom community is so important!

The Stepmom CIrcle Community is a private Facebook group that is open to those who are participants in either the online or in-person stepmom support group, “Stepmom Circle- Supporting and Empowering Stepmoms”.

3. Access to In-Person or Virtual Stepmom Coaching

When I first became a stepmom I did not have any stepmoms to discuss my concerns or to go to for guidance and looking back. I think it would have been so helpful to have someone for coach me through the stepparenting process.

A professional who not only understands from a personal perspective but also has a deeper understanding into human psychology and had the skillset to coach me through the stepmom process. It is for this reason that I decided to pursue my certification in coaching stepparents.

So, in addition to stepmom groups and community offerings, I also provide one on one stepmom coaching virtually and in-person.

4. Coming Soon- Intentional Stepmomming Online Learning

If any of you stepmoms are like me, I tend to do my own research and learning first before I go seeking help from someone. Yes, I see you! I recognize you, because I am the same way. I do better if I first understand what it is I am even trying to ask for or to see if I can come up with my own answers. I also know how overwhelming trying to do it on our own can be.

Being alone is so much of why I created this website. So you don’t have to be! I am currently in the process of creating a space where you can come and easily do your research on your own time about the topics that are relevant to your journey as a stepparent while having access to a community.

Conclusion:

This blog and website is here to provide you with a supportive community and resources so you don’t have to be alone as you take on this journey of being a stepparent.

Through my own personal experiences of 15+ years of stepmomming, my 20+ years of experience as a therapist and stepparent coach, I am here for you. I am here to help empower intentional stepmomming so that you can create a stepmom life that you are proud of.

Want to learn more about my upcoming Stepmom Circle Support Group? Sign up today for your free consultation!

If you had a magic wand, and could be living a stepmom life that you are proud of, what would that look like? What areas are you already proud of and what areas do you want to work on? I want to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to write in the comments.

Christine Hurst is a therapist & certified stepmom coach. If you're struggling with feeling alone on your stepmomomming journey, join the stepmom community by visiting:

https://www.stepmommedcoaching.com/stepmom-circle