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Category: Stepfamilies

Christmas Gift Exchange graphic

Christmas Gift Exchange with Adult Children

Posted on August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 by Marita Littauer Tedder

If you have struggled with finding gifts that your family members will actually use and you need a holiday activity, this idea may work for you. I’ve included the gifts I have given/am giving just to give you ideas. Tweak these ideas for gifts that work for your family.

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quote: My world changed once I accepted & embraced the revelation that I’ll never be able to control the actions of another person.

The Things I Did Right

Posted on July 15, 2025July 18, 2025 by Laura Petherbridge

My entire world changed once I finally accepted and embraced the revelation that I’ll never be able to control the actions of another person. This doesn’t mean ignoring or tolerating abuse, it merely means letting go of the distorted perspective that I can manipulate, command, beg or force another person to behave in an intelligent, considerate or appropriate manner.

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Black and white photograph with hands holding a block that says family

Blended Family Holidays

Posted on November 24, 2024November 24, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

A stepparent is in a position where he or she benevolently and naively strolls into an already existing family unit. Even if a divorce between the parents has occurred, the preexisting bonds, memories, and experiences have solidified them before she arrived. There is a security, acceptance, freedom to be oneself, in a safe family setting. Laughter and tears have unified them into a tight, and typically guarded turf. Even if mom and dad hate each other, the family foundation was formed before the stepparent arrived. Any new person, even one that marries into the tribe, is going to feel “outside that circle”. Even when a sibling brings a new person to the table, he or she will typically be embraced into the circle more quickly than a parent’s new partner.

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Mature woman with handkerchief at her eyes

When Mother’s Day Hurts

Posted on May 8, 2024June 20, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

For many women this day specifically designed for feminine springtime joy, often triggers grief, anger and tears instead.

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letter to step mom

To My Stepmom

Posted on March 15, 2024June 19, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

I work with many stepfamilies. I want them to understand that just because your stepchild may act distant, ugly, or disinterested, there are many big emotions swirling in their head and heart. Stepkids, young and old have conflicting emotions about stepparents. 

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Senior angry couple

The Gray Divorce: What is Happening?

Posted on February 27, 2024June 19, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

“Laura, my 66-year-old mom just told me that she and my dad are getting divorced. I’m in shock. They have been married for thirty-nine years. Why? What are they thinking?” This daughter can’t fathom her parents getting divorced in their senior years. However, is it’s not that atypical. Baby Boomer couples are divorcing at astounding…

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womans hand holding coffee cup

Stepfamily Grandmas

Posted on February 7, 2024June 19, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

Does this story sound like something you’ve experienced? “I’ve always wanted to be a mom, but I couldn’t have children. Five years ago, I married a man who has adult kids. The relationship between my husband and his kids hasn’t always been close but he is trying. His oldest son is about to become a…

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Dying elderly man in hospital bed

Death in a Stepfamily

Posted on September 5, 2023June 19, 2024 by Laura Petherbridge

Mark was my father’s wife’s son from a previous marriage and legally became my father’s child after the adoption. Dad and my first stepmom got divorced several years after the adoption. Over the years all of us became adults and went our separate ways. I had very little contact with my stepbrothers, or my half-brother, after my father’s second marriage dissolved. Until this moment.

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