The Stepmom's Toolbox

Listen in and learn how to keep your marriage vibrant, healthy, and happy! Shela Dean shares her secrets on how to rack up frequent foreplay miles and shares her wisdom that happy marriages = happy kids.

Judy Graybill has been a Certified Stepfamily Coach since April 2007 having been certified through The Stepfamily Foundation. She continued her education through research and talking to countless adults and children from stepfamilies. She developed her Heart-Centered Approach and started Sensible Steps, LLC, in June 2008. “To know thyself is to know the world” is Judy’s philosophy. Her personal experiences set the foundation of her approach. Equally prevalent is the underlying non-secular humanitarianism of compassion and forgiveness toward everybody, regardless of their words and actions. By looking at the bigger picture objectively, she can find creative solutions and win-win situations. Her biggest success is with a childless stepdad who thanked her for helping him to be a better person through her coaching. In just over 1 month of working with him and his girlfriend, he went from talking contemptuously to/about his stepson to planning monthly outings, doing nice things for him, and positively changed the way he interacted with him. Judy is a Sociologist at heart and by formal advanced education. She earned her BS in Sociology in 1999 (with a minor in Psychology) and completed the coursework for the Master’s Program in Applied Sociology in 2003 as a Graduate Assistant. She has worked personally with individuals for over 2 decades, with kids individually for over 4 years, and with couples or families for over 3 years. Her personal experience of being a childless StepMom led to her calling for touching stepfamilies at various levels of dysfunction. Her predominant passion is childless step parents and adult children of divorce. Having experienced both healthy and unhealthy relationships, she educates others on recognizing red flags and potential unhealthy patterns within a relationship. Her published articles can be found at various locations on the Internet.  

Please join us for a very special show. Donna Ferber will be joining us to explore what it's like to be a stepmom when mom has passed away. Donna has been a guest on our show before and I'm so pleased to have her on again. Donna F. Ferber, LPC, LADC is a psychotherapist in private practice for 24 years. In her private practice, Donna specializes in issues related to life transitions. These include but are not limited to divorce, remarriage, chronic illness, loss, relocation. Since the mid 1980’s, Donna has worked closely with attorneys, and other professionals to support and explore ways to make the divorce experience less painful for all family members. In 1990, along with Atty. Holly Abery-Wetstone, she wrote and facilitated the pilot parenting class for parents going through divorce at Stamford Courthouse, Stamford, CT. That program was the forerunner of a mandated state program now implemented for all parents going through divorce. She has a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Manhattanville College and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT. S In 1993, was trained in Ericksonian Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy at the American Hypnosis Training Academy. She is the author of two books. Profileactics: A Guide for the Prevention of Ill-Conceived Personal Ads was recently published. Her first book, From Ex-Wife to Exceptional Life: A Woman’s Journey through Divorce won an Honorable Mention Award by the Independent Publishers Association. Presently she is working on a third book The Unconceivable Choice: Why Women Choose not to have Children.  

What an amazing show! We had Paula Bisacre from Remarriage Works, LLC join us to tell everyone about the Remarriage Showcase for Encore Brides event coming up May 14 in Lee, Virginia. Check out the website and if you are in the area, this is an event you don't want to miss! Introducing our Stepmom In The Spotlight, Mary Rorhr! It was an honor to share this young but very wise Stepmom with our listeners. Mary has a strong desire to support all stepmoms, young, older, and those who've been a stepmom but are no longer a stepmom. Listen to Mary - her advice is ageless! You can find Mary on Facebook or visit her website, Stepmom Central!

What an incredible show! Joanin Winberg and Mike Mastracci were AWESOME! We had some great questions that came to us in Live Chat and via Facebook. Justine wanted to know how "not to appear weak" if she and her husband needed help with the kids from their mother. Mike and Joanie both agreed that "all of parenting is a judgement call." Tif didn't want to be the "bad guy" when it came to disciplining her stepson, but she couldn't figure out how to get her and her husband on the same parenting page. Mike cautioned that if stepmom is trying to override dad, that could be a recipe for disaster. Please join us as we dish with Joanie Winberg, founder of National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. Joanie Winberg is the CEO of the National Association of Divorce for Women and Children and founder of the Single Again! Now What? E-course Mentoring Program for women and men. Joanie is a Certified Behavior Consultant, author, speaker/trainer for corporations and businesses and a Divorce Mentor. Mike Mastracci is a Divorce Attorney and author of the book “Stop Fighting Over The Kids.” His book is sure to become a classic among the self-helps dealing with parenting through separation and divorce and keeping children out of the middle of parental conflict. The crucial fact that the children are of the utmost importance is emphasized and often repeated. The book is very well organized, easy to read and offers readers so much more than most divorce books.

Listen in as we talk about The Stepmom Step Back, or disengagment. This is an honest look at how three veteran stepmoms stepped into their step life believing that being "better than," having "superior parenting skills" and unconditional love would make life in their stepfamilies a wonderful thing. While their hearts and intentions were in the right place, they couldn't have been more wrong. Listen in as Peggy, Erin, and Teresa talk about their experiences with The Stepmom Step Back!

Congratulations Konnie Francois for being our winner tonight! Three of Ron's books will be mailed to you this week! Lots of great comments in the Live Chat tonight! Thanks CafeSmom, Newday90, Konnie, Jessica, and everyone else! I loved the conversation you were having! Special thanks to Teresa for keeping the show running so smoothly! We're very excited to have Ron L. Deal back on the show with us! His new book, "The Smart Stepdad" will be available in April! This show is for both you, the stepmom, and your husband, the stepdad. Many remarried families have children from previous relationships. Finally, a fabulous resource for the men who we love. We'll talk advice, perspective on what the kids are going through, and Ron will share wisdom for handling tricky issues such as discipline, dealing with ex spouses, and hugging your stepdaughter.

We are so excited to share with you our Stepmom in the Spotlight for April, Heather Hetchler! Heather Hetchler is the mom of four and custodial stepmom of two whose passion is to help stepmoms thrive in their role as the heart of their blended family. She is the Founder of www.CafeSmom.com where she brings positive resources, inspiration, and support to stepmothers. Heather blogs her personal story as both a wife and ex-wife; a mom and stepmom to six young children so stepmoms don’t feel alone on their journey. Her blog was named as one of the Top10 blogs for Remarrieds in 2010 by Remarriage Magazine. As a StepMom Encourager and Coach, she uses her education, professional experience and life lessons on her mission to help stepmothers define their own positive path and to connect stepmoms, helping them feel empowered and remove feelings of isolation. Heather is the host of the StepMom Connection on www.MomTv.com. She is a contr

Stepfamilies are a way of life - in fact, there will be more stepfamilies than first families in 2011. Tonight we're talking with Christy Borgeld, founder of The National Stepfamily Day Foundation. National Stepfamily Day Foundation Mission Is enhanced by our strong commitment to support the stepfamilies of our nation in their mission to raise their children, create strong family structures to support the individual members of the family, instill in them a sense of responsibility to all extended family members. To develop programs, research, and support the American Stepfamilies. Watch the special video

Donna F. Ferber, LPC, LADC is a psychotherapist in private practice for 24 years. She is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor and an educator. Donna works with individuals and in groups. Her office is in Farmington, Connecticut. In her private practice, Donna specializes in issues related to life transitions. These include but are not limited to divorce, remarriage, chronic illness, loss, relocation. Since the mid 1980’s, Donna has worked closely with attorneys, and other professionals to support and explore ways to make the divorce experience less painful for all family members. In 1990, along with Atty. Holly Abery-Wetstone, she wrote and facilitated the pilot parenting class for parents going through divorce at Stamford Courthouse, Stamford, CT. That program was the forerunner of a mandated state program now implemented for all parents going through divorce. Donna graduated from Hofstra University with a BA. She has a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Manhattanville College and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT. S In 1993, was trained in Ericksonian Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy at the American Hypnosis Training Academy. Donna’s articles on divorce and step parenting have been featured in many local publications. She has also been interviewed by many major publications including The New York Times, Newsday and Women’s Day Magazine. She is the author of two books. Her newest book, Profileactics: A Guide for the Prevention of Ill-Conceived Personal Ads was recently published. Her first book, From Ex-Wife to Exceptional Life: A Woman’s Journey through Divorce won an Honorable Mention Award by the Independent Publishers Association. Presently she is working on a third book The Unconceivable Choice: Why Women Choose not to have Children.

We talk so much about what it's like being a stepmom and how hard it is. Ever wonder what the kids are feeling? They didn't ask for the divorce that their parents went through (or the breakup) and they certainly didn't ask for a stepmom or a stepdad. I grew up stepkid and I know all too well waht it was like going from being the oldest and the only girl, to suddenly having a stepmom, two older stepsisters, and another younger brother (I already had three!) You don't need to hear it from me. Tonight we have Teresa's daughter Maleigha and her step-daughter Ami on to share with you their perspective and their reality Growing Up Step. Brenda Ockun from StepMom Magazine will be joining us as well to dish the March issue!

What a fabulous show! Thanks Nicole for your great internet safety tips! Join us as we highlight stepmom Nicole Dupre Henderson! Nicole is The Stepmom's Toolbox Directory of Social Media and Stepmom of two! We'll also be announcing the winner of our $50 LL Bean Gift Card Giveaway!

It was so awesome to talk with Kristen Tsetsi of Like It For TIME and help her get the word out to support her campaign to have TIME make the Military Family the Person of the Year! Thank You Kristen for all that you do for military families! Are You Married With Baggage? Mary Kelly-Williams delivered top-notch wisdom and advice that comes from her professional and personal experience! You want to listen as Mary dispels the Brady Bunch myth and helps stepmoms understand why it's so important to assess your expectations and revisit your personal stories (men, too!) Mary created and teaches the workshop: Married with Baggage: 8 Tips to Thriving in Remarriage. Mary is a regular expert contributor to StepMom Magazine, Psychology Today and Fabulously40.com. Mary appeared as a therapist and life coach on the A&E Series, “God or The Girl”.

We had a lively show on Monday with Breakthrough Your Money BS Coach, Maureen Campialoa! In the Live Chat, one listener wrote that she felt like the child support her husband was paying was "robbing their family." Child support causes a range of emotions to surface, and given that money is a main reason why both first AND second marriages end in divorce, this was an interesting choice of words. I know the caller is diving into Maureen's FREE mini course (and so should you). The same caller later posted in our online forum, "Thanks Peggy! Your show really opened up an opportunity for Hubs and I to talk finances, I'm feeling less stress even though I saw how much work we have in front of us I also see that it is doable!" Money contributes or controls almost every aspect of your life, so why wait any longer to get control of your money? What could be more important than your financial future? than ready to heal their relationship with money once and for all To receive your F.R.E.E. Mini-Course, Clearing Money Clutter, visit: The Stepmom's Toolbox Financial Resource, Maureen Campaiola Need help? Need support? We're here for you! For a limited time, your first month is just $1.99! $9.99 per month thereafter!

We had an amazing show! Not only did Brenda Ockun , publisher of StepMom Magazine call in to chat about February's rocking issue, but we talked with the phenomenal Jennifer Newcomb Marine co-author of the must have book, "No One's the Bitch." Listen in and learn important tools, like "own your own crap" and when to do the "Stepmom Step Back." Listen in to two great caller comments, one stepmom from Albuquerque called in to say how much Jennifer's book has helped her work through some of her own issues. And another caller, Karen from Indiana called in with a fabulous comment. In Live Chat, ehuse asked if the same "rules" applied to custodial stepmoms - you want to hear Jennifer's response! Are You A Stepmom Toolbox Member?