The Stepmom Side Podcast

Jaksot

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  #166: When Dad Won’t Enforce the Rules: What a Stepmom Should—and Shouldn’t—Do 16.09.2026 45min

  Who should discipline the stepkids—and what should a stepmom do when her partner refuses to enforce the rules? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares what happened when her desire for a structured, cooperative household collided with her husband’s desire to avoid correcting his children during their limited time together. While he ran around doing everything for them—and ended each day completely exhausted—Alicia stepped in to enforce the expectations herself. It seemed li...
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  #165: It’s Not a Character Flaw: How Perimenopause Affects Memory, Mood and Stress with Jennifer Gularson 08.09.2026 1t 3min

  If you’ve recently found yourself forgetting appointments, waking up drenched in sweat at 2 a.m., struggling to concentrate, or feeling completely overwhelmed by things you used to manage without a problem, it may not be a character flaw. It could be perimenopause. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP, to unpack what really happens to women’s bodies and brains during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer explains why perimenopause s...
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  #164: When Back-to-School Stress Turns Into Resentment Toward Your Partner 01.09.2026 53min

  Back-to-school stress can expose an unequal division of labor in a blended family—especially when the stepmom is managing school supplies, schedules, transportation, meals, forms, and everyone’s emotions while her partner waits to be told what to do. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explains why resentment is rarely about one forgotten form or shopping trip. It often develops because the stepmom is carrying the invisible mental load: noticing what needs to happen, planning ...
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  #163: Homework Battles in Blended Families: What Is the Stepmom’s Role? 25.08.2026 34min

  What should a stepmom do when her stepchild refuses to complete homework—or when she cares more about missing assignments than her partner does? Homework battles in blended families are rarely only about schoolwork. Different expectations between homes, unclear stepparent roles, limited authority, and a lack of partner support can leave the stepmom managing assignments, checking the school portal, enforcing consequences, and becoming resentful. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Ali...
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  #162: Different Rules at Each House: How to Create a School Routine That Works 18.08.2026 49min

  What should a stepmom do when the rules are completely different at each house? Different bedtimes, screen limits, homework expectations, chores, and consequences can make school routines especially difficult in blended families. Children may resist the rules, struggle on transition days, or repeatedly remind the stepmom that things are different at their mom’s house. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explains how blended families can create consistent school routines within...
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  #161: School Events When Your Partner’s Ex Will Be There: How Stepmoms Can Handle the Awkwardness 11.08.2026 52min

  School events can trigger outsider syndrome for stepmoms. Especially when their partner’s ex and extended family will be there. Where should everyone sit? Should divorced parents and stepparents attend events together? What happens when a partner acts differently around their ex? And does a stepmom need to attend parent-teacher conferences to prove she cares? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares her experience of feeling ignored, displaced, and unsure where she belonged ...
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  #160: Back-to-School Planning in a Blended Family: Who Is Responsible for What? 04.08.2026 1t 8min

  Back-to-school planning can get complicated quickly in a blended family. Who buys the school supplies and clothes? Who completes registration forms, manages transportation, receives school updates, and pays for extracurricular activities? And how involved should a stepmom be when she is affected by these decisions but may not have decision-making authority? In this episode, Alicia shares how back-to-school responsibilities changed when her stepson moved into her home full time—and why respons...
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  #159: What If I Don’t Like My Stepkids? The Truth No One Talks About (re-release) 29.07.2026 27min

  What if you don’t like your stepkids? It’s the question that stepmoms whisper to themselves and rarely admit out loud. In this episode, Alicia unpacks why these feelings show up, why they don’t make you a “bad stepmom,” and how to move through them without shame. You’ll learn: Why it’s normal to not always like your stepkidsHow societal expectations set stepmoms up for guiltSimple shifts to ease the tension when relationships feel strainedHow to release the pressure to force a bondThis is you...
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  #158: The Emotional Reality of Stepmom Life with Darlene Sparks 21.07.2026 1t 11min

  In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko sits down with certified stepfamily coach Darlene Sparks for an honest conversation about the realities of stepmom life—because “just love them like your own” is not exactly a complete instruction manual. Darlene shares her experience navigating identity loss, rejection, complicated family relationships, and feeling like an outsider in her own home. Together, Alicia and Darlene discuss how stepmoms can protect their peace without disc...
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  #157: Family Meetings, Chore Battles, and Teenagers: Real Talk About Blended Family Life with Ashley Noelle 14.07.2026 51min

  Blended families don't become connected overnight—and honestly, nobody hands you a roadmap. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Ashley from The Blended Bond to talk about what actually helps blended families feel more connected. From awkward first family meetings and navigating transitions to chore systems, parenting teenagers, and learning to stop taking everything personally, this conversation is filled with practical strategies and reassuring reminders for st...
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  #156: The Truth About Happy Blended Families 07.07.2026 14min

  Are you constantly wondering why your blended family doesn't feel like the happy, picture-perfect family you imagined? You're not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares why so many stepmoms struggle because they're chasing unrealistic expectations about what blended family life should look like. From instant love and immediate connection to perfectly blended relationships, many of us were sold a version of stepfamily life that simply doesn't exist. In...
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  #155: In Blended Families, The Real Problem Isn't Always the Kids 30.06.2026 12min

  Feeling unsupported by your husband or partner can make blended family life feel incredibly lonely. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia talks about why partner support is one of the biggest predictors of stepmom satisfaction and blended family success. Many stepmoms don't necessarily need perfection from their partners. They need partnership. They need to feel heard, valued, and like they're part of a team. Key takeaways: ✔️ Why partner support matters so much in blended famil...
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  #154: The Hidden Reason You're So Angry as a Stepmom 23.06.2026 14min

  Do you feel resentful as a stepmom and then immediately guilty for feeling that way? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common but least talked about experiences in blended families: stepmom resentment. The truth is, resentment usually isn't about the kids. It's often the result of carrying too much emotional responsibility for too long. From managing everyone's feelings to carrying the mental load and constantly putting your own n...
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  #153: Why Belonging Feels So Hard in Blended Families 16.06.2026 11min

  Feeling like an outsider in your own home as a stepmom? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explores why so many stepmoms struggle with belonging in blended families. She shares why outsider syndrome happens, the common traps stepmoms fall into, and practical ways to stop trying to earn your place and start feeling more secure in your role. Key takeaways: Why feeling left out is normal in blended familiesThe hidden cost of overfunctioning and people-pleasingW...
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  #152: Stepmom Confidence: Stop Auditioning for Belonging 09.06.2026 26min

  Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to prove yourself as a stepmom? If only you could just be more patient, more understanding, more involved, or more helpful, then maybe you'd finally feel accepted in your blended family? In this episode, Alicia dives into a struggle many stepmoms silently carry: the belief that they have to earn their place in their own home. Whether you're dealing with outsider syndrome, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling invisible in your stepfamily, th...
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  #151: When Your Stepkids Disrespect You: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know 02.06.2026 18min

  What should a stepmom do when her stepkids are disrespectful? Few things trigger a stepmom faster than being ignored, talked back to, rolled eyes at, or treated like she doesn't matter. When you're already questioning your role in the family, disrespect from a stepchild can feel deeply personal—and it can quickly create resentment, frustration, and conflict in your marriage. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common challenges stepmoms face: dealing...
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  #150: Why Setting Boundaries Feels Mean (And How to Stop Feeling Guilty) 26.05.2026 16min

  Does setting boundaries make you immediately feel guilty? Do you finally decide to say no, ask for space, or stop carrying everyone else's emotions… and then immediately wonder if you're being selfish? You're not alone. In this episode, Alicia is diving into why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable—especially for stepmoms who are used to people pleasing, over-functioning, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone around them. If you've ever felt responsible for keeping the peace, fixing e...
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  #149: Why Stepmoms Confuse Peace With Perfection in Blended Families 19.05.2026 23min

  Are you constantly chasing peace in your blended family… but secretly defining peace as “everything going perfectly”? In this episode, Alicia dives into one of the biggest mindset traps high-achieving stepmoms fall into: believing that peace and perfection are the same thing. From overthinking conversations to trying to control transition days, co-parenting dynamics, schedules, emotions, and everyone else’s reactions, many stepmoms end up emotionally exhausted trying to create a version of fa...
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  148: Summer Break Is Chaos for Stepmoms—Here’s How to Take Back Control of Your Home 12.05.2026 23min

  Summer break sounds fun… until your house turns into chaos, the routines disappear, and you feel like you’re running a summer camp you never signed up for. In this episode, Alicia breaks down how stepmoms can create structure, maintain control, and protect their sanity during summer break—without turning into the “strict” or overwhelmed one in the house. If you’re already dreading the lack of routine, constant transitions between homes, and the mental load of managing it all… this episode is ...
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  #147: Stepmom Struggles: Why Kids Pull Away in Front of Their Other Parent 05.05.2026 29min

  Alicia dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally triggering experiences for stepmoms: why stepchildren suddenly act distant, avoidant, or completely different when their other parent is around. If you’ve ever felt ignored at pickup, brushed off in public, or like your relationship disappears the moment their other parent enters the picture… you are not imagining it. And more importantly—it’s not rejection. This episode breaks down the concept of loyalty binds in stepfamily dynamics...