Are you the outcast in your stepfamily? Dating and marriage is a process that is complicated enough on it’s own, never mind coming into a family that has already been established. Marrying someone with children from a previous relationship can be a delicate mind field that requires a certain finesse to master.
Certified Master Stepfamily Coach, Claudette Chenevert, found herself in a similar situation over twenty years ago when she, a single mom to a 6 year old boy, married her husband. She became a stepmom to two girls. After several years worth of failures and successes Claudette was able to determine what steps needed to be taken to successfully integrate oneself into an established family and make it function on its own. From the constant presence of an ex to taking on a parenting role over night, Claudette knows how to handle it all. To find out more about Claudette or her approach, you can visit her Stepmom Coach website.
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Are you dreading that trip over the river and through the woods to your in-laws’ house this season? Does it feel like going to visit the family brings more stress than joy to your holidays? Dealing with in-laws can be complicated any time of the year, and feeling trapped under their roof during the already high-tension holidays can take things to a whole new level.
Thankfully, Dr. Susan Orenstein is here to share things you can do both for yourself and for your family to keep tensions down and help everyone have a peaceful, joyful holiday together. Susan is a licensed psychologist with advanced training in cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling. She has her own practice, Orenstein Solutions, with offices in both Cary and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and also holds regular couples workshops.
You can find her online at OrensteinSolutions.com, or call her office at (919) 428-2766 to find out more or set up an appointment.
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No matter how many “Happy Holidays” wishes you receive, the season can be just as stressful as it is enjoyable, and that stress can be even greater if you’re part of a blended family. Does shuffling the kids from one home to another feel too disruptive? Does it seem impossible to meet everyone’s vision of that perfect Christmas morning?
Barbara Keyworth returns to the show to talk about the issues stepfamilies face when it comes to the holidays, and to share tips on relieving some of that stress and making the season a happy one for all. Barbara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a practice in Raleigh and 23 years of experience. Her website is BKeyworth.com, where you can find out more about her counseling services and qualifications, and you can call her office at 919.783.8004 for an appointment.
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