Stepmonster

Reaching to the core of the stepmother experience.

Wednesday Martin, Ph.D., is the author of the book Stepmonster. See full bio

November 23, 2009

Stepfamily Holidays: Serving Up "Togetherness," Passing on the Drama

Give yourself a minute (okay, twenty) to listen to this podcast especially for women with stepkids at holiday time. In it I chat with Jacque Fletcher, author of A Career Girl's Guide to Becoming a Stepmom. Read More

November 20, 2009

Five Tricks to Help Stressed Stepparents Enjoy the Holidays

As Thanksgiving approaches, instead of feeling the warm anticipation of a day to spend with family, plenty of "steps" across America are downing antacids. And really it's no surprise. Read More

November 17, 2009

"Why Are There Two Turkeys?" Happy Holidays for Stepfamilies

Stepfamilies are under extra stress as the holidays--with their pressure cooker of "family" expectations--get underway. While they now outnumber first families in the U.S., many stepfamily members report feeling second-best and misunderstood when our thoughts turn to turkey, yultide, and latkahs. Read More

November 10, 2009

PornStar Mom, SuperStar Stepmom...What About Dad?

Why do I feel so sorry for a former porn-star and drug user who might lose custody of her five-year-old daughter? Too bad the custody "catfight" between Sandra Bullock and former porn star Janine Lundemulder is letting dad off the hook... Read More

November 6, 2009

What Can We Learn from the Killer at Fort Hood?

What can we learn from a military psychiatrist--trained to treat those returning from war with post traumatic stress disorder--opening fire on his fellow soldiers and humans, killing twelve, injuring 31 more? Read More

November 5, 2009

Teens Can Drive You Nuts--Especially When They're Not Yours!

We all know that parenting teenagers is no piece of cake, but I have to say it's harder with a stepchild than your own flesh and blood. It's especially hard for stepmothers Read More

November 3, 2009

What Makes Stepmothering a Feminist Issue?

Our perception of stepmothers--empowered, evil excluders--couldn't be further from the picture painted by the last three decades of research. Indeed we might think of stepmothers as the "stepchild" of the family system. Read More

October 29, 2009

Why Did the Divorced Dad Build a Wall?

Why did the divorced dad build a wall? And how did it help his relationship with his child and his partner grow? Read More

October 27, 2009

Wild Things and the Dance of Temperament in Step/family Life

Wild things are part of step/family living, and they tend to run wildest in times of transition and stress. Dr. Rebecca Mannis says that knowing their temperament and learning style may be the best way to keep everyone (relatively) calm. Read More

October 21, 2009

Push Comes to Shove: When Kids get Physical with Stepmom

We've long held the view that stepmothers are wicked and powerful excluders who mistreat their husbands' children. But they may actually be uniquely vulnerable to violence--from their stepkids Read More

Books by Wednesday Martin, Ph.D.

Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way We Do

Parenting Basics

Parenting can be the most stressful--and rewarding--job of your life. We can all think of ways we'd do things differently from our parents, and no doubt your kids will find ways they would parent differently from you.

Go to the Parenting Basics page for more on Parenting including:

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.

Subscribe to Stepmonster

Books by Wednesday Martin, Ph.D.

Parenting Basics

Current Issue