“I can’t get my stepkids to eat healthy foods,” a stepmother shared with me. “When they are at their mom’s house they eat fast food and stuff filled with chemicals….
Laura Petherbridge
Laura Petherbridge is an international speaker and author of, When ‘I Do’ Becomes ‘I Don’t’, The Smart Stepmom, 101 Tips for The Smart Stepmom, Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul. She has appeared at/on the Billy Graham Center, Family Talk (Dobson), Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, FamilyLife, Lifeway, and Moody Broadcasting. Laura has been a featured expert on the DivorceCare DVD series implemented in over 60,000 churches worldwide. In addition to the US, she has spoken in South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Laura and Steve live in Atlanta, Ga, and have been married for 35 years. She has two stepsons, daughters-in-law, and grandkids. She may be reached at www.TheSmartStepmom.com
Death in a Step family
I was in Tyler, Texas getting ready to stand before one thousand women when I got the call from my brother, Mark. “Dad has had a stroke, he is in…
Holidays and the Stepfamily
Sometimes, Christmas in a blended family can appear more like a war zone than the birth of a sacred Savior. The battles between two homes such as gifts, visitation, traditions…
When the Stepkids Are Adults
“I’ve decided to begin some new techniques with my adult stepkids,” stepmom Nancy shared with me. “I sent an email to my step daughter-in-law sharing how I wanted to begin a…
Stepfamily Suggestions for Weddings, Graduations and Proms, Oh My!
There’s nothing like a wedding, graduation, prom, or special occasion to get the tension taut in a stepfamily. That’s because dreams, family traditions, and high expectations are tied to these…
The Things This Stepmom Did Right
Recently, my husband and I attended his son’s 40th birthday party. It’s hard to believe he was 11 when Steve and I married. Now he is grown up, with a…
Top Ten Financial Topics to Tackle Before a Remarriage
My husband, Steve, was a banker for 25 years. So when it comes to people and their finances, he has seen it all. His signature statement is, “I spent the first…
Handling the Holidays During Loss or Grief
October through December can be an excruciating time of year for those who have experienced a loss. In addition to the death of a loved one, divorce, illness, family trauma,…
Learning How to Love My Stepsons
If I’m being totally honest, there were times in my early years as a stepmom that I didn’t even like my stepsons, much less love them. To me they seemed…
Stepping Up—Helping Others on Mother’s Day
Do you know someone who is dreading Mother’s Day ? The commemorative celebration filled with flowers, joy, and appreciation can turn into a trigger of despair for many women. As…