tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post4079867784370171841..comments2024-02-03T10:59:44.384-05:00Comments on What To Wear Wednesdays: Interview with a STEPPIE!Shari Braendelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785980426298777686noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-73182624778576618712008-05-13T17:53:00.000-04:002008-05-13T17:53:00.000-04:00Shari and Carly, thanks so much for the devotion a...Shari and Carly, thanks so much for the devotion and interview. I am a mother of 3 sons and stepmother to 3 girls, ages 14, 11 and 10. It has been okay but also tough especially with the 14 and 10-year olds. Their mom is usually very reluctant with letting us see them. The 11 year old has been spending the summer with us since she was 6 years old. In the past, she told some lies and caused some mishaps and it was very hurting. I love them all and just want to be there for them whenever they need anything. How do I break the ice with my 14-year old so that she can get comfortable with me? I thought about taking her to the mall for a girl's day and getting our nails done. Thanks again for this blessed interview and devotion. It really encourages me.<BR/><BR/>LaTonya/FLGOD'S LADIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999057607636880755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-19823325100754454802008-05-13T16:44:00.000-04:002008-05-13T16:44:00.000-04:00p.s. Carol Kuykendall is a dear friend from our pr...p.s. Carol Kuykendall is a dear friend from our previous church! ;) Great writer and resources.Carolina Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08392310590006048371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-81035967485345995872008-05-13T16:40:00.000-04:002008-05-13T16:40:00.000-04:00Shari, That's awesome! I'm just a Mommy and yet yo...Shari, That's awesome! I'm just a Mommy and yet your words, cheerleader, etc. are true for all of us to strive for each day! God Bless!Carolina Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08392310590006048371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-53544200507324645262008-05-13T14:18:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:18:00.000-04:00Shari and Carly, This was great advice. I am a ...Shari and Carly,<BR/> This was great advice. I am a Steppie, too. It's hard, but it is a blessing!<BR/><BR/>Shari,way to go! Great devo and great blog. <BR/><BR/>Hugs,<BR/><BR/>SusanneSusannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04468602228983056435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-584373190561106792008-05-13T13:03:00.000-04:002008-05-13T13:03:00.000-04:00I'm neither a mom nor do I have any step parents b...I'm neither a mom nor do I have any step parents but I read your devotional this afternoon and I was truly blessed by it. Thank you. I loved the interview with your step-daughter too! I loved how she said that being a steppie is a pretty thankless job.Well I think any mother has that kind of job. With it just being mother's day I feel like I need to go back to my mom and really share with her how much she means to me and how thankful I am for all her hard work...even if I'm married and living out of the house now...she still supports us every step of the way (along with my dad too!)<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing!!<BR/>LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-19039481820491901732008-05-13T12:13:00.000-04:002008-05-13T12:13:00.000-04:00I married my husband 20 years ago when his childre...I married my husband 20 years ago when his children from his previous marriage were 11, 8 and 7 years old, so I have many years experience being a stepmom. Advice I would give a new stepmom...although it's hard at times, try not to take it personally if your stepkids don't seem warm and fuzzy and friendly at times...they are grieving the loss of their parents together and even worried about if they love you that it will hurt their mom. I tried to leave the major discipline stuff to their dad too. Just be there for them, be a friend/mentor/aunt type figure, don't try to take their mom's place, don't speak evil of their mom. I have good relationships with all three of my adult stepkids and have six step grandkids too that are really just like my own, even though I didn't have children of my own. And last but not least, pray, pray, pray!!<BR/>KellyKellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575872158431227773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-76514373139270811162008-05-13T12:07:00.000-04:002008-05-13T12:07:00.000-04:00First, I just want to thank Carly & Shari for shar...First, I just want to thank Carly & Shari for sharing their story. I became a stepmom in 1996 to a 9 year old girl (she was 7 when I met her Dad). She is soon to be 21 and I thank God for her everyday, as she is (and will be) the only child I will have.<BR/><BR/>Second, to amanda12281, I just want to say continue hanging on to your hope! When kids are that young, they truly don't understand the circumstances around you coming into their lives. Your step-son will go through different stages of adjustment, and over time, will come to understand that you love him too, and want to be there to encourage, support, and guide him....just as his bio Mom & Dad do. Take things one day at a time, always discuss issues with your soon-to-be spouse if something comes up that is bothering or worrying you, and always, always seek God's guidance. God bless!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-35983834852012058602008-05-13T09:55:00.000-04:002008-05-13T09:55:00.000-04:00thank you for this article! i am a mom to 2 daught...thank you for this article! i am a mom to 2 daughters, ages 4 and 10 and a stepdaughter, age 17 and stepson, age 12 as well as guardian to my 17 year old sister. we don't see my stepkids much, but how can I bond with them more? Their mom is a hinderence to us getting close. I desperatly want us to be close but I don't feel like they love me at all. Thanks so muchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-57544292722698928402008-05-13T09:48:00.001-04:002008-05-13T09:48:00.001-04:00I received your devotion in my email today, and I ...I received your devotion in my email today, and I just want to thank you... My fiance and I are going to get married soon... He has a seven year old son, and it has been so difficult... I feel like we take a step forward and then slide back... I've been trying to find that balance of fitting into his son's life all while reassuring him that I am just another person who will love him... He's got mom and dad, but I'm an extra somebody that will love and care about him too... It gives me so much hope... Thank-you!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-10996582430349837522008-05-13T09:48:00.000-04:002008-05-13T09:48:00.000-04:00Thank you so much for writing this blog. It is so ...Thank you so much for writing this blog. It is so hard to find good Christian articles about second marriages and step children. Did you have many issues with step-siblings? <BR/><BR/>--Margaret<BR/>texasmagz@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-28169917111197974332008-05-13T09:34:00.000-04:002008-05-13T09:34:00.000-04:00Shari,I am so proud of you and Carly. Thank you f...Shari,<BR/>I am so proud of you and Carly. Thank you for being open with us. I have a couple of friends I am passing this on to.Charlene Kiddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816222585730867554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260249633634164991.post-23679905744725995892008-05-13T09:08:00.000-04:002008-05-13T09:08:00.000-04:00Shari and Carly, I give thanks to God for speaking...Shari and Carly, I give thanks to God for speaking through both of you -- if I didn't know better, I'd say I wrote this interview! My husband and I have vowed to raise our children (my 3 stepchildren and our little guy) in God's light and love, but it gets discouraging sometimes. This was such a source of encouragement and light. THANK YOU!! THANK GOD!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com