Your Advice is Needed

A neighbor of mine has asked for advice from you readers. Her issue? Well let me tell you her story, which might take some time.

She and her husband had a bit of a struggle a few years back and he wondered, the wondering created a child. She was so upset by this that they split, eventually she went back, but once again he got the other lady pregnant.

The other lady (mother of the two boys) refused to allow her babies near his wife, in the hopes that he'd eventually leave her. This didn't work, they got stronger and eventually the biological mother let him take the kids to visit him at his home. But it wasn't until this year, which means their New mom is very new at this and has many obstacles and questions.

When the boys come back to them they treat her so horribly plus they are mean to one another and always hitting. As a new mother she doesn't want to punish and is always stating "they already tell me they hate me." Any advice for her? I told her she still needs to correct.

My own childhood was very much like this, my father once said they'd get me back wild and it would take a few days to get me right again but then I'd be off to her place in a few days. But they always stuck with the "rules" and that's how it worked. I have suggested to her to lay down the laws and have her husband work with her on it, otherwise she will always be the doormat to those boys. i know she loves them, in fact the slightest thing will get her to go shopping and buy them something.

Who Pays for the Wedding?

My kids aren't old enough to worry about marriage but I remember when it came time for my sister to get married. I recently watched an episode on Reba where Van and Cheyenne are renewing their wedding vows and Reba is honored to plan the wedding until she finds out she must share the planning with the crazy (new wife)Barbara-Jean. Ya know the same woman that stole her man while she was married.

Here's a question, "Who pays for the wedding?" For traditions sake it is normally the bride's family that pays for the wedding. But what happens when her family is a blended family, does one pay more than the other?

What's your take on it?

Review: Stepping-Stones For Stepmoms

First off I'm going to state that I am not a stepmom, but I was a step-daughter and think if I had just a little insight to what this book revealed back then life would've been much easier. This is one of those books that will walk you through the steps that a stepmom must go through in order to be part of "The" family. While reading this book, do keep in mind that it is religious so if religion isn't your cup of tea it may not be for you. However if you can, it may really help you understand the life of a stepmom and what they go through.

This will be a bit different for a review, I'm going to share with you certain quotes and then life through the eyes of a step-daughter and a mom. Yes, mom because I think that this book would even help moms and not just stepmoms. (Sorry Karen but I think it would benefit everyone out there that has children)

For instance- Anger issues. What's the first thing that happens when your child lies to you or your spouse? How do you feel? Karen will walk you through how it feels as a stepmom, the hurt, resentment, anger, etc and how to overcome that. No you don't just strike out like so many do. Find out why it is happening.

For each chapter in "Stepping-Stones" there are several questions to answer and help you through the process. Each chapter begins with a verse from the bible, the story of the challenge, encouragement to get through it, a prayer and the questions.

My favorite part in the book was on page 131 where she talks about her life on a day of coping. "Peace in Coping" her family is at a soccer game and at the very end, their son runs off with his mom for the weekend and yells "Love you both," without fear of how his mom feels. I think this is a remarkable moment, I remember that feeling of dread or the look in others eyes. It takes a remarkable family to be able to deal with this. But with the steps inside this book you just might be able to achieve that. Shouldn't every child feel fearless, whether he/she is with mom or dad?

Blog Tour: Stepping-Stones for Stepmoms

Karon Goodman pens a Stepmom Guide on just how to do it, sprinkled inside with prayers to help you get through it, life stories, scriptures and questions for you. Hopefully it will be something to help you know that you are not alone in this journey of parenthood.

Up This Week: Everything Karon Goodman

This week we will have a review on Karon Goodman's most recent book, "Stepping-Stones for Stepmoms," a bit on her, summary of the book, links to others doing the blog tour and just about anything else I can dig up on this stepmom. Hey, everyone needs a bit of insight to the stepfamily life. Don't you think?