Archive for October, 2009

Meet the NC Triangle Stepmoms

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Bahama BreezeStepmother’s Milk Readers,

I wanted to share with you a note I received from Elizabeth Hall, founder of the North Carolina Triangle Stepmoms. I found her on meetup.com when I started The Real Stepmoms of Travis County. (We’re having a mixer tonight @ 7p at Vino Vino by the way.) I asked her to send me a picture of her group and tell me how the NC Triangle Steps came to be. It turns out, her story is very similar to mine, and maybe yours, too?

From Elizabeth…

I, too, have enjoyed seeing “my” little group really grow and reach out to others. I searched and searched for a support group, thinking “surely, I’m not the only one who’s thought of this or is struggling this way.” But my attempts turned up empty-handed. It was finally suggested to me that I start my OWN group. I scoffed at the idea a little, but once the ball got rolling, boy did it get rolling! We’re a little over a year and 20 stepmoms strong now and I have humbly accepted the praise and appreciation from our members.

As for our meetings, I try very hard to take suggestions. I often will use Doodle.com to put up surveys for members to vote on times and locations. Sometimes, however, I just have to take the bull by the horns in order to make events happen, particularly when we have a lot of new members because they are often unsure of what to suggest. Because we span about a 2 hour distance from one end of the spectrum to the other, we generally try to meet somewhere in the middle, which often equates to the Southpoint area or a restaurant in Raleigh.

The NC Triangle Stepmoms meet next on Saturday, November 14th.

Have you recently attended a Stepmom Mixer in your city or town? Send me a picture of your group and I’ll send you a signed copy of The Package Deal as a thank you for encouraging other women to follow your lead. Tell us how your group got started. Where do you meet? How often? What have you learned from each other?

Not sure how to get a group together? You can start by reading How to Host a Stepmom Mixer.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Izzy_Rose

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New Podcast: Divorced Dads

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

mic New Podcast: Divorced Dads

Tune in to the Stepmom Circles podcast ( formerly Becoming a Stepmom podcast) to listen to a conversation with Jacquelyn Fletcher, author of the award-winning book A Career Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Stepmom and Joel Schwartzberg, the author of The 40-Year-Old Version“>The 40-Year Old Version: Humoirs of a Divorced Dad.

You can read my review of Joel’s book HERE.

Enjoy!

Izzy_Rose

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Life Coach Offers Advice

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

gossip2 Girlfriends: Head over to The Stepmom Tool Box where Tess Marshall, author of Flying by the Seat of My Soul will be answering your questions all day long!

Tess Marshall, MA, is an author, speaker and life coach. She has a masters degree in counseling psychology and had a private practice for 15 years before beginning her blog, The Bold Life. Tess has guided people from all walks of life in their quest for greater meaning, purpose and happiness.

In her wise and heartfelt book, Flying by The Seat of My Soul, Tess integrates moving personal stories, profound lessons, uplifting quotes and stories of others that provoke thoughtful self-examination.

Peggy Nolan (aka Tool Box Girl) will be giving away a FREE signed copy of Tess’ book to one lucky stepmom today, but you gotta play to be entered! So, today’s challenge is to finish this sentence: “When I am living my ideal life, I am ____________________”

Have fun!

Izzy_Rose

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A New Direction for Stepmother’s Milk

Monday, October 26th, 2009

voicesMy Dear Ladies,

You may notice that Stepmother’s Milk looks a little different from the last time you visited. It’s been freshened up and redesigned, but the big change is its New Direction.

As many of you know, I’ve spent the last three years sharing my stories. Through my many posts, you’ve come to know me, my husband, The Young One and The Tall One. You’ve listened to me rage, weep and wonder. You’ve given me strength and hope, and best of all, you’ve empowered me.

And while empowerment, in my opinion, is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone, that’s not all you’ve done. Because of your loyal readership and unending support, Stepmother’s Milk has become a superstar platform, and not just for me, but for stepmothers all over the country. The Stepmother’s Milk forum, where women seek out advice from other stepmoms, is the highest trafficked page on this site, followed by the Stepmom Spotlight, where every month I highlight a new stepmom with a unique story to tell.

When I first discovered the rising popularity of the Forum and the Spotlight, my ego was a little hurt. Humpf! I guess I’m not enough woman for all of you?! But, I get it. There’s not one of us who can be the go-to girl for all things step. There’s over twenty million of you and only one of me. With this in mind, I decided I can serve you better by dialing down some of the Izzy on Stepmother’s Milk and turning up other voices in the stepmom coummunity.

Over the next few weeks, you will begin to see guest posts from some of my favorite stepmom bloggers like Erin Erickson and La Belle Mere. You’ll see content from Blended Family Soap Opera, Stepmom Magazine and The Stepmom’s Tool Box. I’ll be sure to include “don’t-miss” events by Jacquelyn Fletcher and Claudette Chenevert. And I’ll be introducing you to the newest, coolest up-and-coming bloggers.

Plus, I’ll be answering your questions when you Ask Izzy and I’ll be regularly promoting upcoming Stepmom Meet Ups and Mixers in different parts of the country. And I’ll continue to write about my life in Austin, Texas. I’m not disappearing. Just sharing this stage.

I’m super excited, and as always, I want your feedback.

Love you long time,

Izzy_Rose

Image courtesy of farisyakob.typepad.com

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No One’s the Bitch on Dr. Phil

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

NOTB_cover_smallerHi all,
Below is a message from colleague and pal, Jennifer Newcomb Marine, co-author of No-One’s the Bitch: A Ten-Step for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship. She’s got exciting news and a request for your help:

Carol [Marine] and I have the opportunity to be on the Dr. Phil show next Tuesday and are doing a pre-interview with a producer today. We’re looking for two stepmom/mom sets of women who can’t stand each other who are willing to be on the show with us on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. If the show/we can’t come up with an unhappy counterpart to “us,” then we won’t be on either! We’re trying to find someone as soon as possible.

I know the idea of baring your soul (and neck) on national television is kind of scary, but it’s a real chance at creating some movement and understanding in this relationship, and could potentially help a lot of folks as they vicariously share the experience. Mom and stepmom participants would have the opportunity to get some focused help from him… and us! Also, hotel and airfare for the trip would be covered by the show.

I know the idea of baring your soul (and neck) on national television is kind of scary, but it’s a real chance at creating some movement and understanding in this relationship…

It sure would feel great to help contribute to a breakthrough between people — these relationships can be so painful and fraught, and yet, when you finally make a connection, so incredibly healing and supportive too.

I’m sure we’re all in agreement about how important it is to increase media coverage for stepmom, stepfamily, and dual-family issues (including the single parents) after divorce and remarriage. Why is hardly anyone talking about the dynamics — and risks — of these two-family situations, or better yet, how to navigate them in a healthy way?? With an almost 75% divorce rate for stepfamilies, and a lack of “mended relationship” models for children to internalize (and draw from later as adults), there’s a lot at stake! Getting on Dr. Phil would be one way to encourage a larger dialogue.

Interested? If so, drop me (Jennifer Newcomb Marine) a line at: marine2marine@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Cheers,
Jennifer

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