The Stepmom Side Podcast

166 Episodes

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#166: When Dad Won’t Enforce the Rules: What a Stepmom Should—and Shouldn’t—Do

2026-09-1645:17

Who should discipline the stepkids—and what should a stepmom do when her partner refuses to enforce the rules? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares what happened when her desire for a structured, cooperative household collided with her husband’s desire to avoid correcting his children during their limited time together. While he ran around doing everything for them—and ended each day completely exhausted—Alicia stepped in to enforce the expectations herself. It seemed li...

#165: It’s Not a Character Flaw: How Perimenopause Affects Memory, Mood and Stress with Jennifer Gularson

2026-09-0801:03:27

If you’ve recently found yourself forgetting appointments, waking up drenched in sweat at 2 a.m., struggling to concentrate, or feeling completely overwhelmed by things you used to manage without a problem, it may not be a character flaw. It could be perimenopause. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP, to unpack what really happens to women’s bodies and brains during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer explains why perimenopause s...

#164: When Back-to-School Stress Turns Into Resentment Toward Your Partner

2026-09-0153:33

Back-to-school stress can expose an unequal division of labor in a blended family—especially when the stepmom is managing school supplies, schedules, transportation, meals, forms, and everyone’s emotions while her partner waits to be told what to do. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explains why resentment is rarely about one forgotten form or shopping trip. It often develops because the stepmom is carrying the invisible mental load: noticing what needs to happen, planning ...

#163: Homework Battles in Blended Families: What Is the Stepmom’s Role?

2026-08-2534:42

What should a stepmom do when her stepchild refuses to complete homework—or when she cares more about missing assignments than her partner does? Homework battles in blended families are rarely only about schoolwork. Different expectations between homes, unclear stepparent roles, limited authority, and a lack of partner support can leave the stepmom managing assignments, checking the school portal, enforcing consequences, and becoming resentful. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Ali...

#162: Different Rules at Each House: How to Create a School Routine That Works

2026-08-1849:39

What should a stepmom do when the rules are completely different at each house? Different bedtimes, screen limits, homework expectations, chores, and consequences can make school routines especially difficult in blended families. Children may resist the rules, struggle on transition days, or repeatedly remind the stepmom that things are different at their mom’s house. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explains how blended families can create consistent school routines within...

#box-pro-ellipsis-178965734844976{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}The Stepmom Side Podcast