Call Me Stepmom

What happens when we stop talking about the dads in blended families and actually ask them what’s going on in their heads?This week, I’m joined by Kelly and John from the Better Baby Daddy Club for a refreshingly honest conversation about divorce, dad guilt, custody, co-parenting, stepmoms, and the mistakes they wish they could go back and change. Both men get real about their own role in past relationships and how maturity, boundaries, faith, therapy, and a whole lot of growth changed the way they show up as fathers and co-parents.We also get into something SO many stepmoms struggle with: why divorced dads sometimes parent differently out of guilt, what happens when a new woman enters an already-established family, and why a husband may not even notice the behaviors that are driving his wife crazy. And Kelly shares what he learned after being married to stepmoms, including why making his marriage a priority required him to be much more intentional about making his wife feel like she belonged.Plus, we talk about kids moving between homes, sibling relationships, discipline across households, boundaries with an ex, “ours babies,” and what these dads wish stepmoms understood about the men trying to navigate all of it.It’s honest. It’s funny. And it might just make you look at your husband’s side of the blended-family experience a little differently. For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcastWebsite | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/Pateron stepmom community | Join us Connect with the Better Baby Daddy Club on Instagram | @betterbabydaddyclub  Or their website | https://betterbabydaddyclub.com/Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

When a divorced dad keeps letting his ex control the emotional temperature of his life, the new relationship pays the price. In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Wood who reveals why "being nice" to an ex often turns into chaos, how to set boundaries without escalating conflict, and what it actually takes to build a stable home for a new partner and child.Bryan speaks from hard-won experience: military injury, early retirement, divorce, financial devastation, and then a full rebuild into an emotionally and financially independent life. He and Rebecca get real about the pressure stepmoms feel when they’re unknowingly pulled into a marriage with the husband and the ex, and why that dynamic can quietly destroy trust if it isn’t handled early. You'll discover:What it really means for a man to emotionally move on from his exWhy "professional relationship" is the right mindset for co-parentingHow over-accommodating an ex can backfire and create more conflictWhat a divorced dad owes his new partner before the relationship gets seriousWhy stepmoms should not be responsible for managing the ex's boundariesBryan shares the exact shift that changed everything: stop reacting, stop arguing, and stop handing over emotional control. Instead of feeding the conflict, he shows how consistent boundaries and calm non-engagement can change the entire dynamic over time.If you’re a stepmom, a divorced dad, or someone trying to blend a family without losing your sanity, this conversation gives you the language, framework, and clarity to do it better. Essential listening if you’re tired of drama masquerading as co-parenting.Connect with Bryan Wood on Instagram | @the.divorce.warrior  For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcastWebsite | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/Pateron stepmom community | Join us Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Resentment is one of those feelings stepmoms experience but rarely want to admit out loud.In this episode, we’re talking about what resentment actually looks like in stepmom life, why the smallest things can suddenly feel HUGE, and who we’re really angry with when it starts to build. From resentment toward your husband, your stepkids, the other parent, and even yourself, we’re getting honest about the feelings we usually try to push down.I’ll also share some of my own experiences with resentment and walk you through the questions I use to figure out what’s really underneath it and what we can actually do about it.Because sometimes “just let it go” is the least helpful advice ever.You may not be able to change the person or situation that hurt you, but you can decide how much of your peace it gets to take from you.Episode sponsor | Get Out | ⁠www.getout.com⁠ and use code CALLMESTEPMOMFor more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcastWebsite | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/Pateron stepmom community & membership | Join us 

What happens when co-parenting conflict doesn’t stay between the co-parents and starts creeping into your marriage, your home, and your relationship with your stepkids?In this episode of Call Me Stepmom, I sit down with Livi North, founder of Unfuck Your Co-Parenting, to talk about navigating high-conflict co-parenting from both the biological parent and stepparent perspective.We get into what actually makes someone “high conflict,” why a new partner can sometimes pour gasoline on an already difficult dynamic, parental alienation, kids becoming messengers between homes, and the complicated line between supporting your partner and getting pulled too far into their battle.We also talk about the boundaries that can protect your marriage and your home and why stepmoms don't need anyone's permission to love, support, and show up for their stepkids.If you've ever felt like someone else's conflict has taken up way too much space in your home, this conversation is for you.Connect with Livi North On Instagram | @unfuckyourcoparenting  Her website | https://unfuckyourcoparenting.com/For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcastWebsite | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/Pateron stepmom community | Join us Episode sponsor:Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Welcome to the very first episode of Call Me Stepmom. I’m Becca, a wife, mom, and stepmom to three, and I’m starting this podcast because stepmoms deserve a space where we can talk about how this role actually feels, not just how we’re told we should feel.In this first episode, I’m sharing how I became a stepmom, the honeymoon phase when I jumped headfirst into doing all the things no one asked me to do, and the reality check that came when I realized just how complicated blended-family life can be. I also share what happened when my teenage stepson moved in full-time and I suddenly found myself questioning everything about what my role was supposed to be.We’re talking overcompensating, wanting everyone to like you, complicated feelings, different relationships with different stepkids, and why there is no one right way to be a stepmom.This show will absolutely be a place to vent but we’re not stopping there. We’re going to ask, Okay, this is hard… now what?Around here, you don't need to be the perfect stepmom. We just want you to be an honest one. Welcome to Call Me Stepmom.For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcastWebsite | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/Pateron stepmom community | Join us Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM