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In this episode, Katie speaks with Charlotte—a stepmum to a little girl—about the heartbreak of wanting more time, more connection, and more space to love… but not being able to.

Charlotte adores her stepdaughter. She wants to be present, involved, and part of her world. But right now, that’s not possible—and it hurts. She opens up about the quiet grief of being left out, the sting of feeling second best, and the emotional tightrope she walks between her partner and his ex.

Together, Katie and Charlotte explore:

• What it feels like to love a child you can’t fully show up for
• The emotional toll of feeling sidelined in your own relationship
• How loyalty binds and blurred boundaries can leave stepmums stuck
• Why being “second best” isn’t about love—it’s about power, access, and visibility
• How to protect your emotional wellbeing when you’re walking on eggshells

This episode is for any stepmum who’s felt invisible, unheard, or like her love isn’t enough. Charlotte’s story is tender, honest, and a reminder that your feelings matter—even when your role feels uncertain.

Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, feeling left out as a stepmum, stepmum boundaries, stepmum and ex dynamics, stepmum podcast, stepmum emotional wellbeing, second best in stepfamily, stepmum grief, stepmum validation, stepmum relationship challenges

🔗 Need support?

• Book a free intro coaching call: stepmumspace.com/booking
• Learn more about Katie’s work: stepmumspace.com

🎧 Listen now—and share with a stepmum who needs to hear that her love is real, and her place matters.

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