It's challenging to find ways to be resilient as a stepmom. Repeatedly being rejected by your stepkids can be one of the most difficult setting to be in. No matter how hard you try or what you do, it never seems to be good enough. To make matters worse, your partner comes out smelling like roses (your perception) while you feel like shit (your reality.) You're having a hard time recovering.
Your feelings run from frustration and anger to resentment, from uncertainty and ambiguity to mistrust. And as much as we’d like to hide from those who are the cause of these experiences, as social being, we need to find ways to cope – we need to build our resiliency reserve, the antidote to stress and anxiety.
When you find ways to be resilient as a stepmom, you are more content, fulfilled, and grounded. Think of resilience as that feeling you have when everything is OK, that you have your act together. That's being resilient as a stepmom.
Here are 6 resiliency building tools to help you build your resiliency reserve.
Healthy boundaries helps have a sense of control over your life and your home. You need to communicate those boundaries with your spouse/partner if you want them to be respected. Don’t forget to talk about the follow through – otherwise, your boundaries are useless. You will bounce back from any issues you face - over time.
It’s not about being perfect or making everyone happy, it’s about doing your best and realizing that no one has it all figured out – all the time.
Make a list of 10 things that you do well. For instance, I drink my 8 cups of water each day, I make delicious meals, I’m a good listener, etc. When you feel down on yourself or doubting your abilities as a stepmom, take a second to think about the different things you’re good at and remind yourself that you are not alone in this struggle.
Many times, in my role as a stepmom, I felt like throwing in the towel. The kids often tried my patience and I was often on edge with their mother day in and day out. I’ve found that talking with other stepmoms has helped me find ways to be resilient as a stepmom in these tough times.
During my interview with Wednesday Martin, she talked about finding your squad - women who understand what you’re going through. With the holidays just around the corner, start planning on who will be part of your crew to help you get through one of the most challenging time of the year.
Even on days when you feel like quitting, know that you're not alone. We’re often faced with the challenge of juggling our own lives with those of our stepkids and partner. It's common for a stepmother to feel like she is fighting an uphill battle and that she can't win. When this happens it is important not to give up and instead continue to work on establishing a connection with your family while remembering that there will be bumps in the road.
Remind yourself of all of the success stories from your stepmom experience. I know, you might have a hard time finding any, but I promise you, there are definitely a few, somewhere. Write them down on a sheet of paper (or better still – download my resiliency sheet here)
One of the most difficult aspects of being a stepmom is learning to balance your own needs with those of your spouse and stepkids. Stepmoms often feel as if they never get enough time for themselves and feel overwhelmed with all the responsibility and household work.
The first thing to do is take some time for yourself. You deserve it. Spend an hour by yourself doing something you enjoy, like shopping, reading, watching your favorite show. It's important to stay healthy and happy so that you can be the best stepmom you can be. Another way to work through the difficult times is by talking about them with your partner or close friends. Sometimes just getting it out on the table can make it easier to deal with challenging situations.
After 31 years of being a stepmother, I've realized that it's not about being perfect or making everyone happy. It's about doing your best and realizing that no one is ever perfect. It will take time for you to adjust to this new role, but the more effort you put in, the more confidence you'll gain. Your children may need some help adjusting as well; this transition will be infinitely easier if you stay calm and act like an adult.
In other words, bonus moms with resilience are not only able to bounce back from hardships but they also have tools and support that helps them get back on track. These are ways to be resilient as a stepmom
To read more about my topic on building resiliency as a stepmom, read my article The Resilient Stepmom - 9 Ways To Kick Stress & Anxiety To The Curb in the October issue of Stepmom Magazine
By joining the Stepmom Resource Library, you're not just gaining access to a wealth of valuable resources; you're also becoming part of a supportive community dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of stepfamily life with confidence and grace. Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower yourself and transform your stepfamily experience!
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bounce back, boundaries, confidence, find your squad, resilience, stepmom, support
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