My Stepson Is Navigating Opposite Households, and I’m Not Sure How to Help

My Stepson Is Navigating Opposite Households, and I’m Not Sure How to Help

From Talkaboutable with Dr. Susan Swick by Lemonada Media

September 30, 2025 · 42 min · Episode 4

About this episode

Jamie, a stepmother, navigates the challenges of being a stepparent in a blended family with differing household rules.

How can you be the best stepparent you can be when half of your stepchild’s life is out of your hands? Jamie is a stepmother trying to find the most helpful and healthy way to show up for her husband and his son, a role she cherishes though sometimes finds hard and confusing, particularly when it comes to the rules and expectations set by the bio mom. This is an episode about unconventional arrangements and the challenges that they can bring, as well as the unique opportunities they present for connection, growth, and love. Talkaboutable is produced by Lemonada Media, in partnership with the Ohana Center for Child and Family Mental Health at Montage Health, and made possible through funding from the Montage Health Foundation. Together, we are committed to helping families talk about the issues children, teens, and young adults are facing today. We believe that when these conversations happen at home — even about the most challenging subjects — children build the skills they need to flourish. Because when families are connected, the hard moments become more bearable, the good moments become even better, and it all becomes Talkaboutable. Stay up to date with Lemonada on X, Facebook…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Susan Swick

Guest: Jamie

Topics covered

  • stepparenting
  • family dynamics
  • co-parenting
  • child mental health
  • support systems

Keywords

  • stepparent
  • blended family
  • co-parenting
  • child support
  • family communication

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ohana Center for Child and Family Mental Health, Montage Health, Montage Health Foundation

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