The Stepmom Diaries | Blended Family & Stepmom Support Podcast

Stepfamily Solutions
  • 4.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The Stepmom Diaries is a podcast for stepmoms navigating blended family life, marriage stress, coparenting conflict, emotional burnout, and the realities nobody talks about. Hosted by Cameron Normand of Stepfamily Solutions, this podcast keeps it honest with relatable conversations about stepmom life, relationships, identity, resentment, boundaries, and building healthier blended families. As a second wife and stepmom to four kids, Cameron combines real-life experience with practical support to help stepmoms feel less alone, less overwhelmed, and more confident in their role.

  1. 3 hrs ago

    What LGBTQ Families Want You to Know About Parenting, Acceptance, and Belonging | Jaimie Kelton & José Rolón

    Have you ever realized that the things that make a family look different on the outside don't change what matters most on the inside? In this episode, I sit down with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón to talk about LGBTQ families, parenting, belonging, and the many ways families are built. From infertility and surrogacy to stepfamily dynamics and family acceptance, we explore the challenges and joys of creating a family that may not fit society's traditional expectations. What stood out most in this conversation is how much LGBTQ families and blended families have in common. The desire to love, connect, belong, and create a safe home for our children is universal. In this episode, we cover: • The unique paths many LGBTQ families take to parenthood • Why representation and visibility matter for kids and families • The double standards faced by stepmoms, stepdads, and modern families • How to teach children about different family structures with openness and acceptance If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend and help us continue creating conversations that celebrate all kinds of families. Resources Mentioned Follow Love Take Two Podcast The Queer Family Podcast Follow José Rolón on Instagram @NYCGayDad https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/ Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts   Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families looking for practical guidance, validation, and encouragement.

    36 min

  2. Jun 18

    When the Rules Change House to House: How Kids Navigate Values Across Two Homes | Bailey Oliver Blackburn, PhD

    Ever feel like your stepkids are living in two completely different worlds? The rules change from house to house, expectations don't always match, and somehow everyone expects the kids to make sense of it all. In this episode, I sit down with researcher, professor, stepmom, and former stepchild Bailey Oliver Blackburn, PhD to discuss new research on co-parenting with different values and what happens when children are navigating two households with very different beliefs, expectations, and parenting styles. Bailey shares insights from a recent study exploring how co-parents manage divergent values, the impact on children, and the communication strategies that help families reduce conflict and support kids without forcing them to choose sides. In This Episode, We Cover: • What happens when children are raised across households with different values and beliefs • The surprising challenges families reported beyond politics and religion • How parents can discuss values without putting kids in loyalty binds • Why high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting deserve more research If you've ever wondered how to protect your relationship with your stepkids while navigating differences between households, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of reassurance that you're not alone. Resources Mentioned Bailey Oliver Blackburn: https://www.baileyoliverblackburn.com UA Little Rock Department of Applied Communication: https://ualr.edu/appliedcommunication/ Get our FREE 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms and get the exact words for your toughest stepmom conversations! https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts  Join the waitlist for our free Stepmom Summit happening virtually September 14th-18th, 2026: https://thestepmomsummit.com/  Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more stepmoms and blended families who need these conversations.

    29 min

  3. Jun 11

    Why Overwhelmed Stepmoms Feel Like They're Drowning (Even When They're Doing Everything Right) | Lisa Woodruff

    Ever feel like you're carrying everyone else's responsibilities while somehow still feeling like you're failing? Yeah... you're not alone. In this episode, I'm chatting with organizational expert and Escaping Quicksand author Lisa Woodruff to talk about why so many overwhelmed stepmoms feel like they're drowning, even when they're doing everything right. We dive into the invisible load many women carry, the unique challenge of having responsibility without control in a blended family, and practical ways to create more peace, structure, and boundaries in your daily life. In this episode, we cover: • Why stepmoms often feel responsible for everything but in control of very little • The invisible mental load that contributes to stepmom burnout • How weekly planning conversations can reduce stress and resentment • Simple ways to reclaim control and prioritize your own self-care Resources Mentioned Get Lisa's book Escaping Quicksand: https://escapingquicksand.com Organize 365: Practical organization systems, planning tools, and resources designed to help busy women reduce overwhelm and create a more functional home and life. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: Follow Lisa Woodruff for insights on organization, productivity, household management, and personal development. Follow Organize 365 on Instagram Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need these conversations.

    24 min

  4. Jun 8 ·  Bonus

    You've Been Showing Up for Everyone Else. This Is for You.

    You've been showing up for everyone else. These 3 days are for you!  What it is: The Stepmom Retreat is a three-day retreat being held on the Gulf Coast of Florida in a stunning private waterfront home in Siesta Key. Real coaching built from the ground up for your life. Just 10 stepmoms. When: November 6th-8th, 2026 Where: Siesta Key, Florida  👉 Reserve your spot: stepfamilycircle.com/retreat This is the experience I wished existed when I was in the thick of it. So I built it for you!

    1 min

  5. Jun 4

    The Worst Things People Say to Stepmoms (And Why They Hurt So Much)

    "You knew what you signed up for." If you're a stepmom, chances are you've heard that phrase before. Maybe it's, "At least you get every other week off." Or, "Why do you care so much? They're not your kids." And if you're anything like me, those comments don't just annoy you. They stick with you. In this episode, I'm unpacking some of the worst things people say to stepmoms, why these comments hurt so much, and how to stop letting other people's opinions define your role in your family. We'll talk about the hidden emotional load many stepmoms carry, the unique challenges of stepfamily life, and what to do when someone completely misses the reality of what you're experiencing. In This Episode, We Cover: Why comments like "You knew what you signed up for" feel so invalidating The hidden emotional load and role ambiguity many stepmoms carry What to say when someone misunderstands your role in the family How to build confidence in your place within your blended family Resources Mentioned Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepfamilysolutions/ Check out the 5-part series I did on "Things People Say to Stepmoms" HERE Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Join us at The Stepmom Retreat in Florida | Nov. 6–8, 2026: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat] A weekend for stepmoms who are tired of feeling alone in this role and ready for real connection, support, and growth:  Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

    27 min

  6. May 28

    Why Summer Is So Hard for Stepmoms (And How to Protect Your Peace)

    Anybody else look at the summer custody schedule and immediately feel their eye start twitching? 😅 In this episode, we're talking about why summer hits so differently in a blended family and why so many stepmoms head into this season already feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and exhausted before it even begins. From schedule changes and camp logistics to vacation drama and invisible labor, summer can bring out every existing stress point in stepfamily life. But you are not powerless in it. In this episode, we cover: Why summer creates so much stress for stepmoms The hidden mental load many stepmoms carry during this season How to protect your peace instead of trying to make summer "perfect" Simple communication and boundary strategies that actually help If summer in your blended family already feels chaotic before it's even started, this episode will help you feel less alone and a whole lot more prepared. Resources we mentioned in this episode: Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy: [https://stepfamilycertification.com/] The Stepmom Retreat: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat]

    22 min

  7. May 21

    The Simple Question That Helped Our Blended Family Finally Connect | Ashley Noelle

    Blending a family is hard. Blending a family with three teenagers? Absolute chaos sometimes. 😅 In this episode, I'm talking with Ashley Noelle, creator of Blended Bond, about the small communication shift that completely changed the way her blended family connected. Ashley shares what it was really like bringing together two completely different households (a structured mother-daughter home and a loud, sports-heavy boy house) and how trying to make everything "perfect" actually created more pressure for everyone. This conversation is honest, emotional, and incredibly validating for any stepmom who feels like she's trying so hard to hold everything together while still figuring it out herself. Inside this episode: Why "How was your day?" often stops working with stepkids and teens The simple question that helped lower tension in their home almost immediately What kids in blended families may be silently carrying emotionally Why trying to be the "perfect stepmom" usually backfires Small ways to create more connection without forcing it One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the reminder that blended families don't need perfection to feel connected. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when everyone feels safe enough to be honest. Resources Mentioned Blended Bond Conversation Cards: [https://blendedbond.com/] Follow Ashley + Blended Bond on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/theblendedbond/] Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts   Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

    27 min

  8. May 14

    Stepmom Grief: The Hidden Loss No One Talks About | Rachel Dunne

    Ever felt like stepmom life isn't what you expected- and no matter how hard you try, you're carrying a weight you can't quite explain? If you've felt resentment, guilt, or even questioned your choices, this episode will hit home. In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Dunne, licensed counselor, certified stepfamily coach, and founder of Spiritual Stepmom. Rachel shares her personal journey into stepmotherhood and opens up about the stepmom grief no one talks about- the hidden sense of loss, emotional overwhelm, and internal conflict that so many women experience but rarely say out loud. She also brings her clinical expertise to help stepmoms understand what's really happening beneath the surface- and how to begin healing. Key takeaways from this episode: The stepmom grief no one talks about- and why it's completely normal How resentment and emotional shutdown happen when grief goes unprocessed Why stepfamily life triggers loss- not just love How repair (not perfection) can actually strengthen your relationship with your stepkids  If you've ever thought, "This is harder than I expected," or felt alone in your experience as a stepmom, this episode will remind you- you're not broken, and you're definitely not the only one. Resources Mentioned: Rachel Dunne Coaching: https://racheldunnecoaching.com Follow Rachel on Instagram: @spiritualstepmom Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

    29 min
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The Stepmom Diaries is a podcast for stepmoms navigating blended family life, marriage stress, coparenting conflict, emotional burnout, and the realities nobody talks about. Hosted by Cameron Normand of Stepfamily Solutions, this podcast keeps it honest with relatable conversations about stepmom life, relationships, identity, resentment, boundaries, and building healthier blended families. As a second wife and stepmom to four kids, Cameron combines real-life experience with practical support to help stepmoms feel less alone, less overwhelmed, and more confident in their role.

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