But I’m NOT a Wicked Stepmother {Book Review}

But I’m NOT a Wicked Stepmother {Book Review}

Blending families can be a difficult period of adjustment, to put it lightly. Depending on how many kids, the reason behind the previous marriage ending, any on-going tension, etc can really play a role in this transition from yours and mine to ours. The book, But I’m NOT a Wicked Stepmother, by Kathi Lipp & Carol Boley, covers these situations and has great advice for moms who become stepmoms.

Most little girls grow up dreaming of being a mom, but hardly any of them dream of becoming a stepmom. Nevertheless, approximately one million new stepfamilies are created every year.

It’s no secret, being a stepmother can be a living nightmare. But it can also be an enriching and rewarding experience—one that God can use to strengthen you, helping you survive and even thrive in the toughest job you never asked for.

Written by two women who are stepmothers themselves—and know the difficulties of helping to raise someone else’s children—this book is filled with down-to-earth insights and advice for stepmothers from stepmothers. It also offers expert guidance from pastors and counselors on such issues as roles, expectations, realistic goals, organization, finances, holidays, vacations, relationships with stepchildren, negotiation, forgiveness, healing the past, building a strong marriage with stepchildren on the scene, dealing with in-laws and ex-spouses, sexual tensions in stepfamilies, health, depression, stress, and much more.

While there is no magic formula to guarantee stepmother success, encouragement and practical wisdom are available in this much-needed resource.

I was a stepmom myself until I legally adopted my husband’s children from a previous marriage. It wasn’t easy, especially because in our case we not only got married but then moved from Florida to Ohio! So we were dealing with the whole family blending operation as well as getting the family settled into a totally new area with new schools, friends, and little family near by.

Needless to say, it worked out in the end and most of my children live near by to us. But it was tough for a while, and I can’t imagine how some women do it when I hear their tales of drama. But this book seemed to cover most situations that I could think would come up for most of us, from dealing with finances, in-laws, ex-spouses, visitation, and much more!

The authors are stepmoms themselves, so they know a lot of the problems that are inherent in the whole step-parenting situation. It’s filled with loving advice, light humor, examples of possible conversations and what not to say, as well as plenty of suggestions and resources as you continue to adjust to this new relationship of being a stepmother to someone else’s child.

Throughout the book, Kathi & Carol, also help us turn to Scripture and the Lord to rely on for guidance, strength and peace to make it through. After all, there’s no problem so big that He can’t handle it, right?

I’d recommend this book for any soon-to-be stepmoms or anyone now struggling with these issues once the child(ren) grow older and are rebelling, using the “you’re not my mom” argument. 

You can purchase But I’m NOT a Wicked Stepmother through Amazon today!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned in this article in exchange for my honest opinion from Tyndale House Publishers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. Regardless, I will only recommend products or services I use personally or believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.