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S6, Ep 8: The topsy turvy world of Stepmum life; In conversation with another Stepmum Coach
If you’re a stepmum who’s struggling—feeling torn, exhausted, or just unsure of your place—this episode is for you.
Katie is joined by Kristin, a stepmum to four, mum to one, and a life coach who works closely with stepmums across the US. Together, they talk honestly about the emotional weight of stepfamily life: the moments that feel too much, the ones that feel invisible, and the ones that make you question everything.
In this conversation, they cover:
What to do when your values clash with the other house
How to know when to step in with your stepkids—and when to step back
The messy emotions that come with being a stepmum (and why they’re normal)
How coaching and community can help you feel less alone
This is a real, grounded chat for anyone who’s ever thought: “I love them, but this is hard.” You’ll leave feeling seen, supported, and a little more sure of yourself.
Keywords: stepmum support, struggling stepmum, stepfamily dynamics, co-parenting conflict, stepmum boundaries, emotional overwhelm, life coach for stepmums, blended family advice, stepmum podcast
🔗 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 this. You’re not alone.
In this episode, Katie speaks with Sally—a stepmum and biomum—about the real-life challenges of blending families and raising a stepchild with additional needs.
Sally shares her journey from being a single mum to navigating the emotional and practical complexities of bringing two families together. From the early days of adjustment to the ongoing work of building trust, connection, and stability, Sally’s story is honest, relatable, and deeply validating.
Together, Katie and Sally explore:
What it’s really like to blend families when you’re already stretched thin
The emotional toll of being a stepmum when your stepchild has additional needs
How to stay grounded when you feel pulled in every direction
The importance of compassion—for yourself, your partner, and your children
Why support matters—and how coaching can help you feel less alone
If you’re a stepmum who’s struggling to find balance, connection, or clarity in your stepfamily, this episode will speak to you.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, blended family advice, raising a stepchild with additional needs, stepmum podcast, single mum to stepmum, co-parenting challenges, emotional support for stepmums, stepfamily dynamics, life coach for stepmums
🔗 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 feel seen. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
In this episode Katie chats to Kaycie and Danielle, Stepmum and Biomum to a little girl.
They explore the ups and downs of their relationship from the difficult beginning to the peaceful friendship they now enjoy. Kaycie shares how it felt for her as a biomum having a new woman enter her daughter's life and she offers tips for Stepmums who are struggling with tricky biomums.
Danielle and Kaycie also talk about the Dad in all of this and why they prefer to leave him out of the communications!
A really insightful chat into the feelings of a biomum and how you sometimes just need to give her time....
In this episode Katie talks to Joanne, a bio Mum of two girls who became a Stepmum to a girl and a boy when she met her partner.
Joanne's story is twofold in that her relationship with her stepson has always been strong, as has her partner's with her daughters, but her relationship with her Stepdaughter has been really difficult, to the point where Joanne is now clear that she doesn't ever want to "blend" her family.
Joanne and Katie talk about parenting styles, how to manage life when you don't agree with your partner's parenting decisions and how it's ok to decide you don't want your family to blend!
Our second male to be a guest on Stepmum Space is Tom Nash AKA @mrdivorcecoachuk.
Tom tells his story of moving from marriage, to an affair, to separation, recoupling with his new partner and how he built his blended family and created a strong relationship with his Ex Wife and her new partner... who happens to be his partner's Ex.... (you might need a pen & paper to keep up!)
Tom offers candid advice from his personal and professional experience on all things separation, divorce and "blending families" . He also talks passionately about why he is such an advocate for Dad's being equal parents, and NOT JUST WHEN IT COMES TO FUN!
Katie chats to Elizabeth, a 25 year old Stepmum of two young boys, about her journey as a Stepmum so far.
Elizabeth shares how she finds it hard having so much of her life and her future affected by her partner's previous life choices. She talks about feeling like she can't move forwards with her life and the next stages because her partner's first experience of marriage has left him not feeling ready to do it again.
She talks about how she wishes they could see more of the boys but her partner doesn't want to go to court and their Mum isn't willing to change the schedule at the moment. Elizabeth also talks about her worries for the care her stepsons receive and about how her love for them has grown since she met them.
In this episode Katie talks to Hayley, a bio mum and stepmum and all round supermum!
Hayley talks about how moving from her simple life as a single Mum of two kids was a challenge with all the complexities that stepfamily life brings.
She talks about the problems the children had adapting to the new set up and how difficult her relationship was with her eldest Stepdaughter when her Stepdaughter came to live with them
Hayley and Katie discuss the importance of mental health and their experiences of Stepmum anxiety.
**Content warning - in this episode we talk about miscarriage and the emotions around not being able to become a birth Mum**
In this episode Katie talks to Jayne. Jayne was a Stepmum for many years to two children. When her marriage broke down Jayne's primary concern was maintaining a good relationship with her Stepchildren, who by then were adults.
Jayne and Katie talk about this and the role her Stepkids played in her life.
Jayne bravely shares her experience of trying to become a biological Mum and the heartbreak around miscarriage as a Stepmum.
In this episode Katie talks to parenting expert Sue Atkins.
Katie and Sue discuss common Step-parenting issues and how to navigate them and Sue shares her tried and tested tips for fussy eaters, kids who won't sleep in their own bed and (of course) grumpy teenagers!
Sue answers listener questions candidly and with good humour!
This is the last episode in season 4, please subscribe to be notified when the new season launches or follow on instagram @stepmumspace or at www.stepmumspace.com
**Please note this episode may be sensitive for those who are triggered by Mothers Day. It contains varying stories of different experiences**
In this episode Katie shares messages from listeners about what Mothers Day means to them. She shares stories from those who find Mothers Day difficult, stressful, painful as well as those who love it and look forward to it.
This episode is made up from the variety of messages Katie received and we hope you like it!
The illustrator Katie mentions in the show is @beckagriffin on instagram - check her work out!
In the early days of Elizabeth's relationship with her Husband, his Ex was very high conflict, and went out of her way to try to prevent Elizabeth from forming a bond with her stepson. Despite this, Elizabeth and her stepson did form a strong connection and have always got on extremely well.
After many difficult situations , including Elizabeth being reported as a safeguarding risk by The Ex, Elizabeth's husband finally put his foot down and the drama with The Ex stopped.
However as the drama stopped and relationships eased between her Husband and his Ex, instead of being relieved Elizabeth found herself facing some difficult emotions about their new amicable relationship.
This is such a great chat with a wonderfully open and courageous woman and I hope you enjoy it!
Elizabeth is a bio Mum to 3 kids who's Dad is now in a relationship with someone else.
In this conversation Elizabeth shares her experience of being the bio mum in a separated family. She talks about the difficulties of her ex Husband not being open about his new relationship, her shock at receiving a legal letter accusing her of harassing behaviour and how it's hard to hear of her children having new experiences that she hasn't been part of.
Elizabeth also speaks candidly about realising that all the things her husband said he didn't want, he actually did... just with someone else.
We are SUPER grateful to Elizabeth for sharing things from her side. The more open we can all be about how we feel, (in a considered and kind way!) the more we can make this journey easier for us all.
In this raw and honest conversation, Katie speaks with Francesca—a stepmum to two little girls—about the emotional toll of stepfamily life when things feel anything but safe.
Francesca shares how stepping into her role as a stepmum turned her from a confident, independent woman into someone who felt anxious, overwhelmed, and deeply unsettled. After moving into her partner’s old family home and facing constant drop-ins from the ex, Francesca found herself spiralling—struggling to cope and questioning her place in the family.
Together, Katie and Francesca explore:
What happens when your home doesn’t feel like yours
The impact of constant access from the ex—and how it erodes psychological safety
Why even strong, capable women can feel broken by stepfamily dynamics
How coaching helped Francesca rebuild her confidence and reclaim her space
What healing looks like when you’re no longer just surviving
This episode is for any stepmum who’s felt pushed out, overwhelmed, or like they’re losing themselves in the process. Francesca’s story is a powerful reminder that things can change—and that support makes all the difference.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum anxiety, stepmum support, psychological safety in stepfamilies, overwhelmed stepmum, ex-partner boundaries, stepmum coaching, blended family stress, stepmum podcast, emotional support for stepmums, stepmum mental health
🔗 Ready to feel more in control?
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 she’s not alone, and she’s not failing.
In this episode Katie talks to Becky. Becky is a Stepmum to a boy as well as being a bio mum to two young girls.
Becky has always had a clear idea of the type of parent she wants to be and as she met her stepson when he was 18 months she has had a big role in shaping his life.
Becky talks about the difficulties of having complete parental autonomy over her daughters whilst not having the same for her stepson. She talks about the pull of how she is supposed to do everything for her stepson but never have the final decision on any matters concerning him.
She also shares the guilt she feels about having a different type of love for her biological children to her love for her stepson and how she feels the pressure to love them the same from her husband.
Becky talks about how her stepson needs a little "reset" when he comes back from his Mums, as the rules and expectations in Becky's house are so different to that in his Mum's house. She talks about how she worries that in the future his Mum's lack of boundaries might mean he thinks life at Mum's is more fun and that he won't want to come to their house any more.
A great conversation with another brilliant Stepmum! Thank you Becky x
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Nietta shares her story of becoming a Stepmum to four kids from two bio Mums. She brought two of her own biological children into the relationship and she talks about how her experiences of bringing up her own children and her positive experience of co-parenting with her ex Husband made her naive to what Stepmumming would entail.
Nietta explains how she constantly felt she had to prove herself as a Stepmum, to those around her as well as herself. She courageously shares how when things didn't go so well she felt like she was failing and her mental health took a battering.
She candidly shares how she resented her stepsons for a period of time because they weren't behaving in the way she wanted them to. Nietta turned this around by reframing the situation and how she thought about her stepsons and their relationship has improved hugely!
Nietta has put a LOT of work into her mindset and her mental health with relation to her role as a Stepmum and it shows! She shares how she has put boundaries in place to protect her peace and how she has taken responsibility for her own behaviour and actions and made changes to how she thinks about things and how she handles stepfamily situations.
Nietta is a strong, empowered woman and there is a lot that Stepmums can take from this conversation!
In this episode Katie talks to Tim... (Yes, she let a man on the show!)
Tim shares his experience of having a stepmum, and that of his daughter having a Stepmum.
Tim is frank, funny and extremely honest about the rollercoaster of emotions he went through and how he found it difficult to balance his role as a Dad, and that of a partner in a stepfamily situation.
He talks about how he had to face some uncomfortable truths about what his parenting was costing his family, and about the ongoing journey he and his now wife are on in building their family.
Tim also shares how his situation as a widower has thrown up some scenarios which are unique to that situation and offers advice to women struggling to get their husbands on the same page as them!
Sam is Stepmum to an 8 year old girl and despite Sam's stepdaughter having a bio Mum and Dad, Sam picks up most of the childcare and most of the "mumming" work.
Sam chats about how her and her partner's differing views on childcare caused conflict between them and how as time went on she realised he hadn't been totally transparent about the story he'd told about his parenting style!
Sam shares the struggles of becoming a Stepmum and the conflict of having to "treat the child as your own" but not having a say in the way the child is really brought up. She talks openly about her relationship with her partner and shares why she isn't rushing down the aisle despite a 3 year engagement.
Jane's husband is a widower and Jane is a stepmum to a 13 year old daughter.
Jane and Katie chat about the complexities of dating, and marrying a widower. We discuss navigating creating a new home and family, whilst keeping Jane's stepdaughter's mum's memory alive.
We talk about how Jane and her stepdaughter's relationship has developed over time, how Jane is really clear she isn't trying to replace her stepdaughter's Mum and how she's had to teach her Husband not to e a Disney Dad!
Jane shares how marrying a widower can mean you are often compared to someone who's seen as "perfect" and how this made her feel.
A great conversation for all stepmums, not just those who are in a relationship with a widower!
Sarah describes herself as "not particularly child friendly" and actively did NOT want to date someone with children, however when a casual fling turned into love she found herself suddenly dealing with the prospect that the guy she'd fallen for was recently separated with three young children.
Sarah shares openly how there were points she wished the children didn't exist and how she fantasised about it just being her and her husband living a life of travel and romance. She also talks about how she battled with her feelings of not wanting a stepfamily set up for herself, despite the fact her stepchildren were really nice, well behaved kids.
Sarah talks about the adjustment of being single and child free to becoming a stepfamily and all living together and how there was so much she had to learn and how she regrets moving at such a pace to bring them all under the same roof.
I'm very grateful to Sarah to sharing so candidly her negative feelings about not wanting to be a stepmum and not being interested in adopting a stepmother relationship with her stepchildren but at the same time making decisions with them front of mind.
Rachel is Stepmum to a little boy who she describes as "the light of her life". Since she started a relationship with her partner they've been subjected to frequent and unfair criticism from his ex, culminating in her involving social services when Rachel and her partner decided to stand up to the Ex.
Rachel shares her story and talks about how she's managed to stay positive, focus on her own family and not lower herself to the tit for tat that can often happen in these situations.
A 'must listen' for anyone dealing with a high conflict ex.
In this episode Katie talks to parenting expert, psychologist, and host of podcast "How not to screw up your kids", Dr Maryhan
As a birth Mum and Stepmum Dr Maryhan really understands the ups and downs of stepmum life and answers a variety of questions from listeners. She doesn't shy away from the tough stuff and we explore topics such as:
- Should you correct your step kids when bio-mum tells lies about you? - What to do if you don't even like your step kids? - What to do when there are different rules in different houses - What to do when your stepchildren tell lies about you to bio-mum?
A GREAT conversation, I learnt a lot and I am sure you will too!
Katrina shares her experiences of being a stepmum in her 40s. She talks about bonding with her stepdaughter in spite of the birth Mum's negativity and she shares how she has got really intentional about her life as a Stepmum, choosing carefully what to give her energy to.
We also discuss how being a stepmum when your partner and stepchild are from different cultures can have it's own unique challenges.
In this episode, Katie speaks with a stepmum of three boys—one of whom is neurodiverse—about what it’s really like to go from zero to three kids almost overnight.
She opens up about the emotional highs and lows of stepping into a full-time parenting role, the pressure to bond instantly, and the guilt that can come when connection doesn’t come easily. Although she loves her stepson deeply, she shares how his additional needs have brought unique challenges—and how she’s learning to meet him where he is, while also honouring her own limits.
Together, they explore:
What it feels like to be thrown into parenting without a roadmap
The emotional complexity of loving a child you didn’t raise from birth
How neurodiversity can impact bonding, boundaries, and day-to-day life
Why struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human
The importance of support, honesty, and giving yourself permission to grow slowly
This is a gentle, honest conversation for any stepmum who’s finding it hard to connect, cope, or feel like she’s enough. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, neurodiverse stepchild, blended family challenges, bonding with stepkids, overwhelmed stepmum, stepmum podcast, parenting neurodiverse children, emotional support for stepmums, stepmum guilt, stepmum boundaries
🔗 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 love doesn’t always look perfect, and connection takes time.
In this episode Katie talks to Helen, a stepmum veteran with 20 years experience!
Helen now enjoys a great relationship with her adult step kids and her and her husband are stronger than ever.
Helen shares how she hid her feelings of jealousy, anger and resentment over the years, how she wishes she'd done a lot of things differently and how she's finally learnt to be a bit more compassionate with herself.
We also talk about the importance of asking for what you want and putting your needs up there with everyone else's!
Lucy shares her powerful story of going through the court process with a bio Mum with multiple personality disorders.
We talk about the importance of focusing on your relationship with your partner, knowing your truth, and how to handle some really tricky stepfamily situations.
Thank you Lucy, you are a strong, inspiring and wonderfully kind woman!
Please note this episode contains discussions of emotional, psychological and physical abuse.
In this episode Katie talks to Kate Hunter. Kate is an Executive Coach who specialises in helping women in leadership to use their mindset to positive effect.
As well as her professional experience Kate also has experience of being in a relationship with someone with children. In this conversation Kate offers practical advice and techniques for managing anxiety, creating and maintaining boundaries and working through anger, jealousy and resentment.
If you're a struggling Stepmum or someone who cares about a stepmum and you want to improve your happiness this is a MUST LISTEN!
Katie talks to Mia* who became a Stepmum to two boys at the age of 46. Mia spent her professional life working with children and having not had children of her own she was excited to become a Stepmum. Things didn't go quite as Mia had hoped and she has struggled with the feeling of not being loved or valued by her Stepsons.
Katie talks to Anna*, a Stepmum of two boys who also has two younger sons with her husband.
Anna found herself involved in the court process when her husband's ex tried to gain custody of their stepchildren. In this episode she talks through the court process itself, the impact it had on her, her husband and her stepchildren and what happened after the court verdict was reached.
Katie talks to Lucy about the differing feelings towards her stepkids and her two 'ours' babies.
Lucy's babies came along very soon into her relationship and we explore the impact of this on her stepchildren as well as managing the two family dynamics, the 'ours' family of 4 and the 'whole' family of 6 which each exist 50% of the time in Lucy's home. Lucy shares her thoughts on house rules, stepping back, lack of control as a stepmum and how to come back from arguments.
In this episode Katie talks to Alice*. Alice vowed never to date a man with children however in her twenties she fell in love with a Dad of a 5 year old and has spent the last 4 years on the stepmum rollercoaster!
Alice has a good relationship with her stepdaughter but has struggled with her partner's Ex having a huge amount of control over all their lives and refusing to accept Alice's role in her step-daughter's life.
Alice also shares how hard she's found it having no say and how her stepdaughter's loyalty binds have affected their relationship.
**Please note this content may be triggering for some listeners. Whilst Emily does have a baby we do cover infertility and IVF as topics**
Katie talks to Emily about her experiences of going through infertility and IVF whilst undergoing a challenging journey as a stepmum to four children.
Emily talks about her feelings of anger, resentment and jealousy as month after month she was not getting pregnant but had to put on a brave face and look after her partner's children.
Katie and Emily talk about the different feelings which come up on a journey of trying to conceive as a stepmum and why it's important to accept and acknowledge the feelings you have, rather than feel guilty for them.
Emily does eventually have her baby.
Sending love to anyone on this difficult journey X
Ami became a stepmum when she met a new partner after losing her first husband to cancer. Ami shares her journey so far through the grief of losing her husband at a young age, to becoming a stepmum and being embroiled in a "tug-of-war" situation she would never have expected.
She also talks about the parallels between the grief she felt after her husband passed away and her feelings as a stepmum, grieving for the life she thought she would have.
In this episode Katie talks to Jess, A stepmum of a 14 year old girl who also has a biological daughter of 8.
Jess wanted to create a happy home for their family but struggled when her stepdaughter pushed back against any of the rules which were put in place. Her stepdaughter's Mum assumed the "best friend" role and appeared to undermine what Jess and her husband were trying to do at every opportunity.
Following years of being criticised no matter what she tried, the anxiety took it's toll on Jess and her husband. They worked as a team to try and support Jess's stepdaughter but eventually, and likely as a result of parental alienation Jess's stepdaughter stopped visiting.
While this gave some respite from the constant arguments and anxiety, Jess would love to be able to have her stepdaughter back in their lives - as Jess says, she's "the missing piece of their puzzle".
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.
Katie talks to Carly, a Mum to an 11 yr old girl and Stepmum to boys aged 10 and 14. Carly and her partner have lived together for two years and over that time Carly admits she's gone from being a confident parent to becoming constantly anxious when her Stepsons are around. Carly shares how her and her partner have tried to bring their children together and she talks candidly about why there won't be any more stepfamily holidays for the forseeable future.
In this episode Katie chats to Sarah. Sarah became a step-mum when she married a man who she'd known for many years, and who's first wife she was friends with before she died.
Sarah shares with honesty and humour her journey so far; from being mistaken for her step-daughter's friend at a uni open day, to being told she wouldn't have kids of her own and eventually going on to have a baby with her husband. She also explains why step-mums really should get a mat leave equivalent when they take on extra kids in their life!
Katie talks to Lauren* who's husband has full custody of his children following domestic violence in his first marriage. Lauren's 14 yr old stepdaughter has chosen not to see her biological mother, wheras her 11 yr old stepson remains close with his Mum.
Lauren talks really candidly about her different relationships with the two children and about her hopes and fears for the future.
Elle & her fiancé share his daughter with his Ex Wife. Unfortunately despite her best efforts, Elle hasn't been able to build a relationship with The Ex (yet!) and this has subsequently made it hard to foster a strong relationship with her step-daughter. Elle talks candidly about the affect this has had on her life, her home and her step-daughter.
In this episode Katie talks to Rose*, who's a full time stepmum to a 13 year old girl. Rose shares stories of her early feelings of jealousy & resentment, her partner's 'Disney Dadding' and the journey she's gone on to get to the place she's at today where her and her step-daughter have become great friends!
In this episode Katie talks to Annabelle* who's a Step-mum to a 15 year old boy.
Annabelle talks about the ups & downs of meeting a man who has 50/50 care of his son, and how in the last 6 years they have moved from some difficult behaviours into being a close knit trio.
Annabelle talks candidly about the guilt & resentment she has sometimes felt, as well as being really open about sometimes struggling with what her role is in her stepson's life and how school sports events can feel really uncomfortable.
Katie talks to Erin* about the highs and lows of her decade of step-mumming. Erin shares the anxiety she felt as a step-mum, the dark place it took her to and how it all changed when boundaries became her best friend!
Erin also bravely shares how she navigated her role as a step-mum during the pain of losing her own pregnancies and how she has fostered a strong relationship with her step-daughters.
Nowadays most stepfamilies are formed after separation or divorce but that isn't always the case. In this episode Katie talks to Beth*, a 38 yr old woman who's been in a relationship with a widowed Dad of 2 for a year about her journey so far.
Helena’s story looked like it was going to be one of the rare smooth ones. She and her partner were aligned. His ex was respectful. The stepkids liked her. But the real challenge came from somewhere she didn’t expect—his family.
In this episode, Katie speaks with Helena about the emotional fallout of dealing with in-laws who made her feel unwelcome, undermined, and unsafe. Despite doing everything “right,” Helena found herself at the centre of conflict that began to affect her relationship, her wellbeing, and her sense of belonging. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to cut contact.
Together, Katie and Helena explore:
What it feels like when the in-laws become the source of stress
The emotional toll of being excluded and criticised by your partner’s family
Why being liked by the stepkids isn’t always enough to feel secure
How to protect your peace when others won’t respect your boundaries
The power of choosing yourself—even when it means walking away
This episode is for any stepmum who’s struggling with external pressure, family politics, or feeling like she’s constantly defending her place. Helena’s story is a reminder that you’re allowed to set limits—and that peace is worth protecting.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, toxic in-laws, stepfamily boundaries, stepmum podcast, stepmum mental health, excluded stepmum, stepmum and extended family conflict, emotional support for stepmums, stepmum wellbeing, stepmum validation
🔗 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 protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s survival.
In this episode, Katie talks to Jackie—a mum to one and stepmum to two—about the kind of stepfamily experience that rarely gets spoken about.
Jackie shares what it was like to live in a home where she didn’t feel safe. After her stepson began stealing from her, she had to put locks on her bedroom door and spent years walking on eggshells. It was a time filled with anxiety, confusion, and emotional exhaustion.
Together, Katie and Jackie explore:
What it feels like when your home doesn’t feel like yours
The emotional toll of living in survival mode as a stepmum
How to navigate trust issues and protect your boundaries
The impact on your relationship when you’re constantly on edge
What healing looks like after years of feeling unsafe
This is a brave, honest conversation for any stepmum who’s been through the wringer and wondered if things could ever feel normal again. Jackie’s story is a powerful reminder that you’re not alone—and that support is out there.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, stepmum support, stepfamily conflict, stepmum boundaries, stepmum mental health, stepmum podcast, stepmum and trust issues, blended family stress, emotional safety in stepfamilies, stepmum survival, stepmum validation
🔗 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 safety, peace, and voice matter.
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions around trying to conceive and vasectomies.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Katie chats with Jen—a stepmum to two and mum to one—who’s been living the stepmum life for over a decade. Jen’s story is full of love, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom.
When Jen met her husband, she didn’t have children of her own. But because he had majority custody, she became a full-time stepmum almost overnight. That shift brought deep connection with her stepdaughter, and eventually her stepson—who bravely admitted he thought he wasn’t supposed to like her.
Jen opens up about:
The emotional weight of stepping in as a full-time stepmum from day one
How loyalty binds and BioMum dynamics can leave stepmums walking on eggshells
The anxiety that builds when you’re giving everything and still feel like it’s not enough
What changed when her husband finally saw how unsupported she’d been
Why calling out poor behaviour isn’t about blame—it’s about balance
This is a powerful, honest conversation for any stepmum who’s felt invisible, anxious, or unsure of her place. Jen’s story is a reminder that love takes time, boundaries matter, and support makes all the difference.
Keywords: struggling stepmum, full-time stepmum, stepmum support, stepmum anxiety, loyalty binds, stepmum and BioMum dynamics, blended family stress, stepmum podcast, emotional support for stepmums, stepmum burnout, stepmum validation, co-parenting challenges
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🎧 Listen now—and share with a stepmum who needs to hear that her role is real, her feelings are valid, and she deserves support.
In this episode Katie talks to Parm, AKA @mrssinghspirational about her journey from being a married Mum of 3, to a divorced Mum of 3, to a Stepmum to 3 children who'd recently lost their Mother!
Parm talks about how their family all became close very quickly, but amongst all the happiness, her own biological daughter really struggled with the changes and eventually made the difficult decision to go and live with her Dad.
Whilst she fully supported her daughter in doing what she felt was right for her, Parm talks about how rejected she felt when her daughter made this choice.
Katie and Parm chat about Parm's feelings towards her Stepkids biomum and why she feels determined to keep her in the family without living in her shadows.
In this episode Katie talks to Ellie, a Stepmum to two boys who had made the decision not to have biological children herself.
Ellie talks about her love for the boys and her ups and downs as a Stepmum. She shares how difficulties with BioMum took her to some really dark places and made her question whether she could continue in her marriage.
At her lowest point Ellie decided to seek counselling and coaching and she talks about how both of these have impacted her life, and how ultimately changing her mindset and the way her and her husband responded to situations, saved her family.
In this episode, Katie sits down with writer Sheena Wilkinson to talk about what it’s really like to marry a widower and become a stepmum — after choosing not to have children herself.
Sheena shares her experience of moving into her husband’s former marital home, navigating the emotional weight of a space filled with memories, and adjusting to life with two men after years of living happily alone.
They dive into the messy, human side of stepfamily life — from shouting matches with her stepson to the quiet sting of not being fully accepted by parts of his extended family. It’s a conversation about navigating inherited spaces, complex loyalties, and the quiet work of making room for yourself without displacing anyone else.
Sheena is candid, funny, and refreshingly honest — and this chat is full of wisdom, warmth, and the real talk we love at Stepmum Space.
You can find more of Sheena’s work at www.sheenawilkinson.com and on Instagram @sheenawilkinson and substack @sheenawilkinson
🎄 Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of Christmas as a stepmum? Join me for Your Calm Christmas — a 3-hour live workshop on Thursday 3rd October designed to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more in control this festive season.
We’ll create your personalised Calm Christmas Plan, explore therapeutic strategies for tricky moments, and connect with other stepmums who truly get it. This isn’t a passive webinar — it’s a supportive, interactive space to make sure you don’t get lost in the festive chaos.
Bookings close on September 30th, so don’t wait —click here to grab your spot.
In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode, Katie is joined by Grace—a witty, warm, and wonderfully open guest who shares her journey into stepmotherhood. From living footloose and fancy-free to becoming a full-time stepmum of two, Grace opens up about the emotional shifts, identity changes, and unexpected challenges that come with joining a “pre-made” family.
We explore:
What it’s really like to feel like an outsider in your own home
How to handle judgment from others about your stepkids
Why self-compassion matters—and how “I did the best I could at the time” can be the most powerful thing you say to yourself
Whether you’re deep in the trenches or just starting out, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone—and that your experience is valid.
Join Katie and other Stepmums in the same boat as you for the Christmas workshop Less Stress, More Sparkle - spaces are limited so book now and if you want to find out more, click here