Stepmonster on NPR’s “On Point”
I’ll be discussing Stepmonster and stepmother reality this Tuesday, August 4th on NPR’s “On Point,” a two hour show airing on more than 150 NPR stations coast to coast (translation: you can run from Stepmonster, but you can’t hide!)
Check out the link for “On Point”: http://www.onpointradio.org/
Now find your local NPR station that airs “On Point”: http://www.wbur.org/syndication/?program=On-Point
Tags: interview, npr, On Point, stepmonster, stepmother, WBUR, wednesday martin, woman with stepchildren
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
I am an NPR slut…we don’t do the TV thing in our house and NPR is ALWAYS on. I’m looking forward to it, as On Point is one of my favorite programs.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Thanks Eyes Wide Open, I’m glad you’ll be listening. And I’ve never, ever heard anyone describe herself as an NPR slut…so thanks for the education!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I thought I was going insane. I am a step-father, and hear the needs for couple unity. My relationship lacks it completely, and there is a massive power struggle.. I struggle for some balance. I struggle to figure out how to move forward, and the show really helps. Hopefully my wife will listen to this to understand where I am coming from. Just to get unified is important, and to create something that is compatible for all. Secrets between the children and their mother because they are afraid of my reaction only makes things worse. It leads to separation and division. I could go on, but thank you again for bringing up the topic.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Walter,
Stepparenting makes so many of us feel we are insane. It can be SUCH a relief to see the research backing up the fact that our experiences are normal and typical. The isolation, the sense of failing somehow, so need to be dispelled!
It sounds like you are currently in the “stuck outsider” position in the stepfamily architecture. I will you all luck in resetting the balance in the household and building a coalition with your wife. The National Stepfamily Resource Center has a great web site. Through it you can find therapists who know how to treat stepfamilies in your area, and also great books and articles. Good luck, I’m rooting for you!
wednesday
August 19th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
It’s nice finally hearing that we stepmothers actually have feelings that need to be recognized. I heard it all when I was engaged to my husband who at the time had 4 and 6 year old boys. “You have to love the kids as your own” “The kids come first” “If you do not love them as your own then it is not true love between you and your husband” All of those comments seemed to only come from women, particularly women who have given birth to their own children. They all thought they were giving me sound advice, but it came from nowhere because none of them were stepmothers or had stepmothers!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Jennie,
The judgment and sense that they know best is incredible. It comes even from smart and otherwise compassionate people. I know I used to judge stepmothers very harshly myself–then I became one! Hope you are finding some friends who are supportive as well. I know it’s scary to open up about stepmothering–you never know how people will respond.
Thanks for reading! xx wednesday