Stepmonster in Boca!
If you live near Boca Raton or know anyone interested in understanding stepfamilies who does, please pass it along: I’ll be in Boca Raton on January 27, talking about stepfamily and stepmother reality and answering questions for the JCC/ B’nai Torah Synagogue Author Forum Series.
I'll be doing a reading here. Well, not exactly, but close enough.
The venue and address:
B’nai Torah Synagogue
6261 SW 18th Street
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 392.8566
Time: 7:30 pm.
All are welcome!
Tags: blended family, Boca Raton, divorce, divorce with children, family, Florida, JCC, reading, remarriage, remarriage with children, stepfamily, stepmonster, stepmother, stepmother advice, stepmother support, wednesday martin
January 21st, 2010 at 10:05 am
Sounds good, too bad I don’t live there. Hope you have good weather!
January 21st, 2010 at 10:06 am
I live in Jacksonville–too far sadly : (
Will you ever do a Florida tour again? If so please come to my town. I call in the troops. Stepmom troops that is.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I will not be able to be in Boca, but some colleagues and I (we are all college profs) have loved your book. As we are often teaching from texts that come with instructor support materials, we were wondering if at some point you could create some powerpoint or Smartboard presentation materials to accompany the book as we would love, at times, to provide our families with a presentation or two of what our reality feels like as stepmoms.
We also thought some workbooks – one for the husband, the kids, the ex-, etc. – would be helpful. 
February 5th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Hi Kim,
Glad to see the book is being ready by the wonky set (I mean that in the best way, of course!)
Yes, I’d like a flow-chart or two myself, and some workbooks, now that you mention it…something to think about. Seriously, I may be doing workshops in alluring locations (places that are warm in winter and pristine in summer, unlike where I live in New York City) soon, so keep an eye out.
Thanks for reading and come back soon,
xx wednesday
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hi Wednesday,
Thanks for your comment.
My friends and I were speaking about what a great gift your book has been as far as dialogue with our husbands. I remember remarking to my husband about the part in which you were speaking of grief. He then said, “Oh, that is depressing if you look at it like that.” See- that is why I thought a workbook would be helpful – I could then direct him to page such and such in which you clearly state such topics are often “sugar coated”.
Your honesty with this situaion has been transformative. I remember clearly your description of the birthing classes prior to your first child. You nailed what happens to the stepparent- you think you will “compartmentalize” your life- stepkids here, work here, etc. It never happens like that. Stepchildren permeate EVERY aspect of your life – from what food you buy, to what is on TV, to the profound joy of preparing for a new baby.
Finally, you helped me understand how easily we are labeled. I am in a situation in which neither parent really wants to take care of the children at times ( they used to have live-in au pairs). This has resulted in my being seen as some type of overly-educated Mary Poppins. In my husband’s and ex-’s eyes, what else would a 40 year old, PhD educated woman, with no children of her own. rather do than secretly desire to be the unpaid nanny to their children?
Your book helped me realize that so often, each of our situation’s is different. I thought I would have to be concerned about the Mom’s over involvement, instead I try to encourage her to be involved.
Anyway, please let us know when a workbook/powerpoint series will be available, or hopefully we will be able to see a live presentation!
Take care, kim