Lately I have had such a difficult time with my Stepdaughter. I actually have been trying to avoid her as much as I can. She is extremely difficult and I have to remind myself sometimes that I am the adult and that she is a teenager. But, I still can’t help but wonder what is going on in her head?

I have never dealt with stepparents, so I can’t begin to know what she thinks or doesn’t think. But, one thing I know for sure…she wants a different scenario in her life. This isn’t going to happen, because I truly love her father, so how to we compromise? How do I deal with the mixed feelings that I have and meet in the middle to help things run smoother in my family?

What is compromise and as parents, should we? There are some things that I refuse to compromise on and those are the tantrums that are rubbing off on my 2 year old. He recently began throwing himself on the floor, throwing items at people and saying a few words that I know were heard during a recent outburst that occurred in my house. I wanted my son to know a different life than mine. I grew up with fighting amongst my parents and it was not fun. Now, my son is growing up with an unruly teenager that controls the mood in our home.

Step parenting has to be the hardest job in the world and lately I am begging to God to show me the way and help guide me to do and say the right things. Any stepparents out there have any advice for this mommy before she looses her mind?

Michele

Review Crew

When we are young girls, we often dream about our prince charming and he sweeps us off our feet and then we start a beautiful large family. I often had these dreams, but was still turning 30 and single. I kept thinking to myself, when is this prince charming going to finally come into my life? An unexpected chance meeting of my prince charming turned quickly into a match that was meant to be. He was my prince charming, he was wonderful and exactly who I wanted in my life.  Brian was a wonderful man, but he already had two children and as I lay in bed night after night I wasn’t exactly sure that I wanted a family that was already started.

I decided to give it a try and see where things took us; I knew that if it were God’s plan then it would work out. We set out on our journey and the kids were quickly part of my life. I was madly in love with a Godly man with two children, which were so set in their ways. Lorelei and Brian were not ready for another woman to come into their lives. Their mother had abandoned these two children at very young ages and they would only see their mother occasionally, she was the “Disneyland Mom.” This woman had chose so long ago to not be an active part in their lives. After being a single father for so long, Brian met a woman and they were married but even after seven years of marriage, these children still didn’t find their place with her. It was a rocky road constantly. Brian would soon divorce her and I would later come into the picture.

They had a different set of rules and they didn’t like the ones that I wanted to implement. It was a really rough road most days. Brian and I were married, and then he and I had Gage, which is now two. Brian and Lorelei are 15 and 17 and each day is a struggle. I am dealing with teenage hormones and terrible two’s all at once. I never knew this is what my fairytale would encounter. I often still ask God, why is my patience tested daily and I struggle so much with my stepdaughter each day. I know there is a reason that God brought Brian and I together and I will continue to grow and live in my blended family!

Michele

Good Morning…
I have been up since 2:00 a.m. Why? Haven’t a clue…I feel a bit buzzy and a little bit lightheaded but not sleepy. Weird? I know!
Anyway today is Monday and I thought I’d take a moment to share with you some fun IE Mommy news.

The IE Mommy blog enjoys offering sensational giveaways and review but we really don’t want to take away from what getting to know you or you getting to know us. Which is why I started the Just Me Monday posts. They give me a chance to be real and open with you my readers and friends.

Because my reviewers and I want you to know who we are and get a feel of “us” when you read our reviews we will be introducing bi-monthly posts from Joe, Rena and Michele.  Check out our new “personal post” line-up:

Monday – Just me Monday – You’ll get a little taste of who the “real” IE Mommy. I’ll share my heart, my passions, my inspirations and my giggles with you.

Tuesday – Get a man’s perspective on life. Read all about Joe’s journey as a Christian, a dad and a husband on Faithful Tuesday Posts

Thursday – I shared with you the excitement of her wedding and her gorgeous wedding pictures…now get a flash back or flash forward of what it is like to be a “New Bride” in Rena’s Wednesday’s posts “Discoveries of a Newbie Bride”. It will be sure to make you smile, giggle and cry right along with her.

Friday – We end our week walking in Michele’s shoes as she talks to us openly and candidly on what it’s like trying to be a step-mom to two teenagers while trying to blend a family to God’s glory. You won’t want to miss a Faithfully Blended post.

Well friends…that’s it. I hope you’ll enjoy our new addition to The IE Mommy…and we hope we’ll get to know each other just a bit more. Remember you’ll see our posts on the 2nd and 4th week of the month!

Christine

The IE Mommy