#105: “Do I Need a Baby to Feel Valid?” and Other Stepmom Struggles
This episode is a raw, unfiltered Ask Me Anything from the stepmom trenches (on Instagram). Alicia gets real about some of the most vulnerable (and let’s be honest, slightly rage-inducing) questions stepmoms are dealing with—like:• “Why do I feel like I won’t be good enough until we have a kid together?”• “Will I ever feel relaxed around the ex?”• “How the hell do I let go of the hate and bitterness?”• “Am I the only one who dreads vacations with the stepkids?”• “How much are we spending on legal fees for this chaos!?”If you’ve ever googled “how to get divorced from your stepmom role,” this episode is your permission slip to breathe, laugh, and get some damn clarity.What You'll Hear:The emotional pressure stepmoms feel to have an “ours baby” to feel equalThe real reason being around her (the mom) makes your skin crawlWhy venting to your partner about the ex might be making things worseThe truth about high-conflict coparents and why peace might not be the goalHow to survive vacation chaos without lighting everything on fireThe shocking (and sickening) cost of legal fees for blended familiesIf you've ever asked yourself, “Is it just me?”—it’s not. And Alicia’s got stories and truth bombs to prove it.Resources Mentioned:Mastering Stressors (Free Guide)Learn how to slow your reaction, shift your mindset, and feel like you're back in control again.👉 aliciakrasko.com/stressorsJoin the Community:Need a space to vent, heal, and figure this whole stepmom thing out without being judged? Come join the chaos-free zone inside The Stepmom Side Community.Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#104: Overwhelmed on Transition Days? Let’s Talk About It
Transition days. You know, the ones where your quiet, clean house suddenly turns into a full-blown chaos factory. Whether your stepkids are arriving for the weekend, the week, or every other Tuesday, transition days can bring stress, overstimulation, and a whole lot of feelings you didn’t expect. In this episode, Alicia is answering real questions submitted through her Instagram broadcast channel from stepmoms just like you who are trying to survive the emotional rollercoaster of blended family life.From feeling totally withdrawn to dealing with a stepkid who “hates you” on day one, Alicia breaks down what’s normal (spoiler alert: a lot more than you think), how to communicate your needs to your partner without starting WWIII, and how to stop shrinking yourself just to keep the peace.You’ll also hear how transition day stress affects your relationship, your mental health, and why a simple routine—yes, even just ordering Chinese food—can be the thing that brings everyone back to center.In this episode:What’s actually normal on transition daysHow to communicate your overwhelmed energy to your spouse without sounding like you hate everyoneHelping your stepkid process anxiety about going back to their mom’s houseWhat to do when your stepchild seems to hate you the second they walk inNavigating the shift in your relationship when the house gets fuller (and louder)How not to lose your own damn mind in the processResources Mentioned:🎁 Freebie: Mastering the Stressors – A stepmom’s guide to identifying what’s really causing stress and finding a better way to respond🎧 Episode 67: The Stepmom Specific Anxiety No One Talks About – Why you feel it and how to manage it🎧 Episode 96: Documenting for Court: Protecting Your Peace in High Conflict Coparenting with Nika Chadwick💬 Join the Instagram Broadcast Channel to weigh in on future episodes and get support in real timeWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#102: Stepmom Struggles: Missing the Firsts and Feeling Less Than
In this deeply relatable solo episode, Alicia opens up about a struggle so many stepmoms face but rarely talk about—what it feels like to miss out on the “firsts.” First marriage, first baby, first home, first big life moments with your partner... when you weren’t part of those, it can trigger deep feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and even grief.Alicia shares a powerful personal story from early in her marriage—when she felt so second-best and confused that she literally googled “how to get divorced.” She also responds to a heartfelt message from a listener who’s in the thick of those feelings, despite having a kind and supportive partner.This episode offers a step-by-step practical approach for navigating the emotional weight of not being the first, including:How to build confidence in your role as a stepmom—even when you feel like you’re living in someone else’s shadowWhy it’s important to acknowledge the ache of not having your own child (yet or at all), and how that grief is valid and realThe underrated role of time in healing and shifting perspective, with a beautiful quote from The Stepmom Side community that reframes what “firsts” really meanIf you’ve ever felt like your partner’s “second chance,” this episode will remind you that you’re actually his current choice—and that you’re creating a story together that is no less meaningful.What You’ll Walk Away With:Permission to feel your feelings without guilt or shameReassurance that you're not crazy, broken, or aloneTools for reframing missed firsts and celebrating the new “firsts” you're building nowLanguage to ask your partner for reassurance in moments of doubtStepmom, you are not second best.You’re just second chronologically—and there’s a big difference.🎧 Tune in now and let Alicia walk with you through this common but rarely named experience.Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#103: You're Not the Fixer: How to Truly Support Your Spouse
Alicia gets real about what it means to support your partner through parenting challenges. From learning when to speak up to knowing when to simply listen, Alicia shares personal stories and practical tips for navigating these tough moments with love and patience. This episode is for anyone who's ever struggled with how to show up for their spouse without stepping on toes—or losing themselves in the process.Plus, Alicia shares how couples coaching can help partners reconnect and communicate better, especially during high-stress parenting seasons.Mentioned in this episode:Alicia’s personal story of learning to support without “fixing”How to ask the right question: “Do you want support or solutions?”Understanding emotional triggers in your partnerWhen to talk, when to listen, and when to step backCouples Coaching – application-only access Apply hereWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#101: Finding Me Time Amidst Blended Family Chaos
In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko gets real about the silent struggle so many stepmoms face: losing themselves in the chaos of blended family life. One day you’re living your carefree (ish) life, and the next, you're the emotional project manager of a household that runs on other people's schedules and drama. Sound familiar?Alicia breaks down how the gradual burnout happens—and why so many stepmoms feel like they’ve completely lost touch with what they enjoy. From feeling like you have to do it all, to fearing what “the mom” might think if you step back, to snapping at your partner because you’re just. so. tapped. out.—this episode is your permission slip to start taking up space again.She shares the exact script to use when telling your partner why you’re blocking off non-negotiable me time, and gives practical tips to help you reconnect with yourself (no, you don’t need a weekend away or a 3-hour spa day… unless you want that, too).Because the truth is? Your stepfamily doesn’t need a martyr.They need you—the recharged, connected, joy-filled version of you.👯♀️ Want to know what other stepmoms do for "me time"? Join The Stepmom Side Community and ask!There’s a whole crew of women who get it and are walking this road with you.🔗 Links & Resources:Listen to Episode 101: aliciakrasko.com/101Join the community: aliciakrasko.com/community1:1 coaching with Alicia: aliciakrasko.com/coachingWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
Do you find yourself googling for "Stepmom help" or "Stepmom struggles" more than you'd care to admit? If so, you're in the right place. The Stepmom Side Podcast is a conversational podcast about being a Stepmom and what that actually looks like. Host Alicia Krasko covers everything from part-time, full-time, to being an empty nester as a Stepmom. Every week, you'll get a bit of humor, advice, and a conversation that will have you taking an objective look at how you're showing up. You can expect honest (and uncomfortable) conversations with perspective shifts mixed in to help you create the life you no longer have to google for help.
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