The Stepmom Side Podcast

Kids are emotional chameleons — sweet one minute, sassy the next, and then asking for help like nothing ever happened. For stepmoms (especially those without kids of their own), those mood swings can feel deeply personal.In this episode, Alicia gets real about how confusing and hurtful kids’ quick emotional flips can be — and why they usually have nothing to do with you. She shares a personal story about her daughter going from furious to friendly in record time and what it taught her about emotional regulation, perspective, and saving yourself from unnecessary heartache.Alicia breaks down:Why kids’ moods can change on a dime (and the unseen variables behind it)How to stop taking every “off” behavior personallyWhat emotional regulation actually looks like for kids (spoiler: it doesn’t)The right (and wrong) way to address disrespect or attitudeHow to keep your peace when kids forget they were just mad at youIf you’ve ever spiraled after a stepkid’s attitude shift or found yourself holding on to something long after they’ve moved on, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone — and it’s not personal.Join other stepmoms learning how to take things less personally (and laugh about it along the way) inside The Stepmom Side Community.For 1:1 coaching, visit aliciakrasko.com/coaching.Support the showWant 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.

Are you tired of repeating yourself and feeling like your partner just doesn’t hear you? Whether it’s dad guilt, lack of boundaries with the kids, inconsistency in parenting, or not feeling prioritized in your relationship — this episode is here to validate and support you.In this episode, Alicia breaks down why communication feels so hard in blended families, why your partner may not respond the way you hope, and how being "too close" to the situation can make you the least effective person to bring up these issues.You’ll learn:Why it’s normal for your partner to shut down (and why it’s not about you)What really causes that defensive reaction when you try to talk about the hard stuffHow to shift the conversation without walking on eggshellsWhy outside support (like couples coaching with Alicia) can be a game-changerIf you're exhausted from having the same conversations that go nowhere, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a path forward.Interested in Couples Coaching? Apply here!Support the showWant 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.

In this deeply honest episode, we’re getting into the emotional weeds of what happens when the ex’s belongings, photos, or influence are still showing up in your home. From hoodies and framed photos to never-ending texts between your partner and their ex, it can start to feel like you’re suffocating in someone else’s life.Especially for childless and childfree stepmoms, the presence of “her stuff” can stir up major discomfort—and lead to fights with your partner, emotional shutdowns, or resentment toward the kids.Alicia shares her personal experience and helps you reframe the issue so you can set boundaries without guilt, protect your peace without controlling the narrative, and finally start to feel at home in your own house. This episode offers validation, strategy, and a healthy dose of real talk for any stepmom who’s ever felt like a guest in her own home.What You’ll Learn:Why “her stuff” hits different when you’re childless or childfreeHow to avoid explosive fights with your partner about the exReframing the discomfort as part of your stepmom growthThe difference between setting boundaries and controlling the spaceTips to stop feeling like a stranger in your own homeSupport the showWant 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.

Is your partner’s past still taking up space in your present-day relationship? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. Whether it's memories of the ex, old traditions, or constant reminders of “how things used to be,” retroactive jealousy and emotional triggers are real in stepmom life.In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotional weight of feeling like you’re competing with the past—and how to move forward with confidence. We’ll talk about:Why retroactive jealousy is more common than you thinkHow your husband’s past relationship can affect your presentThe real reason these feelings sting so deeplyTangible tools to process your emotions without shameHow to create new memories and reclaim your space in the blended familyThis episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and empowered to take back your role—not as a replacement, but as a renewal.Support the showWant 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.

When you thought things would finally get easier once they were grown… but your adult stepkids still make you feel like an outsider. In this episode, Alicia digs into what’s really going on when adult stepkids won’t accept you — and how to stop tying your peace to their approval.She shares the emotional layers behind this rejection, why it’s not actually about you, and the exact mindset shifts to help you feel confident, calm, and back in control.Whether your adult stepkids are cold, distant, or flat-out disrespectful, this truth-telling pep talk will help you release the guilt, stop overcompensating, and reclaim your power — without turning bitter or backing down.Listen in to learn:Why adult stepkids struggle to accept you (even years later)How loyalty binds and family guilt still play a roleThe biggest trap stepmoms fall into when trying to “prove” themselvesWhat you can actually control (and what you can’t)How to detach from their approval and find peace on your termsFree resource:10 Tips to Get Through the HolidaysJoin the conversation:Find your people inside The Stepmom Side CommunityGet personalized coaching at aliciakrasko.com/coachingSupport the showWant 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.