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5 Grounding Practices for Stepmoms on Hard Days
Hard days happen. Whether it’s tension in the home, kids giving you the cold shoulder, or feeling like you're on the outside of your own life…it’s a lot. And it’s okay to admit that. You’re not failing. You’re just human. Here are five grounding practices that can help you recenter, breathe, and move through the day with a little more peace. Step Outside (Even for Two Minutes) Sometimes the best thing you can do is literally step out of the situation.Feel the air on your fac

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Oct 282 min read


Sunday Reset for Transition Days.
We transition on Sundays, so having a routine that prepares my mind, heart, and home has been invaluable. If the kids are coming home, I prepare the house. For me, this looks like doing their laundry so it’s clean and ready for the week, updating our family wall calendar, stocking the fridge and pantry, and making sure the home is peaceful and clutter-free when they get back. This helps set up my week for what’s to come and prepares my heart for the change in dynamics. I star

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Oct 192 min read
Awkward Moments.
Meeting someone new almost always comes with small talk. And one of the first questions is nearly always: “ Do you have kids? ” My answer...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Oct 72 min read
Resetting My Heart, Home, and Mind Each Week.
We transition on Sundays, so having a routine that prepares my mind, heart, and home has been invaluable. If the kids are coming home, I...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Sep 22 min read
Finding My Words Again.
It’s been a while since I’ve shown up here, hasn’t it? When I last wrote, I mentioned that I had some thoughts brewing. That was true...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 191 min read
Quiet Part 2.
I’m still here, but still being quiet. I have some thoughts brewing and will share them soon. In the meantime, be on the lookout for a...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Jul 221 min read
Quiet.
I've been very quiet on here, because I'm not really sure what to say. I have posts drafted, I have a lot of posts in my head, but they...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Feb 201 min read


Christmas.
What a wonderful Christmas week! Brandon truly made Christmas magical for us all. We went ice skating, made gingerbread houses, saw...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Jan 31 min read
Thanksgiving.
Brandon and I had a quiet Thanksgiving this year. Just the two of us, no traditional Thanksgiving day meal, because let's be honest, it...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Dec 6, 20241 min read


TEDx
A few weeks ago, I had the absolute privilege of watch my husband, Brandon, speak on the TEDx stage. He is a public speaker by trade and...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Oct 29, 20241 min read
Hardships for kids.
Recently, we were having a conversation about being responsible and communicating with parents. It was brought up how the kids don't...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Oct 15, 20241 min read
Seven Solutions.
1. Establishing Authority Establish authority gradually by building trust and showing respect for the children’s feelings. Work with...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Sep 29, 20242 min read


Podcast.
A few months ago, Brandon and I were asked to be on the No Grey Areas Podcast . The host is Pat McCalla, Brandon's high school...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Sep 25, 20242 min read


Vegas Baby.
We spent the weekend in Vegas celebrating Brandon. Over a year ago we planned this trip, Jerry Seinfeld was playing at the Colosseum, a...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Sep 11, 20241 min read
Back To School.
The first day of school...well, sort of. We were not scheduled to have the kids on their first week of school. Which means no first day...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Sep 3, 20241 min read
Seven Common Stepmom Struggles.
In my experience being a stepmom comes with unique challenges, it involves blending families, navigating new relationships, and balancing...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 30, 20242 min read
Ease Of Vacations.
Every time we travel as a family of five. Life becomes simpler. Particularly true for me, as a stepmom. I get to live, if only for a...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 27, 20241 min read
Parenting Plans And Pushback.
If you are a stepmom or have known someone who is, you have probably heard them talk about a parenting plan. This is a document created...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 23, 20241 min read
To The Childless Stepmom Part 2.
A stepmom lovingly shows up knowing she won't be number one, and that's a heartache people don't seem to understand. You knew the...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 22, 20241 min read


Some Things Just Require Hands-On Learning.
This picture came up on my phone today. So, many memories flooded back to me. I don't know the exact date this was taken, sometime in...

JoyAnn Elizabeth
Aug 20, 20241 min read
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