<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Stepmom Sanity]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hope for Stepmoms Who are There, from Stepmoms Who've Been There!]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:33:28 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.stepmomsanity.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How Stepmoms Can Handle a Controlling Ex: Boundaries, Peace, and Supporting Your Spouse Without Losing Yourself]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a spouse’s ex uses the children to exert control, it can leave a stepmom feeling caught in the middle of a battle she never chose. But you don’t have to lose your peace to protect your family. With wisdom, healthy boundaries, and faith, you can support your spouse, guard your marriage, and build a home marked by steadiness and grace—even when co-parenting gets complicated.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/how-stepmoms-can-handle-a-controlling-ex-boundaries-peace-and-supporting-your-spouse-without-losi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a76fdbb7ed4896814a5fea</guid><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:18:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_7d5bffb4b75a40db8435b17ebc2de046~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Essential Blended Family Resources for Building a Stronger Home]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blended families face unique challenges that require patience, communication, and support. From counseling and support groups to educational tools and faith-based guidance, blended family resources provide practical strategies to strengthen relationships, support children, and create a healthy, connected home environment for every family member.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/essential-blended-family-resources-for-building-a-stronger-home</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695d118fbdb7a40d88d866f1</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_a1d8f2c5bc4d4aacaa5f336927b71fca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_674,h_470,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Hope in God: A Journey Through Life's Challenges]]></title><description><![CDATA[Some years feel like pages we’d rather not reread—but hope has a way of pulling our eyes forward. With few exceptions, 2025 has been a chapter filled with pages that belong on the "delete" list. There have been days when I sat in my living room replaying a loop: Lord, will it get better? Was this really the plan!? Am I doing enough?  You know those thoughts—the ones that sneak in when the house is quiet, just in time to lead you down forlorn roads. In those moments, I have to remember: Hope...]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/looking-forward-finding-hope-in-god</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693a15474e2629cde3a474cd</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:06:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_ad207d00803d49c98270ab7f685872db~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[God Wants to Be Good to You: Experience God's Goodness in Your Blended Family Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[“If life hurts, God must not be good.”
That lie has whispered to every stepmom’s heart at some point. But what if hardship and goodness can actually coexist—and what if God’s goodness is closer than you think, even in the mess of blended family life? 
Read the full blog: God Wants to Be Good to You]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/god-wants-to-be-good-to-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d58d33964c34d74a1dfefe</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:53:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_b5b2e656cbf744ce9f42da525b817b66~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_869,h_570,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pencils, Prayers &#38; Peace (Eventually): Christ-centered Back to School  for Tips Blended Families]]></title><description><![CDATA[Back-to-school stress is a given, but it doesn’t have to be a god. You don't have to bow to it or be undone by it. I used to treat August like a military operation: Every detail triple-checked, every contingency planned. I was Moses with a planner, minus the staff. But God didn’t call us to control every outcome. He called us to faithfulness.
Instead of spiraling into anxiety about supplies and schedules, I started asking God to help me see this season differently. ]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/christ-centered-back-to-school-tips-for-blended-families</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688fdf79b00b0ea0c747b9d8</guid><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2025 23:55:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_c40a4847f0fe4b8797a9bb2628b3c8fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tips for Living a Balanced Stepmom Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[Whether you're a new stepmom or have been in the role for years, a full-time SAHM, or rarely see your kids, I know you need a "balance refresher". These strategies can help you find balance in a busy bonus mom life - not a perfect balance, but a faithful one - as you navigate supporting your husband, loving your children, fulfilling your other roles, and caring for your own heart.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/tips-for-living-a-balanced-stepmom-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6846f1237d890f01fad4c8fb</guid><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 14:36:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_bfe7e189516442338ebfbaac0268fc98~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[No More Mother's Day Mayhem: Rewriting Mother's Day as a Stepmom]]></title><description><![CDATA[So if Mother’s Day feels tender, complicated, or just heavy, let’s rewrite the script together this year. Lay your hand over your heart and say it with me, "No more Mother's Day Mayhem!" ]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/no-more-mother-s-day-mayhem-rewriting-mother-s-day-as-a-stepmom</link><guid isPermaLink="false">680f78dcea739637ebb12eab</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepmomming]]></category><category><![CDATA[EmotionalHealth]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 09:04:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_50de26f98cdf49b3b99192704252972d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_861,h_606,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Celebrating the Impact Stepmoms Have in Families]]></title><description><![CDATA[Being a stepmom isn’t for the faint of heart. You show up in love, lead with grace, and keep going—even when the road is bumpy and the reward isn’t immediate. That kind of commitment deserves to be celebrated.  In a world that often overlooks this role, let’s flip the script. Let’s make stepmom celebration a rhythm, not a rarity—a way of life that reminds every woman walking this path that her presence is powerful, her role is sacred, and her love is deeply impactful.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/celebrating-the-impact-stepmoms-have-in-families</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67fd0284555ee813e6b785d4</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:54:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_9e51305c84844bd99cb0bd71843a1c85~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cultivating Cooperative Coparenting: A Blueprint for Building Familial Harmony]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Ashara Hood When I was in high school, a hit hip-hop song penned by extraordinary lyricist Dana Owens—better known as Queen...]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/cultivating-cooperative-coparenting-a-blueprint-for-building-familial-harmony</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67d83325f0ff411ae68ec03e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:23:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_262f79209abf437a97053b2d10e214cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_608,h_865,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Together We Win: God's Blueprint for a Thriving Blended Family Marriage]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blended family marriage thrives with faith, unity, and effort. Prioritize your bond, align parenting, and handle conflict with grace.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/together-we-win-god-s-blueprint-for-a-thriving-blended-family-marriage</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a13340f0d6f42a5b4e3025</guid><category><![CDATA[Love and Marriage]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:03:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_2e61282cfc094fe8809ac9ae6d038c04~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_805,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Chaos to Connection: Building Resilient Blended Families Through Faith]]></title><description><![CDATA[Resilience is your "bounce-back-ability" and you must have it in order to move your family from chaos to connection.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/from-chaos-to-connection-building-resilient-blended-families-through-faith</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679813c94b4f21d5ea0b0982</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:39:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_cae9308e223846b3a87098c0729c90f1~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Pieces to a Masterpiece: Building a Blended Family Legacy That Lasts]]></title><description><![CDATA[Turn your blended family into a lasting legacy. Learn to set values, blend histories, and build a shared vision for unity and love.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/from-pieces-to-a-masterpiece-building-a-blended-family-legacy-that-lasts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67340712d88d3490617bf8d0</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:11:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_bfe7e189516442338ebfbaac0268fc98~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shattered Silence: Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Break Free]]></title><description><![CDATA[Shattered Silence: Break free from the hidden cycle of abuse. Learn how to recognize the signs and reclaim your voice and life.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/shattered-silence-recognize-the-signs-of-abuse-cycle</link><guid isPermaLink="false">671a5bc4dc509847d18c85f9</guid><category><![CDATA[EmotionalHealth]]></category><category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category><category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:26:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_11b3191c171f439bb541cf9ac0f539dd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ribbons and Bows: Holiday Traditions for Stepfamily Bonding]]></title><description><![CDATA[Strengthen bonds this season with fun, faith-filled holiday traditions to for stepfamily bonding! Create unity, joy, and lasting memories!]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/ribbons-and-bows-holiday-traditions-for-stepfamily-bonding</link><guid isPermaLink="false">670eb7aa38af179fe3130821</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_2e82d16542a8478e9748e0afba83f14e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[No More Drama: Biblical Wisdom for Co-parenting Courtroom Chaos ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stay calm amid co-parenting chaos with God's peace and wisdom. Practical steps to rise above courtroom drama and protect your heart. #Stepmo]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/no-more-drama-biblical-wisdom-for-co-parenting-courtroom-chaos</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66ff1b8d1e2bdd4a90d48291</guid><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category><category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 04 Oct 2024 14:27:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_beb3fea803fd4e64b591e795f2cb5544~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_858,h_574,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Bliss: Tips for Embracing a Stepmom Self-Care Sabbatical]]></title><description><![CDATA[This journey can be incredibly rewarding yet undeniably challenging. Balancing the various responsibilities and dynamics within a blended...]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/finding-bliss-tips-for-embracing-a-stepmom-self-care-sabbatical</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f1a593fae460cfbfc6e0b6</guid><category><![CDATA[EmotionalHealth]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepmomming]]></category><category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:41:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_61141baead164620abc70512fb872aae~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Ultimate Step-Mom Survival Guide: Navigating the Unknown with Joy!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Were you really ready for one of the most rewarding journeys out there - step-motherhood? Stepping into the role of a stepmom is often described as a journey into the unknown. You may have felt a calling to love and nurture your stepchildren, yet the path is riddled with challenges, uncertainties, and emotional complexities. How do you embrace this role with joy when the road seems so unpredictable? As a Christ-following stepmom, you have a unique opportunity to lean on God’s wisdom, grace,...]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/the-ultimate-step-mom-survival-guide-navigating-the-unknown-with-joy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66cf6acb17d1bf626142f657</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:17:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_6805c10382b9495d871bce2a77cb958c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grandparenting Step by Step: Do's and Don'ts]]></title><description><![CDATA[ Bonus grandparents play a pivotal role in blended family dynamics. 
A well-adjusted bonus grandparent can help a blended family bond!]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/grandparenting-step-by-step-do-s-and-don-ts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60904496f1ebe600152e28bb</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2022 22:05:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_de291f6681f249c4afaf13c5478613ff~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Prepping Your Heart for Mother's Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[“It’s just one day,” but it is a day of great significance... well-supplied with unrealistic expectations, tension, and territorial wars... ]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/prepping-your-heart-for-mother-s-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">627508bcc1d1cde3a99fcd4d</guid><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><category><![CDATA[EmotionalHealth]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepmomming]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 11:53:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_3df91c529e3345f991e51b72a06362e2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Conflict Serves]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let's begin a conversation on how to use conflict to improve our marriage.]]></description><link>https://www.stepmomsanity.com/post/how-conflict-serves</link><guid isPermaLink="false">622962b9f62736118108601c</guid><category><![CDATA[Love and Marriage]]></category><category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 02:49:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a5cd6c_ac5c962a04354111bcfc0beb58a31e2a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cheryl Shumake</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>