Other Mothers: Our Own Worst Enemy

Getting Real With Shadra Bruce Like the bodies that make the babies, motherhood itself comes in all shapes and sizes. And it really doesn’t matter what kind of mom you are; you’ll end up facing criticism. If you work while parenting, you aren’t there...
Claim Your Status, Stepmoms!

Claim Your Status, Stepmoms!

I don’t run into as many problems any more with the older kids out of school, but there was a time when being a stepparent caused annoyance and frustration. There were times when I was unable to speak for my kids, like when teachers called and wanted to speak to...
Adjusting to Life in a Blended Family

Adjusting to Life in a Blended Family

Probably one of the more notable challenges of living in a blended family is adjusting to the various lifestyles and attitudes each of us bring to the newly formed group. The kids were old enough, when their biological mother left, to remember some differences between...
Broken Ornaments Better Than Broken Hearts

Broken Ornaments Better Than Broken Hearts

Getting Real With Shadra Bruce Opening Christmas presents might be what the kids look forward to the most, but it’s decorating the tree together that builds memories that last. If you celebrate Christmas, it’s likely your kids are already bouncing off the walls with...
25 Rules for Being a GOOD StepMom

25 Rules for Being a GOOD StepMom

Getting Real with Shadra Bruce I am very lucky to have been involved in the raising of five wonderful children, two of whom are my birth children (an 11-year old son and an 8-year old daughter) and three that I inherited by marrying their father, who retained custody...