Stepparenting Site
	Barbara Rice DeShong, Ph.D BellaOnline's Stepparenting Editor

Before Becoming a Step Mom
An open letter to women who are considering becoming a step mom. It can be a rewarding and wonderful experience, but only if you go into it with your eyes open.

Being a Good Step Mom Takes Time
There is a learning curve involved in becoming a parent -- and that learning curve is even more drastic when you're learning to be a step parent.

Bonding with Step Children
There is no better time than the holidays to bond with your stepchildren.

Dad versus Step Dad
When mom decides to remarry, it's not just the kids who are affected. Dads can feel threatened, anxious, and worried about how the new guy -- step dad -- will affect his relationship with his kids.

Feelings of Resentment as a Stepparent
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you have feelings of resentment toward your spouse or stepkids. It's normal, and it's ok.

Finding Joy in Step Parenting
There are painful moments in every step parent relationship, but there is joy and happiness too.

Grieving - Relationships That Could Have Been
Another cross-country move, this time with an older and wiser stepdaughter, who grieves the loss of her mother to circumstances as I grieve the loss of mine to cancer.

Happy Mother's Day
The exciting journey on the road to discovering motherhood in all its beautiful forms -- whether you gave birth to the child or not.

Heart
Having heart

How to Keep Your Marriage Strong
Building a new family can cause an extraordinary amount of stress, especially on a new marriage. Learn how to keep your marriage strong.

No Halfways
Siblings are siblings whether they share one parent or two -- avoid the "half-sibling" trap.

Stepmother Fun with Stepchildren
Stepmothers can plan ways to have fun with stepchildren. By doing this you can enjoy being a stepparent.

Teenage Stepchildren
Teenage step kids present different challenges than younger children.

The Ex Partner the Unspoken Relationship
When you marry someone with children with children from a previous marriage, you take on a relationship not mentioned in your wedding vows. You have a person to be considered in your marriage that, most likely, wasn’t part of your wedding and marriage plans. That person is the ex.