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	<title>Stepcoupling &#187; stepcoupling</title>
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	<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com</link>
	<description>Susan Wisdom writes about the challenges and joys of Step Parenting.</description>
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		<title>Change The Record, Please</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2012/01/change-the-record-please/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2012/01/change-the-record-please/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["change the record"]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apologies and amends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[happy new year]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday post mortem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to have a happy new year]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily holiday issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wise advise-forgive yourself]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=1038</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Holiday post mortem: does this sound familiar?: It was a good holiday EXCEPT for that one bad incident. It could have been when you lost your temper with your stepchild. Or when you insulted your partner’s ex. When you drank too much. Or burned the casserole. Or when you yelled at your husband, who was [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Looking Back And Appreciating The Present &#8211; It Can Happen To You!</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/09/looking-back-and-appreciating-the-present-it-can-happen-to-you/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/09/looking-back-and-appreciating-the-present-it-can-happen-to-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:20:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Building Relationships with Kids and Stepkids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Developing and Growing your Blended Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beauty of grandchildren]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[great fun and shared memories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[light at the end of the tunnel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[memories from past]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily as it ages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily celebrations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[story telling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summer trip with stepfamily]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=1004</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I wish that, back in the chaotic and stressful years when I was newly remarried with 5 children, I could have seen what the future held for our family. The highlight of this summer was a family gathering that I couldn’t have imagined back then. Our family spent a week in central Oregon—without a fight [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/09/looking-back-and-appreciating-the-present-it-can-happen-to-you/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Feeling Alone And Finding Help</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/05/feeling-alone-finding-help/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/05/feeling-alone-finding-help/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 15:00:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deciding to Remarry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taking Care of Yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fears and tears of stepmoms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ghastly Night]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help for new stepfamily]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to develop thick skin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new stepfamily]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vulnerability of new stepparents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=759</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A long time ago, David and I went to a fancy cocktail party hosted by friends of David and his ex-wife. I knew the hosts a little but hardly considered them my friends. We got our drinks and were standing around when I saw a woman making a beeline towards me! Following the obligatory hug, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/05/feeling-alone-finding-help/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Five Greatest Challenges for a New Stepcouple</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/04/the-five-greatest-challenges-for-a-new-stepcouple/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/04/the-five-greatest-challenges-for-a-new-stepcouple/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:48:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deciding to Remarry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[5 common struggles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-parenting each other's kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[from romantic 2 to group affair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[from stepcouple to stepfamily]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growing into new stepfamily together]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to make stepparenting easier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[Continued from the previous blog post, “One Mixed Up Bundle of Relationships”] Newly married, we had no idea what we were doing or how to do it. Everyone felt fragile and confused…completely out of our comfort zones. David’s kids and my kids were very clear about who their parents were—the stepparents did not qualify. All [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2011/04/the-five-greatest-challenges-for-a-new-stepcouple/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Help! Holidays Are Coming Fast!</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/help-holidays-coming-fast/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/help-holidays-coming-fast/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:23:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taking Care of Yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[happy holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peace and calmness during holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susan Wisdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=655</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The holidays are coming fast.  I’m afraid I can’t possibly make everyone happy.  I can’t do everything I want to do.  There’s not enough time.   Not enough money.  I can’t find the gift I want… because they probably don’t make it anymore! Stuff happens when you least expect it. I have to STOP MYSELF.  I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/help-holidays-coming-fast/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Holiday Chaos: Changing the Script</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/holiday-chaos-creating-calm/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/holiday-chaos-creating-calm/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:32:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Enhancing Your Stepcouple Relationship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taking Care of Yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conflicting expectations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David and Susan Wisdom send holiday greetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dealing with holiday money and kid issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finding solutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday stepcouple chaos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taking breaks from the stress]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=653</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Written by David Wisdom “I thought I said, no damn tinsel on the tree.” “We gotta have roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.” “Why do I have to sit at the card table with her kids?” “Do you really have to put all those lights on the house?” “We absolutely have to cut back on the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/12/holiday-chaos-creating-calm/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is Your Stepcouple Cratering?</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/11/is-your-stepcouple-cratering/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/11/is-your-stepcouple-cratering/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:34:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Enhancing Your Stepcouple Relationship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Competition with kids and stepkids. Stepparenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Developing stepcouple trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding your way in stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[From romantic twosome to stepcouple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Making collaborative decisions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solving stepcouple conflicts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple honesty and communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcoupling advise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susan Wisdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=645</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some days it seems to take everything out of you to just stay together.  It’s hard and painful. The romance has faded.  What’s left?  You wonder why did you do it.  What were you thinking? Most stepcouples have these moments&#8230; hours, days, even weeks… or longer.  You miss the fairy tale romance… the hopes and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/11/is-your-stepcouple-cratering/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It&#8217;s Not the Kids or the Exes&#8230; It&#8217;s You!</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/10/its-not-the-kids-or-the-exes-its-you/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/10/its-not-the-kids-or-the-exes-its-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:14:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dealing with the Other Parent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deciding to Remarry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enhancing Your Stepcouple Relationship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taking Care of Yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advise for stepcouples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boundaries in stepfamilies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communication and commitment in stepcouples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids need stability in stepfamilies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[partnership is key]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcouple endurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcouple stability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple team]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susan Wisdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=642</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s you who makes or breaks a stepcouple. All married couples, partnerships, and families have problems.  Granted, stepcouples may have more problems and certainly different problems than traditional families.  But that’s not the issue. A stable adult stepcouple relationship with a strong emotional commitment will endure no matter what.  No person and no force can [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/10/its-not-the-kids-or-the-exes-its-you/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Unbreakable Bonds: How To Help The Kids</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/unbreakable-bonds-how-to-help-the-kids/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/unbreakable-bonds-how-to-help-the-kids/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:33:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Building Relationships with Kids and Stepkids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dealing with the Other Parent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Developing and Growing your Blended Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biological parent/child bonds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[helpful questions for stepparents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids' natural loyalties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[preserving first and second family bonds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[remarried families]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamily and stepcouple support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepparenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susan Wisdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=593</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Too often, as a struggling stepparent, it’s easy to lose yourself in self-pity, resentment and jealousy—and, amid it all, forget what the kids are enduring. Grappling with the separation of their biological parents—not to mention also adjusting to the idea that one or both parents now have new partners—is a devastating process for the children. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/unbreakable-bonds-how-to-help-the-kids/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Don’t Be Fooled: There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Family</title>
		<link>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/no-such-thing-as-a-perfect-family/</link>
		<comments>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/no-such-thing-as-a-perfect-family/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:48:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Wisdom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deciding to Remarry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Developing and Growing your Blended Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stepcouple Challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["normal" families vs. stepfamilies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rewards of stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcouple challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcouple journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepcoupling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepfamilies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stepparenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susan Wisdom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stepcoupling.com/?p=574</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As stepcouples, does it sometimes feel as though other so-called “normal” families are better off? Do you sometimes observe them and feel jealous of the way they appear to interact—to talk and play and laugh—so naturally and comfortably? And, as a result, does this comparison make you feel as though your stepfamily were somehow worse? [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stepcoupling.com/2010/07/no-such-thing-as-a-perfect-family/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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