Monthly Archives: September 2010
Recognising (the dynamics of) high conflict divorce
I recently found a fascinating article by Dr Kathy J. Marshack about high-conflict divorce. Although she primarily talks about high conflict divorce with a narcissist, I think her ideas are broadly applicable to other high-conflict personality types. For me, what … Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Divorce, Linkety-Link, Remarriage, Resources, Stepfamily Life, The Ex
The Shake Up
The Boys have been in Our City for the holidays for nearly a week, and it’s past time for a shake up of their rules and responsibilities. Some things they’re doing well; dishes are mostly getting put into the dishwasher … Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Counselling, Kids, Lovely Man, Stepfamily Life
Is there really an epidemic of BPD among separated parents? (from In The Blender)
A couple of days ago, I reposted an article from Suite 101 called How Narcissists Abuse Children During Divorce in response to the huge weight of discussion in the online step-parenting community about personality disorders like Narcissistic Personality Disorder and … Continue reading
Filed under Linkety-Link, Remarriage, Resources, Stepfamily Life
The shame of exposure (via Stepsleuth)
Stepsleuth writes one of the most thoughtful, well-informed stepmother blogs around. I always enjoy her writing and ideas; this post particularly resonated, though, since I’ve become so accustomed to the slow-up-and-down-eyes of first family wives when we are introduced and … Continue reading
Filed under Family, Linkety-Link, Remarriage, Resources, Stepfamily Life
Holidays?
I am absolutely trashed with tiredness. It’s been a busy few days; the Boys’ arrival, visitors, including a child who gets up four-plus times for the toilet each night, a midnight replay of some Grand Final or other that the … Continue reading
Filed under Kids, Stepfamily Life
Resources: How Narcissists Abuse Children During Divorce
Many, many separated family members describe the difficulty of co-parenting with high-conflict ex-spouses who they believe suffer from personality disorders, most often Narcissistic Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. Of course, few of these “diagnoses” will ever be confirmed by medical … Continue reading
Filed under Linkety-Link, Resources
Warning signs for stepmothers
Ask a stepmother what advice she’d give to another woman deciding whether to get involved with a man with kids, and the cliché is that she’ll screech: Run! Run like the wind! I’ve been tempted to trot this one out … Continue reading
Filed under Counselling, Linkety-Link, Stepfamily Life, The Ex, What I Wish I'd Known
The countdown
Pillows, mattresses and doonas are sunned, aired and smoothed. Beds are made up – navy and white star bedspreads, varied with sky blue, ruby red and burnt orange sheets. The colours burn; they’re beautiful. Cupboards are emptied, ready for small socks, … Continue reading
Filed under Kids, Stepfamily Life
Super Stepmother Syndrome
Kela Price, founder of Today’s Modern Family is a one-woman trove of family and relationship resources, with a strong focus on stepfamilies. Kela’s recent article on Super Stepmom Syndrome will, I’m sure, hit a few nerves. If you’re a woman … Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Remarriage, Resources, Stepfamily Life
Meditations on conflict
A recent peek into my blog stats showed up this search string: “killer care bear” And this: “vicious care bear” And my favourite: “care bears with guns” As a mediator, I know that a “care bear” conflict style (often called … Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Family, Linkety-Link, Resources, Stepfamily Life, The Search String Diaries
