#121: Peace Over Presents: Letting Go of Comparison in Your Blended Family Christmas
When the holidays roll around, so does the pressure — to make it fair, to make it magical, and to not lose your mind when the ex goes overboard or your stepkids start comparing gifts. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia unpacks the gift-giving grief that shows up for so many stepmoms — the quiet, unspoken frustration of trying not to compete or control while still wanting to be thoughtful.You’ll hear how to:✨ Break the pattern of comparison between homes✨ Stop feeling like the “gift police” when boundaries get blurry✨ Reconnect with your real intentions behind giving✨ Manage your emotions when stepkids brag or gifts feel one-sided✨ Find peace, presence, and joy without overspending or overcompensatingWhether you’re navigating an over-the-top ex, trying to set spending limits, or just want to make the holidays less stressful, this one’s for you.Listen to get your peace (and sanity) back this holiday season.Podcast episode mentioned:How to Give Better Gifts with Patrick Kucharson👉 Join The Stepmom Side Community for extra support, live Office Hours, and validation from women who get it.Support the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
The holidays can feel like a ticking time bomb in blended families — forced togetherness, high expectations, and the pressure to make everything magical can lead to major tension between stepkids and bio kids.In this episode, Alicia Krasko tackles the emotional chaos of holiday dynamics: sibling rivalry, stepkid drama, and what to do when your partner doesn’t step up. She shares practical tools, mindset shifts, and boundary-setting strategies to help you protect your peace — especially when the oldest child is acting like a second parent.You’ll learn how to:Navigate step vs. bio kid tension during the holidaysTalk to your partner when they won’t take the leadRecognize and relieve the “parentified” oldest childSet boundaries that keep the chaos in checkAdopt a mindset of progress, not perfectionWhether you’re hosting the big dinner or just trying to survive another blended holiday, this episode gives you real-world support and permission to prioritize your peace.Support the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#119: Feeling Left Out as a Stepmom: Why It Happens and What to Do
Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own home? In this heartfelt and practical episode, Alicia breaks down why stepmoms often feel left out of family moments — and what you can do about it.From unspoken group texts to being excluded from decisions and traditions, Alicia shares real-life examples (including a cringe-worthy moment at Cedar Point) that will have you nodding your head thinking, “Yes. That’s me.”But more importantly, she gives you five practical strategies to help you feel seen, heard, and respected in your role — without begging for inclusion.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why feeling left out doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrongHow loyalty binds, emotional labor, and societal norms play into stepmom exclusionCommon moments where stepmoms feel invisibleHow to speak up without blowing upHow to create your own traditions, set boundaries, and reframe what inclusion really meansWhether you’re deep in the trenches or just starting your journey, this episode will remind you that you’re not invisible — and you’re definitely not alone.👉 Need more support? Join us in The Stepmom Side Community where we dive deeper into these topics together.Support the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#118: When Your Partner Sides With the Kids: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know
When your partner sides with the kids, it can feel like betrayal — or at the very least, like you’ve been completely shut out. This episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast digs into those moments of emotional hurt and confusion that so many stepmoms experience but few talk about openly.We explore the power dynamics at play and the often invisible loyalty binds that pull at your partner — and how those dynamics can impact your marriage, your mental health, and the overall vibe in your blended family.You’ll hear:Why siding with the kids is so common (and so painful)Scripts you can use when it happensTools for repairing trust and rebuilding your team dynamicA reminder that you're not asking your partner to choose — you're asking to be seenIf you’ve ever felt unheard, disrespected, or like the “outsider” in your own home, this is a must-listen. You deserve a relationship that honors your voice and supports a united parenting approach.Resources mentioned:Free: Mastering the StressorsApply for Couples CoachingPodcast episode: Caught in the Middle: The Truth About Dad Guilt in StepfamiliesSupport the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
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#117: Why Peace Isn’t the Same as Perfection
In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia gets real about one of the biggest misconceptions stepmoms have — that peace comes when everything is finally perfect....and then hear something going wrong in real time. :)If you’ve ever thought, “Once the ex chills out… once the kids listen… once my partner gets it — THEN I’ll finally have peace,” this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.Alicia shares why chasing perfection only leads to burnout and resentment — and how true peace comes from within, not from a flawless blended family. She breaks down what peace actually looks like in stepmom life (even when chaos is still happening), plus three practical ways to choose calm over control.You’ll walk away with a lighter heart and a powerful reminder:Peace isn’t a reward for getting it all right. It’s what you deserve, even when everything’s still a little wrong.Listen in to learn:Why perfection keeps you stuck in frustration and comparisonWhat peace really looks like in everyday stepmom momentsThree simple mindset shifts to choose peace, even in chaosHow to stop waiting for everyone else to change before you feel calm🎧 Tune in now and start finding your peace — no perfection required.👉 Join The Stepmom Side Community for support, live coaching, and monthly mindset moments: aliciakrasko.com/communityFree Resource: Mastering the StressorsSupport the showWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.
Do you find yourself googling for "Stepmom help" or "Stepmom struggles" more than you'd care to admit? If so, you're in the right place. The Stepmom Side Podcast is a conversational podcast about being a Stepmom and what that actually looks like. Host Alicia Krasko covers everything from part-time, full-time, to being an empty nester as a Stepmom. Every week, you'll get a bit of humor, advice, and a conversation that will have you taking an objective look at how you're showing up. You can expect honest (and uncomfortable) conversations with perspective shifts mixed in to help you create the life you no longer have to google for help.
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