Serving Up Connection

Below is a brief excerpt from my article, Serving Up Connection, published in the September 2017 issue of StepMom Magazine.
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It’s no surprise that quality time with your stepkids will help foster a closer relationship.We all dream of being able to spend genuine, meaningful and, of course, conflict-free time together. But reality can and does get in the way. The parenting schedule is often changing and complicated. Life gets busy with work, running kids to lessons, cleaning the house and cooking dinner. If the relationship is tense, the thought of setting aside time to try and connect can feel like volunteering for an hour of emotional punishment. Thankfully there is hope. Laura Markham, PhD, is a mom, clinical psychologist and author of the Peaceful Parent series, which includes titles like “Peaceful Parent, Happy Stepkids” and “Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings.” She hosts AhaParenting.com, writes for publications like “Psychology Today” and offers us profound yet simple advice. “In relationships,” Markham notes, “without quantity there’s no quality.” In other words, small but frequent moments of connection will make it possible to have the quality time we desire. Instead of striving for an
entire evening of laughter and soul-baring connection with your stepkids (and then feeling guilty if it doesn’t happen), focus that energy into small, frequent attempts to connect.

Want to read more? Check out stepmommag.com