The Stepmom Diaries | Blended Family & Stepmom Support Podcast27 Aug

Are You Still Trying to Earn Your Place? The Father Wound in Stepmom Life | Terri Cole

Have you ever felt like you have to be helpful enough, easygoing enough, or needed enough to truly earn your place in your stepfamily? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole joins Cameron to explore how a father wound in stepmom life can quietly show up as overfunctioning, people pleasing, resentment, and the belief that everyone else's needs should come before your own.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why high achieving, capable women can still carry a deep worthiness wound
How overfunctioning and constantly putting yourself last can become your way of trying to belong
How to tell when a difficult stepfamily situation may also be activating something from your past
How stepmoms can help children feel seen, valued, and emotionally safe without trying to replace a parent

Terri also shares her own experience becoming a stepmom to three teenage boys and why she believes stepmoms have to stop silently suffering, walking on eggshells, and waiting for someone else to give them permission to matter.

Resources From This Episode

Terri Cole's new book, Father Wound
Learn more and preorder at fatherwoundbook.com. Terri also shares information there about her virtual Father Wound retreat for preorder customers.

Connect with Terri Cole
Find Terri, her work, podcast, upcoming appearances, and more at terricole.com.

The Stepmom Summit
Terri is returning as a speaker for the 2026 Stepmom Summit. Get your free ticket at thestepmomsummit.com.

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Episoder(144)

What Stepmoms Can Learn From an Adult Stepdaughter | Robin Breuner

What does your stepchild actually need from you, even if they cannot put it into words? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Robin Breuner, host of Step Stories: Thriving and...

3 Sep 25min

REWIND: What To Do When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You

When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You: Dealing With a High Conflict Bio Mom There are some parts of becoming a stepmom you expect to be complicated. Your relationship with your partner's ex probably isn't one...

31 Aug 24min

The Stepmom Summit Is Back! 30+ Experts, LIVE Support & Free Registration

The Stepmom Summit is back for its 6th year, and this year we're going Out Loud. Join Cameron Normand and more than 30 stepfamily and relationship experts, including Patricia Papernow, Terri Cole, Jam...

24 Aug 1min

The "Ours Baby" in a Blended Family: What No One Tells You | Amanda Gonzales, LCMHC & Morgan Lindahl

What happens when you have an ours baby in a blended family and suddenly one child is staying home while their siblings leave for another house? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits do...

20 Aug 29min

When Sex Starts Feeling Like a Chore: Rebuilding Intimacy in Your Marriage | Meygan & Casey Caston

When sex starts feeling like one more thing on the to do list, it is easy to assume something is wrong with your relationship. But often, what is happening in the bedroom has a lot more to do with wha...

13 Aug 34min

Is Your Therapist Using the Wrong Map? What Therapy for Stepfamilies Should Look Like

Have you ever left therapy feeling heard, but not truly understood? Maybe you were told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, present a united front, or step up and discipline your step...

6 Aug 18min

Lost Yourself in Stepmotherhood? How Curiosity Can Help You Find Yourself Again | Amy Nesbitt

When you became a stepmom, you probably expected your life to change. What you may not have expected was how easy it would be to lose yourself in the process. Between navigating stepfamily dynamics, s...

30 Jul 26min