Today on my blog, I am featuring a fellow author from my Publisher, 4RV Publishing, LLC. Shawn Simon’s new book is called “Stepping Into a New Role, Stories from Stepmoms.” I think her book offers us an honest look at the challenges of being a stepmom in today’s culture. I hope you enjoy learning about Shawn’s book. And, if you read it, please remember to write a review of the book on Amazon to help others learn about this work.
Stories from Stepmoms
Thank you so much, Yvonne, for hosting me on your blog! With everything going on in our world right now, it feels like a strange time to be launching a new book. However, I’ve had several people tell me this is actually a good time for stepmoms to have a book full of stories from other stepmoms. Many stepmoms are spending more time with their stepchildren, who they might be struggling to connect with. Perhaps reading other stepmoms’ experiences will help them feel less alone. These stories may help them feel encouraged and supported.
The Purpose
Feeling alone and out of my comfort zone is what prompted me to write this book. I foolishly thought being a stepmom would be easy because I work with kids. Kids love me. When I found myself single again at the age of thirty-eight, I figured I’d most likely meet someone with children and thought being a stepmom would be ideal.
Did I mention it was a foolish thought? Step-mothering was not easy at all. Many factors never crossed my mind. First, the grief the kids felt due to their parents’ divorce. Or them not wanting another mother figure. Finally, my presence being further proof, their parents would not be getting back together. None of those concerns entered my mind.
When I looked for books to help, I found several self-help ones, academic type books, but I don’t care for books like that. I prefer stories from real people struggling with similar issues. For me, I wanted to hear first-hand how they handled the challenges they encountered. I found zero books with stepmom stories, so I decided to be the first to write one. I interviewed fourteen stepmoms to hear their stories. Meeting with those women and hearing about their struggles and successes was so therapeutic. Knowing we are not alone can bring such comfort. I think of my book as a stepmom support group in writing.
“Stepping into a New Role, Stories from Stepmoms” is a collection of real-life stories from real stepmoms. It is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but the best price is on the 4RV Publisher’s website.
Here are the links to purchase:
http://4rv-publishing-llc.mypreview.site/shawn-simon.html
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stepping-into-a-new-role-shawn-simon/1136816236?ean=9781940310954
Shawn’s Social Media Links:
Website: Stepmomshawn.com
Facebook – Stepmom Shawn Simon Says
Instagram: Shawncranesimon
Twitter: @ShawnSimon44
Author Bio:
Shawn Simon, MA, is a Board Certified Educational Therapist who works with children. Therefore, when she met the man of her dreams, who just happened to come with a couple of kids, she thought being a stepmom would be a breeze. She was wrong. However, as someone born with only one arm, she’s learned to overcome obstacles. Thus, she knew she could face the challenges of step-mothering. Shawn is published in the Association of Educational Therapists’ Journal and is an award-winning inspirational speaker in her field. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two step-kids, three rescue dogs, and one sixteen-year-old cat. Shawn is currently at work on more books for stepfamilies.
Blessings,
Yvonne M Morgan, author, blogger, speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc
Additional Resources:
Very interesting. I am not a step mom, but I know several step moms.
Thanks Melissa. I do also so thought it would help some stepmoms out there. Stay safe and God bless.
Thank you for commenting. I’m glad you find the book interesting and that you know several stepmoms. Please refer them to my links. Hopefully, they will find it interesting as well. 🙂 Many of us go into the role having no idea how hard it will be. My hope is to get more people talking openly about the challenges of step parenting. Stay safe and healthy!
Beautiful! Will check out this book, as I am stepping into the step mom role in the very near future. Lots to learn!
I hope you find it helpful. Thanks Candice. Hope you are feeling better. Stay safe and God bless.
Thank you, Candice, for checking out my book. I hope it sounds like something that might help you on your journey as a new stepmom. For me, the role was not nearly as easy as I assumed it would be. In fact, the cover references one of my stories from the book in the chapter “All Kinds of Jealousy.” I will tell you that, yes, it took time, but I absolutely adore my stepdaughter now. (Even though she spit on my dog! Lol) I wish you lots of love and happiness in your new life!
Looks like a great read and a practical help!
I think so too. Thanks Nancy. Stay safe and God bless.
Thank you, Nancy! That’s exactly what I hope my book is –– a practical read that is also entertaining. 🙂
Sounds like your book fills a need that definitely needs filled. More women find themselves in this role than ever before in the past, and there are many challenges, as you mention in your opening. I hope your sales go well as many stepmoms find themselves at home with their stepchildren. God bless!
Thanks Melinda. Stay safe and God bless.
Melinda, I found myself thinking the same thing about stepmoms sheltering at home with stepkids they may not have close relationships with. Reading supportive, encouraging stories from other stepmoms could be helpful at this time. 🙂 I know I would have benefited from a book like mine way back when I was starting out as a stepmom. Given how many stepmoms there are, I’m surprised there isn’t more support available. As you noted, it’s a growing number. Thank you for commenting and for hoping my sales go well. I sure hope so, too! 🙂 Stay safe!
Moms always need support and encouragement and I am sure being a stepmom brings with it unique challenges. So happy you are extending a lifeline to other stepmoms through your writing. Praying it will be a blessing to all!
Thanks Melissa. Stay safe and God bless.
Melissa, I like the way you put that — a lifeline! That’s a perfect way to describe these stories. They are a lifeline of encouragement and support. It’s so important to know we are not alone in our struggles. Such comfort comes from hearing others’ similar stories. Thank you for commenting and for your blessings. Stay safe!
Yvonne, thanks for introducing us to Shawn and her book. Shawn, this sounds like such a needed book! I never thought about how there are no books out there for stepmoms. My parents divorced when I was little. So I had several stepdads and a stepmom. And nothing is easy about it for the step-parent or the kids. I will pass this along to my friends who are stepmoms.
Thanks Karen. Stay safe and God bless.
Thanks, Karen! There really were no books for stepmoms that just shared stories from personal experiences, and that was what I wanted to read. When I met other stepmoms who shared their stories, I thought, “Hmm… Maybe I’ll write the kind of book I’d enjoy reading.” 🙂 Much like you, my parents divorced when I was young, only I’m the opposite in that I’ve had one stepdad and several stepmoms. Lol Honestly, it seemed like my dad had a new girlfriend every time I visited. That was hard on me. I’d get attached over the weekend, only to never see her again. :/ I so appreciate you sharing this post with your stepmom friends. I hope they’ll find the stories encouraging and supportive. Stay safe!
This is such an important subject! I know a lot of step moms, and it is often a topic that is overlooked, especially in Christian circles. May God bless the sale of the book!
Thanks Lisa. Stay safe and God bless
Thank you, Lisa! I completely agree that this topic is often overlooked. My hope is to bring more awareness to the blended family and to get people talking openly about the challenges, rather than avoiding it. I appreciate you commenting! Stay safe!
It sounds like God had a great many lessons for you to learn! Thanks for sharing your story with those who need to hear it!
Thanks Emily. Stay safe and God bless
Emily, you are absolutely correct. God did have many lessons for me to learn. 🙂 But I fully believe that God does not give us anything we can’t handle. One lesson I needed to learn was that I can’t control everything. Lol I learned to let go and give it up to God. Quite the challenge, but such an important lesson for me. I truly hope the stories in my book from my experiences and from all the women I interviewed will help so many other stepmoms out there. Thank you for commenting and stay safe!
This is great! I am a blessed stepmom of two, plus a mom to two biological kids, and there is such beauty in this role. I strive to exemplify the kind of stepmom Jesus would want me to be so other stepmoms have a positive example to follow!
Thanks Jessica. I pray for the Lord to strengthen you for these roles. Stay safe and God bless.
Thank you, Jessica, for commenting. I enjoy hearing from other stepmoms. And I appreciate your approach to being a stepmom, always keeping in mind what Jesus would want. As humans, it’s important to always strive to be our best. 🙂
IT’S A DELIGHT TO SEE THE PUBLISHED WORK OF SHAWN!