This book is a long-awaited definitive instruction manual for the most difficult role you never imagined having, and couldn't possibly prepare for--being a Stepmom. Cathryn Bond Doyle became a stepmother in 1996. Cathryn has developed specific techniques and insights to help stepmothers handle the stress and relationship challenges that may arise with their families. In addition to learning from her own journey, she has worked with thousands of stepmothers, through her support group at smoms.org (which she founded in 2000), to build this collection of proven and practical approaches and tools. Cathryn shows you how to recognize, compassionately acknowledge and understand your own reactions to potentially upsetting stepfamily situations, resist the urge to over-give, resolve your resentments, strengthen your relationship skills, build your connections with your partner and stepkids, and deal with any difficulties that may crop up if the bio-mom of your stepkids is neither kind nor civil. The Table of Contents is designed as your guide to getting specific info on a wide spectrum of common stepmothering "dilemmas." The chapters are written to stand alone in support of each topic so you can get right to the answers most important for you and your situation. Additionally, there are thirty-one proactive tips included to help you and your partner improve daily stepfamily life and so much more. Peppered throughout the forty-one chapters of the book are stories from twenty veteran stepmothers. They share their personal challenges and how they've handled them through working with Cathryn and using her strategies. They each describe how they've become more savvy, confident and self-aware women as a result. These women join Cathryn as Stepmoms on a Mission (SMOMS) and all believe-wholeheartedly-that any woman in the role of stepmother can benefit from this book and the hard-earned wisdom it imparts.