No One's the Bitch: A Ten-Step Plan for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship [Paperback]

Jennifer Newcomb Marine (Author), Carol Marine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Whether you just want to create a neutral, “business” partnership with the “other woman” in your life—or actually, gulp, become friends—they show you how to reach your goal through ten powerful steps.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A really interesting walkthrough; a ten-step plan that’s well thought-out and experience-based...a giant step in resolving this problem"

- Dr. Phil McGraw, on "The Dr. Phil Show" / December 1, 2009

 

“Bitch is a worthy, energetic workbook . . . Chatty and funny, it provides useful ideas (e.g., make small offerings) and sound how-to (e.g., greet each other when the kids swap houses).” - Library Journal

"These straight-shooting, truth-talking, soul-baring women have their priorities right: When mom and stepmom are on the same page everyone wins, most especially the kids! If more parents could do as authors Jennifer and Carol have done, our courts would be far emptier, our kids would be far healthier and and all of our futures would be brighter!"- Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D., www.healthyparent.com, author of Keeping Kids Out Of The Middle

"Finally! A must-read user's guide for every woman involved in a stepmother/ex-wife relationship. With humor, insight, and unflinching honesty, Jennifer and Carol take you through the process of making one of the the trickiest relationships in our culture infinitely easier. Leave the snarking behind!  This book will give you the tools to move on and glory in some newfound possibilities."--Katherine Shirek Doughtie, author of Aphrodite in Jeans: Adventure Tales about Men, Midlife, and Motherhood

From the Back Cover

A down-to-earth guide for mothers and stepmothers struggling to get along

 

“These straight-shooting, truth-talking, soul-baring women have their priorities right: When mom and stepmom are on the same page everyone wins, most especially the kids! If more parents could do as authors Jennifer and Carol have done, our courts would be far emptier, our kids would be far healthier, and all of our futures would be brighter!”
—Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D., author of Keeping Kids Out of the Middle

In No One’s the Bitch, ex-wife/stepmother team extraordinaire Jennifer Newcomb Marine and Carol Marine take you for a straight-talking, hand-holding walk through what is typically a very lonely minefield. Whether you just want to create a neutral, “business” partnership with the “other woman” in your life—or actually, gulp, become friends—they show you how to reach your goal through ten powerful steps.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: GPP Life; First edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762750936
• ISBN-13: 978-0762750931
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Stepparenting & Blended Families

More About the Author

Jennifer Newcomb Marine, (the mom, left) is a freelance writer, editor and nonfiction book consultant. She's an avid traveler (especially with her two teenage daughters), rock climber, and rower. She's also an honorary aunt to Carol and David's young son.

Carol Marine (the stepmom, right) is a successful fine artist whose work has been featured in national and local publications, as well as a variety of galleries. She's a passionate photographer, outdoor enthusiast, and is the mother of a very active four year-old son and stepmother to two teenage girls.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST Read for every woman in a mom / step mom relationship, May 6, 2009

By 

Peggy Nolan "Tool Box Girl" (Derry, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No One's the Bitch: A Ten-Step Plan for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship (Paperback)

How I Spent My Lunch Hour (ok, Two Hours!)

I started reading this at lunch and read through another hour of "work" time I'm blown away. These two ladies have written a fabulous book that is solely focused on the relationship between the mom and the step mom.

In between the humor, the journal exercises, and the short quizzes is a book that will hit nearly every woman who's in a mom/step mom relationship right between the eyes. I know it did for me. A loving mental dope slap!

I was blessed to fall into a decent relationship with my husband's ex-wife and her family. It doesn't mean it's been a bed of roses. Fortunately, she and I can come together, put the kids first (and the kids are adults except for my youngest step son, who just turned 17), and do the right thing. Even with our great relationship, this book has given me my own a-ha moments!

Owning My Own Crap (I loved this chapter!)

I'm usually pretty good about owning my own stuff...and when the authors talked about this I realized that I'm still trying "look good" as a step mom. I've agonized over this because of my own self-imposed microscope and this silly false belief that my husband's ex-wife's family (ok, really, they're his family, too...long story...stay tuned) are watching me. Can someone pass the pin to pop my ego? No one is watching me!

Another thing that just made me cringe inside is how critical I've been towards my step kids' mom. At one time or another (even now) I can say "yes" to each critical statement Jennifer and Carol listed in their quiz "The Joy of Being Judgemental." I daresay, I have more WORK to do on myself!

Standing Ovation to Jennifer Newcomb Marine and Carol Marine - I believe you ladies have hit a Grand Slam!

I'm recommending this to every step mom I know and don't know!

Peggy Nolan, http://thestepmomstoolbox.com and creator of "The Mother's Day Dare" Project

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author of Stepmonster finds this book Fascinating, October 28, 2009

By 

Wednesday Martin - See all my reviews

This review is from: No One's the Bitch: A Ten-Step Plan for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship (Paperback)

The issue of just how close the Ex and the "new" wife "ought" to be is a hot topic at the moment. Jennifer Newcomb Marine and her ex-husband's wife Carol Marine don't just talk the talk; they provide a helpful, readable, and informative roadmap for navigating what is often a highly-charged, contentious relationship. No One's the Bitch bravely explores the powerful feelings--competition, betrayal, jealousy, mistrust--that can vex the relationship between ex wives and wives, mothers and stepmothers. With honesty and humor, the authors offer exercises, tips, and advice that can help women in linked households form working partnerships, making life and transitions easier for the kids and themselves. It's a worthy goal, and depending on your circumstances and your energy for the task, this is a book that can take you there with grace, helping you gain not only a sense of control, but that most invaluable and elusive thing for those affected by divorce and remarriage--peace of mind--as well.
Wednesday Martin, Ph.D.
author, Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel and Act the Way We Do
[...]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for any Step-mom or Bio-mom, August 21, 2009

By 

Jenna Korf - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No One's the Bitch: A Ten-Step Plan for the Mother and Stepmother Relationship (Paperback)

Are you a step-mom and think your husband's ex wife is crazy? Reading this book may give you some insight into the insecurities she's feeling about having a woman she doesn't know start raising her children. It may open up a whole new world that you couldn't have imagined. Are you a bio-mom and think your ex-husband's new wife is trying to take over the family? Maybe it would help you to understand what she's feeling. To see what it's like from her standpoint, coming into a new family where she is a complete outsider. This book does an amazing job at being honest and open from both the step-mom's side and the bio-moms side. It's a must-read for all involved. The children's emotional health is too important to let our insecurities and anger issues get in the way of acting like humane, decent individuals. Definitely a 5-star book!