Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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
[...]

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!

Its a great book but only if you can use both sides of it. Unfortunately, my husband's ex-wife suffers from mental illness and no matter how much I "Own My Crap." you can not rationalize with "crazy." Unfortunately, I find myself getting sucked into her world of paranoia and try to rationalize, explain and make sense of her world only to fall on deaf ears. I wish there was a chapter on dealing with a biological mother with mental and social issues.

Instead of perfecting a relationship with my daughters mother, I will perfect a relationship with my daughter.

This book will make you laugh, make you say 'yes I've so been there!' and will even make you cry ... and ultimately change your life as you finally learn to get on with the mom/step mom in your life and make your family the happy, safe place your children/step children so deserve. I can't recommend this book more highly! This is a book that will touch and transform your life. Witty and brilliant writing.

This book offers a practical, straight-talk approach to understanding the complex interpersonal dynamics that often exist between moms and stepmoms. Regardless of how "the other woman" feels or acts, "No One's the Bitch" offers insight and advice on how YOU can move forward and find peace within yourself and your situation. A must read for all stepmoms and moms who want to put an end to the bickering and learn how to build bridges.

This is one of the few books I consistently recommend to parents. Jennifer Newcomb Marine and Carol Marine do a superb job of providing a roadmap to a more peaceful and productive relationship between moms and stepmoms. Their systematic approach to getting real with your own feelings and then moving beyond that to have a harmonious relationship is brilliant. For anyone in a mom-stepmom relationship, PLEASE read this book - for yourself and most importantly, for your kids. Thanks Jen and Carol for showing moms and stepmoms a better way! You are changing the world, one reader at a time!

Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions

Brilliant writing and a refreshingly honest view of reality. Because the divorce rate for second marriages is even higher than for first marriages, it's critical to focus on creating the most harmonious relationship between mom and stepmom. In doing so, everyone benefits. The authors do an excellent job of providing a step-by-step plan and this book is a must-read for all moms and stepmoms. - Sharon Brooks, author of "If Your Parents Divorced, Will You Too?:How to Break the Cycle of Divorce and Create a Successful Relationship of Your Own." <...>

The title catches the eye and summarizes - in most cases - the subject Jennifer and Carol write about. Perfect! The authors did a great job portraying the relationship between an ex-wife and a step-mom with this interactive book. Even though I am not one or the other, I enjoyed reading about the subject and it opened my eyes and expanded my understanding as to the difficulties that occur in such a relationship. When you put the kids first, adults should be able to work out their differences (being adults, right?) and this book helps you achieve this goal. It also gives you new insights about yourself and other people in your situation. I especially liked the personal stories of the authors, juicy details inclusive. The writing style keeps you interested and entertained throughout the book. And, if or when I ever become an ex-wife or step-mom in such a relationship, I will be armed with the right "weapon" to deal with "the other bitch" or let her deal with me! Highly recommended.

I first discovered this book on the authors' website a few months before it hit the shelves. A year after stepping into the role of stepmom, I was in need of advice, guidance, and camaraderie. After reading sample pages and blogs about the book I KNEW it was EXACTLY what I was looking for! I'd read several books about step-parenting, stepmotherhood, the effects of divorce and separation on children, marriage, and the like, but none of my research had given advice on how to develop a healthy relationship with the other woman in my life - the biggest hurdle of all in my opinion! From the journal entries, quizzes, and real-life experiences from Carol and Jennifer, to the recommendations of additional resources, this book is definitely a one-stop shop solutional guide to so many existing and potential issues mothers and stepmothers face! The witty humor and blunt, non-sugar-coated content (that is by no means overly harsh!) is a kick in the pants that's sure to motivate moms and stepmoms alike to join the same team! I recommend this book to any woman who finds herself in need of straight-forward (no BS here!) advice when it comes to this increasingly common dilemna!