Customer Reviews

You're Not My Mom: Confessions of a Formerly "Wicked" Stepmother

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Blending families relies on God's grace and guidance and a willingness on each person's part to allow God to work through them. This book is filled with encouragement and hope as you see Kali and Elizabeth struggle on this long journey as individuals with their own ideas of what a "step" relationship should be, and trying to adjust to having each other in their lives. As they allow God to work through them and in their lives, they have grown from not really knowing or understanding each other, to trusting God for the outcome of their journey, which thankfully has become a journey they will share together.

What a blessing this book is and a wonderful resource for anyone in a "step" family relationship. Although my "step" children are grown, this book has pointed out some helpful ways to look at situations I find myself in. I especially liked the sharing from both Kali and Elizabeth on the same event. How insightful this is. This book is an inspiration to me that as we continue to rely on God and the strength that He gives us, all things are possible!

I don't have a blended family but I still found much value in Kali and Elizabeth's book. Not only is it a fascinating story (I couldn't stop reading once I started), it offers insights and encouragement for any parent.

This moving "step by step" journey of a step-mom and step-daughter will have you cheering and crying
with Kali and Elizabeth Schnieders from the moment Kali joins the Schnieders family. With no experience
at being a mom, there is no way Kali could ever predict the difficulties that come with parenting. Add
step-parenting on top of the already huge responsibly of being a mom and you have one confused
Step-mom any parent can relate to. As for Elizabeth, who so wonderfully penned her frustrated thoughts
as a child for us all to read, we see a confused little girl grieving for her mother grow into a lovely young
woman who learns to respect - and even love - Kali. These two women are courageous to share their
deeply personal story and disclose to us the mistakes they have made. They truly have a desire
to warn others, so we might avoid making the same ones in our own family journeys.

I could not put this book down once I got started. I am NOT from a step family, but my mother and I were jealous of each other over my father which created similar scenarios and heated exchanges in my life at home. We did not resolve our differences and I left home at 17. Even though both my parents have since passed on, I felt a healing inside because I have a gained a new understanding how my mother felt during that time.
This is an important book for anyone who came from a difficult family history - blood or step - it won't matter. Gaining a new perspective and realizing there is a better way to handle these issues - that IS what matters - and what this intense read did for me.

My stepson was graduating from college when I married his Dad, so I never really had to experience any of the so-called traumas of stepparenting. However,when I started reading Kali's book (as a friend, I figured I owed her that) I couldn't put it down. Never could I have imagined the poignancy and day-to-day (sometimes moment-to-moment)challenges that being a stepparent presents - both to the parent and the children. Kali's vulnerability is one of the book's best features. You get to see the joy and pain of stepparenting from both perspectives. It's not always a pretty picture, but Kali's faith saw her through this experience to a joyfully happy ending. This book is a must read for all parents, stepparent or not! Dottie Gandy, Allen, TX

I was given this book from a friend in a blended family (as I am) and have enjoyed it ever since. At times I found it frustrating to hear how Elizabeth treated Kali, but it was wonderful to have such honesty in a very hard situation. Being in a blended family has many unique obstacles and any help or encouragment is always needed. I encourage anyone in a blended family to pick up this book and be uplifted. God is awesome in how all things work for good!