Get a Whole Life on FM 107.1

From Career Gal to Stepmom

Featuring: Jacquelyn B. Fletcher

You’re a single woman with a successful career, a groovy social life and a cool pad of your own. And then along comes Mr. Right. Except that he’s also Mr. Divorced — with one or more kids in tow. And you’re about to go from being an established, independent career gal to becoming a brand new wife and stepmom. Eek!

It’s a role change that can be daunting, but it’s also doable — if you have the right guidance, support and savvy from someone who has been there before you.

That’s the whole idea behind Jacquelyn B. Fletcher’s hugely helpful and hopeful new book: A Career Girl's Guide to Becoming a Stepmom: Expert Advice From Other Stepmoms on How to Juggle Your Job, Your Marriage, and Your New Stepkids. In addition to offering perspective on a underreported trend (millions of successful, single career women marrying later in life to divorced men who already have kids), Fletcher’s book helps resolve all kinds of burning questions including: Will I have to sacrifice my career?? How do I build a strong relationship when there are kids around?? Will I have any privacy?? How do I deal with the ex when she’s also mommy??

In this episode of Get a Whole Life, Pilar talks with Jacque about her new book, the phenomenon, and the first-hand experience that inspired this recent work. Jacque offers up clear-eyed, compassionate (and often funny) wisdom on how smart women can survive and even thrive in this challenging relational context.

Jacquelyn B. Fletcher is a journalist, a novelist, a stepdaughter and stepmother of three. She teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center and writes for Daughters (www.daughters.com). Learn more at www.becomingastepmom.com.

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