Moms and stepmoms can often feel conflicted about their relationships with each other. While it’s essential for them to have healthy and open conversations, it can be difficult and sometimes awkward. Stepmoms and birth mothers rarely get to say the things they really want to say to each other because they don’t know what the other person will say or how they’ll react. Welcome to another lively episode with your hosts, Meridith and Alyss. In today’s episode, we have some fun with the internet to give candid reactions to the things birth mothers and stepmoms want to say to each other but don’t. Additionally, we talk about why moms may opt to communicate with stepmoms through dad and how communicating through dad may alter the intended message. Tune in! Connect with us: IG: @_momvmom_ IG: @_theemerii IG: @mommybymarriage  Have a scenario that's been interesting with mom or stepmom or wonder what we would do in our case? We want to hear your stories too!  Email us: [email protected] You could also leave us a voice message - either way we'd love to hear from you! Please rate, review and share our podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mom-v-mom/message

Since blended families are becoming more and more common we hear more about stigmas and consequences like baby mama drama coming into play. Both moms and stepmoms have had different perspectives on baby mama drama, but it’s easy to get caught up in the drama irrespective of the point of view. Therefore, it is important to find ways to minimize it to keep everyone happy. As you tune in to another amazing episode with your hosts, Meridith and Alyss, we tie in a relatable scenario from one of our favorite shows Insecure while sharing the importance of communication and working towards what’s healthiest for you and the situation you find yourself in, how to minimize drama and incorporate all parties involved as needed, when needed, if need. Connect with us: IG: @_momvmom_ IG: @_theemerii IG: @mommybymarriage  Have a scenario that's been interesting with mom or stepmom or wonder what we would do in our case? We want to hear your stories too!  Email us: [email protected] You could also leave us a voice message - either way we'd love to hear from you! Please rate, review and share our podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mom-v-mom/message

Along Alyss' journey as a stepmother, she has come across a plethora of "terms", acronyms or labels that have evolved from the blending of families overtime to identify and navigate the environment. For the most part labels describe who you are and how you feel about one other in the family dynamic. In this episode, Meridith and Alyss take some time to dissect a couple of the terms to make sense of it, if they can. They get into a few they feel are a little controversial or conflicting for them, Bio mom, HCBM (High-conflict bio mom), bonus mom and blended. Tune in!  Below are a handful of terms (yes, there's more) we've come across, let us know if you think any of these are useful, helpful or just plain unnecessary... BD = Bio dad or bio daughter, depending on context BS / DS = Biological Son or Dear/darling/direct son BM = Biological mom /Baby Mom DD = Dear/darling/direct daughter (this is sometimes used instead of BD) DF = Dear/darling fiancé DH = Dear/darling husband DW = Dear/darling wife FH/FW = Future husband/wife HC = High conflict HCBD = High-conflict biological dad HCBM = High-conflict biological mom OH = Other half SD = Stepdad or stepdaughter, depending on context SF = Stepfather SK = Stepkid(s) SM = Stepmom SO = Significant other SS = Stepson Connect with us: IG: @_momvmom_ IG: @_theemerii IG: @mommybymarriage  Have a scenario that's been interesting with mom or stepmom or wonder what we would do in our case? We want to hear your stories too!  Email us: [email protected] You could also leave us a voice message - either way we'd love to hear from you! Please rate, review and share our podcast! **Exclusive for Spotify Users** Check out the poll or question for feedback and entertainment during the first week of each episode's release! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mom-v-mom/message

Growing up we were told, "first comes love, then comes marriage, then there's a baby in the baby carriage", right? Well sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation where there may be a few other factors, rather people involved and our family doesn't quite look like we dreamed about. Joining a “ready made” family or letting a man join yours calls for a lot understanding and consideration. You have to constantly make the right decision to move forward with your relationships and create an environment for your new blended family to thrive.  In this episode, Meridith and Alyss share how they began in a blended family (although they both were initially not too keen on the idea), what you may want to consider before getting into someone's life that has a child or dating with your own kid(s) and how you may create the best scenario for you. Tune in!  Connect with us: IG: @_momvmom_ IG: @_theemerii IG: @mommybymarriage  Have a scenario that's been interesting with mom or stepmom or wonder what we would do in our case? We want to hear your stories too!  Email us: [email protected] You could also leave us a voice message - either way we'd love to hear from you!  Please rate, review and share our podcast! **Exclusive for Spotify Users** Check out the poll or question for feedback and entertainment during the first week of each episode's release! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mom-v-mom/message

Navigating motherhood and relationships, especially in a blended family, can be fulfilling and challenging for both moms and stepmoms whose roles are typically pitted against one another. It gets even better when you have a friend you can talk sh* with! Good and not so good sh* that is.  On this introductory episode of Mom V Mom, Meridith and Alyss introduce themselves, how they came to share with the world and why they feel it is necessary to hear from a mom and stepmom who has seen and LIVED that same situation you find yourself in or your homegirl told you about.  There are here to embrace, celebrate and validate who you are as a mother, have fun in the form of laughing instead of crying lol as they provide a unique perspective that you may not have considered.  Connect with us:  IG: @_momvmom_ IG: @_theemerii IG: @mommybymarriage  Have a scenario that's been interesting with mom or stepmom or wonder what we would do in our case? We want to hear your stories too!  Email us: [email protected] You could also leave us a voice message - either way we'd love to hear from you! Please rate, review and share our podcast! **Exclusive for Spotify Users** Check out the poll or question for feedback and entertainment during the first week of each episode's release! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mom-v-mom/message