If you've been on my blog before you know that I am a celebrity/popular culture junkie. Since November, I've been following the Sandra Bullock saga (who hasn't?) and writing about it here, on Psychology Today and The Huffington Post. So, Sandra's now a mother and an ex-stepmother-to-be. What does it matter? Hope you'll check out my latest article on Psychology Today — and leave a comment!

Please check out my latest post on psychologytoday.com about the custody battle between Sandra Bullock, Jesse James, and his ex Janine Lindemulder

November 16th is National Stepfamily Day. And women with stepchildren are the lynchpin of the stepfamily system — research tells us that stepmother is the most challenged and stressed stepfamily member with the most complicated adjustment process.

When I first discovered the work of Karen Piovaty nine years ago, I was thrilled — and a little scandalized. It was as if someone had finally had the nerve to express all the frightening, taboo thoughts I couldn't even admit to myself. Karen's take on stepmothering is provocative, but never merely so; it is also thoughtful social commentary and a sophisticated riff on families, stepparenting, and stereotypes. Karen's "marriage" of visuals and text unsettles, amuses, and reveals.

You can hear the podcast of my WNYC interview on the Brian Lehrer show by going to www.wnyc.org, then clicking on Brian Lehrer, then going to his podcasts.