Did you ever confide in your best girlfriend about some aspect of stepfamily life that was driving you insane — rejecting, rude stepkids come to mind — only to find her looking at you like you were the Wicked Queen from Disney's Snow White? It really, really hurts when a trusted confidante doesn't get where you're coming from — or, even worse, judges you. Jacque Fletcher has taken on the task of writing up just how to be a good and supportive friend to a woman with stepkids. Pass it along to anyone you think needs to know! Also check out the podcast in which Jacque and I dish about what a good girlfriend shouldn't say to her stepmom pal: "Don't take it personally!"

How to be a Stepmom's Friend by Jacque Fletcher:
http://becomingastepmom.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/how-to-be-a-stepmoms-friend/

Stepmom Circles Podcast: Jacque and Wednesday discuss how it makes a stepmom feel to be told "Don't take it personally" by people who have no clue — and how to overcome the frustration of being misunderstood:
http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Browse/playaudio/8065