Hi everyone! Tonight I chat to Mel about all things step parenting. Mel’s been a stepmum for seven years to her stepson (who’s now 13 and has autism), and she also has two young daughters with her husband. So she’s right in the thick of the juggle.

We talk about how misunderstood stepparents can feel. The “evil stepmum” narrative, the constant second-guessing, and the amount of behind-the-scenes stuff that just… goes unnoticed. School drop-offs, dinners, appointments, emotional support — all the things that make up parenting, but without always being seen as “the parent.”

Mel shares how she’s built a relationship with her stepson over time (especially through his interests), and how much patience that’s taken. We get into the walking on eggshells feeling that can come with discipline, boundaries, and trying to find your place in decis ...