607: Cameron Normand: How Mom Culture Totally Misses The Mark For Stepmoms

Cameron Normand is the host of The Stepmom Diaries podcast, co-founder of The Stepmom Summit, and founder and CEO of This Custom Life, where she provides stepmoms with tools and advice to help them embrace their blended family lives. She is a Certified Stepparent Coach, the creator of the BLENDED Family Formula For Stepmom Success, and author of The Stepmom’s Gratitude Journal. Cameron received her BA from the University of South Carolina and her JD from Emory University School of Law. By day, she is a corporate politico in the Washington, D.C. area and serves on several non-profit boards. She was named one of the Washington Business Journal’s, “Women Who Mean Business.” Cameron is known as “Cammie G” to four stepchildren. In her spare time, she loves pop culture, good coffee, spending time with her husband, and trying to achieve that elusive concept of “balance.”  I was so excited to have the opportunity, as I hae been wanting to include stepmoms in our conversations around Shameless Motherhood for some time now. I’m so grateful to Cameron for her openness in this conversation.  Listen in to hear Cameron share: What it was like to become a stepmom to 4 kids, ages 8-14 - the speed bumps, the potholes, and the sinkholes The importance of recognizing that the blended family is born out of loss 1300+ stepfamilies form everyday - why it’s important for us to recognize this as a society The struggle for stepmoms to fit into mom culture The importance of validation, compassion, and empathy for stepmoms Her advice for stepmoms who might be struggling Her BLENDED Family Formula of 7 steps to support stepmoms Common misconceptions about stepmoms and how to reframe them Links mentioned: Join my 2022 Plan & Prep Pajama Party Connect with Cameron  BLENDED Family Formula The Stepmom Diaries Podcast Stepfamily Magazine Insta: @this_custom_life and @stepmomdiariespodcast Cameron on Facebook Facebook group for stepmoms Cameron on Twitter  Thank you to our sponsor: Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices