EP 76: You Can't Force It: What Research Says About Teen Stepkids with Dr. Todd Jensen

In this episode of Stepmomming Made Easy, I sit down with Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW to unpack what research really says about building strong stepfamily relationships—especially when pre-teen and teen stepchildren are involved. We talk about why authenticity matters more than perfection, why discipline may not be your domain, and how to create connection without forcing it. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up as your true self and still build meaningful relationships with your stepkids, this episode offers validation and science-backed guidance you can use right away.Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW is the Gary Stuck Faculty Scholar in Education and an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science in the School of Education and a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His scholarship focuses on understanding how to leverage youths’ connection to stepparents as a unique developmental asset and identifying factors that promote high-quality stepparent-child relationships, particularly those involving adolescent children.Links Mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/drtoddjensen/https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddjensenphd/Research Article: https://doi.org/10.1080/28375300.2025.2530241Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happierLet’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/stepmom-support-coaching/Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasyGrab your free ticket for StepmomCon now, and mark your calendars for April 22-24! https://stepmomcon.com/