In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Kim Nishida, a stepmom who opens up about what it really felt like to enter an already-formed family — complete with all the love, confusion, and growing pains that come with it.
When Kim met her husband, she’d never been a parent before. Suddenly, she was helping raise two children while building a life with a partner fresh out of divorce. The transition wasn’t easy. There were moments of loneliness, self-doubt, and uncertainty about where she fit in. But over time, and with support, Kim learned how to find her footing and her voice.
Together, we talk about how she moved from “just surviving” to truly belonging, and what that journey looked like.
Here’s what you’ll hear us explore:
The messy, beautiful beginnings of stepfamily life and why feeling like an outsider is so common
How self-care and boundaries helped Kim feel calmer, more confident, and more connected
The ways honest communication with her partner built trust and teamwork
What happens when you stop trying to “fix” everything and start focusing on your own growth
The healing power of community, coaching, and realizing you don’t have to do this alone
Kim’s story is such a powerful reminder that it’s okay to feel unsure in the beginning — what matters is that you keep showing up, with curiosity and compassion.
You don’t have to earn your place — you already belong.
Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re bridges to better connection.
Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s how you refill your cup so you can give from abundance, not exhaustion.
You can rewrite the story of your stepmom experience, one small, intentional step at a time
“When I stopped trying to be perfect and started being real, everything shifted — especially how my stepkids saw me.” — Kim Nishida
If this conversation touched your heart, I’d love to stay in touch:
🌐 Visit me at stepmomcoach.com
📘 Grab your copy of The Stepmom’s Boundary Blueprint: stepmomcoach.com/SMBWorkbook
💌 Get free tools and resources in the Stepmom Resource Library
🎧 Catch more episodes of The Stepmom Wisdom Circle wherever you listen to podcasts
What part of Kim’s story resonated most with you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — come join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook @StepmomCoach, or send me a quick email reply.
Let’s keep learning, growing, and giving ourselves a little more grace along the way.
