Michelle Brown
@ponderingnook.bsky.social
Writer/Coffee shop gypsy. Author of "No Little Girl Ever Dreams Of Becoming A Stepmom: A Companion Guide For The Stepmom Journey" https://a.co/d/0xCmYIE.
I am SO grateful to those who purchased my new book in the last few weeks and also to those who left me the glowing reviews! Here's the link if you are a stepmom who is interested in my journey and advice, or you know a stepmom who would love it...xoxo
a.co/d/2x65Z23
a.co/d/2x65Z23
No Little Girl Ever Dreams Of Becoming A Stepmom: A Companion Guide For The Stepmom Journey
Buy No Little Girl Ever Dreams Of Becoming A Stepmom: A Companion Guide For The Stepmom Journey: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com
a.co
April 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I am SO grateful to those who purchased my new book in the last few weeks and also to those who left me the glowing reviews! Here's the link if you are a stepmom who is interested in my journey and advice, or you know a stepmom who would love it...xoxo
a.co/d/2x65Z23
a.co/d/2x65Z23
“There are many of us out here raising children who said a lot of things about what we’d never do….”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting
When Parenthood Doesn't Turn Out Like You Envisioned it...
Take comfort in this.
open.substack.com
April 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“There are many of us out here raising children who said a lot of things about what we’d never do….”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting
“It’s difficult to look back on the unfortunate missteps of our youth and wonder what we were thinking — or if we were even thinking at all.
It’s even more difficult to try to find a silver lining in it all…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
It’s even more difficult to try to find a silver lining in it all…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
I’m Thankful For The Lessons My Abusive Ex Taught Me
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” — B.B. King
open.substack.com
April 23, 2025 at 2:39 AM
“It’s difficult to look back on the unfortunate missteps of our youth and wonder what we were thinking — or if we were even thinking at all.
It’s even more difficult to try to find a silver lining in it all…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
It’s even more difficult to try to find a silver lining in it all…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
Mother's Day & Stepmother's Day are coming up soon. If you're a stepmom, think about gifting yourself and/or a stepmom you know my new inspirational guide. Available on Amazon today! xoxo
#stepmomstrong
www.amazon.com/s?k=no+littl...
#stepmomstrong
www.amazon.com/s?k=no+littl...
Amazon.com : no little girl ever dreams of becoming a stepmom
www.amazon.com
April 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Mother's Day & Stepmother's Day are coming up soon. If you're a stepmom, think about gifting yourself and/or a stepmom you know my new inspirational guide. Available on Amazon today! xoxo
#stepmomstrong
www.amazon.com/s?k=no+littl...
#stepmomstrong
www.amazon.com/s?k=no+littl...
Read the full article at The Pondering Nook on Substack and become a subscriber...https://ponderingnook.substack.com/
#stepmoms #stepmomlife
#stepmoms #stepmomlife
March 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Read the full article at The Pondering Nook on Substack and become a subscriber...https://ponderingnook.substack.com/
#stepmoms #stepmomlife
#stepmoms #stepmomlife
“These are successful women. They are extraordinary. They are innovators, partners, and leaders. But they still struggle with how they look to the world and to themselves standing naked in front of a mirror or even in front of a lover…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
What My Forty-Something Girlfriends Really Think About Their Bodies
Hating your body is a billion-dollar industry.
open.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“These are successful women. They are extraordinary. They are innovators, partners, and leaders. But they still struggle with how they look to the world and to themselves standing naked in front of a mirror or even in front of a lover…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
"Everything I am today I owe to my younger, brasher, uninformed, hopeful, kind, and impulsive self. She made me who I am today, sitting here writing about it. She existed and her mistakes existed..."
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/why-im-pro...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/why-im-pro...
Why I’m Proud To Be Divorced
I’m not hiding in the shadows of divorce shame.
ponderingnook.substack.com
March 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"Everything I am today I owe to my younger, brasher, uninformed, hopeful, kind, and impulsive self. She made me who I am today, sitting here writing about it. She existed and her mistakes existed..."
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/why-im-pro...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/why-im-pro...
“Becoming a step-parent is an often tumultuous journey down a path that can seem endless when you’re searching for answers that you simply don’t have…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting #family #blendedfamilies
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting #family #blendedfamilies
Step-Parents Are Redefining Parenting — One Step At A Time
Raising humans is no joke. Neither is being a step-parent.
open.substack.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“Becoming a step-parent is an often tumultuous journey down a path that can seem endless when you’re searching for answers that you simply don’t have…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting #family #blendedfamilies
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#parenting #family #blendedfamilies
“When you were single or childless you witnessed enough moms and dads in Walmart or Target completely going off on their children and you swore that would never be you..."
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
When Parenthood Doesn't Turn Out Like You Envisioned it...
Take comfort in this.
open.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:51 PM
“When you were single or childless you witnessed enough moms and dads in Walmart or Target completely going off on their children and you swore that would never be you..."
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
“While I think it is true that many people require a lifelong companion because they don’t like being alone, I also think it’s true that two very independent, solitary individuals can come together and build a partnership based on a loving compromise…”
#love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
Marriage Is Just A Piece of Paper — And Other Rumors…
Deconstructing my ‘single-life’ beliefs.
open.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
“While I think it is true that many people require a lifelong companion because they don’t like being alone, I also think it’s true that two very independent, solitary individuals can come together and build a partnership based on a loving compromise…”
#love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
Let's go back into the archives of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast and delve into stories and experiences from stepmoms who are dealing with or who have dealt with high-conflict exes... Subscribe to The Pondering Nook at Substack and take a listen...xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/dissecting...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/dissecting...
"Dissecting The Drama"
In this episode, I discuss "ex-drama." I go over some stories and experiences from stepmoms who are dealing with or who have dealt with high-conflict exes.
ponderingnook.substack.com
February 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Let's go back into the archives of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast and delve into stories and experiences from stepmoms who are dealing with or who have dealt with high-conflict exes... Subscribe to The Pondering Nook at Substack and take a listen...xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/dissecting...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/dissecting...
"I’ve messed up multiple times as a stepmom because I was not able to control myself in my worst moments. No one else is responsible for my words or actions other than me. It’s not my stepchild, my spouse, the other biological parent, or anyone else..."
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/what-my-wo...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/what-my-wo...
What My Worst Stepparenting Moments Have Taught Me
The learning curve is steep.
ponderingnook.substack.com
February 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"I’ve messed up multiple times as a stepmom because I was not able to control myself in my worst moments. No one else is responsible for my words or actions other than me. It’s not my stepchild, my spouse, the other biological parent, or anyone else..."
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/what-my-wo...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/what-my-wo...
As a paid subscriber of The Pondering Nook at Substack, you can read my Weekly Ponderings including this one… Check it out xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Becoming A Stepmom Taught Me How To Love Myself More
I was running on a people-pleasing treadmill set to the highest level.
ponderingnook.substack.com
February 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
As a paid subscriber of The Pondering Nook at Substack, you can read my Weekly Ponderings including this one… Check it out xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
“Bitterness and resentment are roads to nowhere. We all know this. But sometimes, we need to take a walk down those roads and wallow in them for a bit just to feel how pointless those emotions are, just to gather enough strength to turn around…”
#stepparenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#stepparenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
I'm Not A Perfect Stepmom
Just like motherhood, this stepmom thing is a journey of absolute imperfection.
open.substack.com
February 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
“Bitterness and resentment are roads to nowhere. We all know this. But sometimes, we need to take a walk down those roads and wallow in them for a bit just to feel how pointless those emotions are, just to gather enough strength to turn around…”
#stepparenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
#stepparenting
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
“There’s a common misconception out there that stepmothers somehow destroy harmonious relationships or marriages and break up families. Stepmothers often inherit the scattered pieces of an already broken family dynamic…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
3 Assumptions About Stepmoms - That Don't Always Ring True
Assumptions will be made.
open.substack.com
February 9, 2025 at 11:10 PM
“There’s a common misconception out there that stepmothers somehow destroy harmonious relationships or marriages and break up families. Stepmothers often inherit the scattered pieces of an already broken family dynamic…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
Reposted by Michelle Brown
Check out The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, which has close to 150 episodes. Please enjoy this unlocked episode and consider becoming a free subscriber to listen to selected episodes or a paid subscriber to access the entire podcast archive. xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/anger-issu...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/anger-issu...
"Anger Issues"
Welcome to season 8 of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast!
ponderingnook.substack.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Check out The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, which has close to 150 episodes. Please enjoy this unlocked episode and consider becoming a free subscriber to listen to selected episodes or a paid subscriber to access the entire podcast archive. xoxo
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/anger-issu...
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/anger-issu...
"In your 40s, you will know your body better than ever before and it’s likely you now feel quite comfortable walking around the world in your own skin — and for many women — this is unbelievably freeing after spending years upon years shaming and hiding their bodies..."
medium.com/heart-affair...
medium.com/heart-affair...
Older Women Kept Telling Me I Wouldn’t Give a F*ck in My 40s
Here’s what I discovered when I got there.
medium.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"In your 40s, you will know your body better than ever before and it’s likely you now feel quite comfortable walking around the world in your own skin — and for many women — this is unbelievably freeing after spending years upon years shaming and hiding their bodies..."
medium.com/heart-affair...
medium.com/heart-affair...
“I think back to my first marriage and feel the grimace forming on my face. It’s like looking back at a horrific car accident you almost can’t bear to watch but you do it anyway.
What on earth was I thinking??…”
#relationships #love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
What on earth was I thinking??…”
#relationships #love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
My First Marriage Was A Disaster — And I’m Thankful For That
Lessons learned.
open.substack.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“I think back to my first marriage and feel the grimace forming on my face. It’s like looking back at a horrific car accident you almost can’t bear to watch but you do it anyway.
What on earth was I thinking??…”
#relationships #love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
What on earth was I thinking??…”
#relationships #love
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
"You have experienced the pain of not being acknowledged. You have experienced the sting of being forgotten. You have experienced the loneliness of not being included..."
#stepmoms #stepparenting #parenting
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
#stepmoms #stepparenting #parenting
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
This is The Hardest Part of Being A Stepmom
Where can you find gratitude when you’re faced with such adversity?
ponderingnook.substack.com
January 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM
"You have experienced the pain of not being acknowledged. You have experienced the sting of being forgotten. You have experienced the loneliness of not being included..."
#stepmoms #stepparenting #parenting
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
#stepmoms #stepparenting #parenting
ponderingnook.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
“I understand that these pads are made to be ‘removable’ for a reason. To be able to remove them if you want. (By the way — good luck getting them back in the right way after you’ve taken them out!)
However, I’m still curious about the practicality of bra pads…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
However, I’m still curious about the practicality of bra pads…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
Small Breasts, Breast Pads & The Pursuit of Self-Love
To pad or not to pad...?
open.substack.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
“I understand that these pads are made to be ‘removable’ for a reason. To be able to remove them if you want. (By the way — good luck getting them back in the right way after you’ve taken them out!)
However, I’m still curious about the practicality of bra pads…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
However, I’m still curious about the practicality of bra pads…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
“My husband tried to drag me out of my woe with vacations, date nights, and helping out where I needed it — but something was still missing. It was buried deep underneath — way down at my core — and I just needed to access it..”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
I Thought I Was Unhappy In My Marriage — Here’s What I Discovered Instead
There was nothing my husband could do.
open.substack.com
January 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“My husband tried to drag me out of my woe with vacations, date nights, and helping out where I needed it — but something was still missing. It was buried deep underneath — way down at my core — and I just needed to access it..”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
“Learning grace means acknowledging that not everyone is going to do things the way you think they should be done…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
5 Life-Changing Lessons I’ve Learned As A Stepmom
It’s not all about you.
open.substack.com
January 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
“Learning grace means acknowledging that not everyone is going to do things the way you think they should be done…”
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...
open.substack.com/pub/ponderin...