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Posts by author

Laura Petherbridge

16 posts
bio-petherbridgeLaura Petherbridge serves couples and single adults with topics on spiritual growth, relationships, stepfamilies, co-parenting, single parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She is an international speaker and author of four books including, When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”—Practical Steps for Healing During Separation and Divorce, and The Smart Stepmom, co-authored with stepfamily expert Ron Deal and endorsed by Gary Chapman (Five Love Languages), 101Tips for The Smart Stepmom—Expert Advice from One Stepmom to Another and Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul-a devotional. Read more at  TheSmartStepmom.com and laurapetherbridge.com. See Laura's Books
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  • 5 min
  • Married Life

When Your Husband’s Former Spouse Dies

  • 5 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
There are often seasons in a stepmom’s life when she wishes her husband’s ex would move far, far away. Or, dare I say it—permanently disappear. But when that day actually…
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  • 4 min
  • Married Life

When You’re Angry for Your Husband

  • 4 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
“Lately, my husband cries a lot,” my friend Debbie shared. “He’s distraught about how his kids have to deal with so much turmoil and stress living in two homes. My…
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  • 5 min
  • Bible Verses for Marriage

Why Can’t I Say No?

  • 5 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
Several years into my second marriage, I discovered that some of my marital problems had nothing to do with my husband, Steve, or his kids. I had dragged colossal emotional…
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  • 3 min
  • Pre-Marriage

Are You Dating an Abuser?

  • 3 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
“My fiancé is jealous. He gets furious when I won’t dump my friends and spend all my free time with him,” the weeping woman shared with me. “I was so…
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  • 4 min
  • Marriage Help

Overcoming My Big Mouth!

  • 4 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
Territory For the first time in six weeks, I was grateful to have a broken ankle. It gave my husband and me the perfect excuse to bow out of the Learn-to-trust-your–spouse-by–bungee-jumping exercise offered…
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  • 4 min
  • Bible Verses for Marriage

What I Wish the Church Knew About Divorce

  • 4 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
Thirty-one years ago, I got divorced. I’ve lived 59 years, and without a doubt, divorce was the worst season of my life. Nothing I’ve suffered since that time even comes…
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Mending Your Marriage
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  • 6 min
  • Bible Verses for Marriage

Why Relationships Fail

  • 6 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
After more than twenty-five years in divorce recovery ministry, I’ve watched more marriages disintegrate than I can count. Why do these relationships fail? Listening to people who are getting divorced…
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children and marriage
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  • 3 min
  • Bible Verses for Marriage

My Stepchild Hates Me!

  • 3 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
During a recent life coaching session, a stepmom shared, “I’m at a loss over what to do with my eight-year-old stepdaughter. She’s made it clear she wants nothing to do…
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Stepmom
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  • 8 min
  • Married Life

Stepmom Comebacks

  • 8 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
If someone’s never experienced life in a stepfamily, it’s hard to comprehend the vast complexities in the stepfamily structure, the difficulties of parenting between two homes, and the time it…
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Christmas Holidays
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  • 3 min
  • Married Life

Handling the Holidays During Grief or Loss

  • 3 minute read
  • Laura Petherbridge
Practical tips to share.
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