The [Bonus] Mom Chronicles
Being a parent is hard enough as it is...but being a parent to a child you don't have any biological connection with is another journey. Follow Melissa and Shay on their adventure to becoming wives and bonus mamas! Our way to motherhood may not have been conventional as we aren't moms by blood, but by love! We want to change the way the word step-parent is perceived and how motherhood comes in all shapes and forms! Coming into a relationship that involves children isn't easy and we hope we can be a resource for YOU!
Episodes
22 episodes
Handling Behavior Issues...
Melissa and Shay talk about behavior issues they have seen with their boys and how they handle the situation. As bonus parents sometimes we set higher expectations for ourselves and for the kids. Listen to this episode to see how Melissa and Sh...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:04:47
Oh Baby Baby...
Shay welcomes her new baby! Shay and Melissa talk about what life has been like since welcoming her baby girl to the world. Shay shares what the transition has been like bringing baby girl home to E and life with a newborn! Listen to hear how b...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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59:32
Do You Experience (Bonus) Mom Guilt?
Melissa and Shay talk about their feelings when it comes to mom guilt...and the different types of mom guilt they face. As bonus parents we feel as though we always have to be on top of things twice as much....but don't all parents feel that wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:06:59
A Veteran Stepmom
Melissa and Shay talk to Gina Lopez a veteran stepmom who shares all her wisdom and advice with them. Gina is married to former baseball player Javy Lopez and shares her story of becoming not only a baseball wife but a stepmom and then bio mom ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:03:22
This is Halloween...
Melissa and Shay talk about their family Halloween traditions and what it's like splitting and sharing the holiday! Listen to this episode to see how they plan on celebrating this year and how they plan to celebrate Halloween in the future! ***...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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48:03
Aloha From Hawaii
Shay, Dave and E went to visit Melissa, Colby and O this past summer. This episode talks about the amazing time they all had together and the incredible bond the boys formed. ***Disclaimer: Melissa and Shay are not professionally tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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29:04
The Moms Are Back!
Welcome to season 2 of the Second Wife Life! We have some big updates for you so tune in to find out what Melissa and Shay have been up to and get a quick glimpse on what life has been like for them! ***Disclaimer: Melissa and Shay are no...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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40:03
Living In A Boys World...
We're back! After a little hiatus we are back with some fun announcements and even more special guests! Check out this episode with our two most special guests of all!
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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22:48
Wedding Bliss!
Melissa and Shay talk about their weddings and how they incorporated the boys into their special days. Melissa also talks about the COVID struggles she endured while planning her wedding! ***Disclaimer: Melissa and Shay are not profession...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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49:35
Fairy Grandmothers
In this episode Melissa and Shay talk about relationships on the maternal side of the family. Melissa and Shay are both lucky enough to have great relationships with the maternal grandmother and talk about the importance of creating that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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34:07
A Year in the Life of COVID
Melissa and Shay dive into the past year of the COVID pandemic that changed the world. We talk the lifestyle change that drastically changed everyone when COVID hit and we all had to live, work, school, etc all at home. ***Disclaimer:&nbs...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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46:45
Discipline Struggles
Melissa and Shay talk about when they felt comfortable enough to discipline their bonus sons. They also discuss what it's liking working with Dave and Colby when it's time to step in and discipline. It's not always easy stepping into a role to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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44:24
That Moment They Call You Mom...
Melissa and Shay have mentioned before that the boys have both referred to them as 'Mom'. Hear their stories of when that moment happened and how they handled the situation. Are you comfortable being called 'Mom'? Hear their experiences and wha...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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35:10
Surrogacy Journey!
Vanessa is back with us talking about her newest adventure of being a surrogate! Join us in this episode to hear how her journey began and what's to look forward to! Follow her journey on instagram OneWombApartment and her blog https://onewomba...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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16:29
A Bio Mom's Perspective
Melissa and Shay welcome their friend Vanessa who gives a great insight on what it's like to be a bio mom with full custody of two kids and integrating a new life as a single mom but also introducing a new boyfriend into her crazy life! Vanessa...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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57:01
Meeting the Bio Moms
Melissa and Shay discuss their experiences meeting the bio moms for the first time. We're you nervous when you first met the bio parent? Or are you about to meet the bio parent for the first time? Hear about their stories and how they felt duri...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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46:04
School Pressures
Melissa and Shay discuss what it's like integrating yourself into the school and extra curricular world. Most the time a bonus parent gets lost in the shuffle so how do you fit in? They also discuss the school dynamic and what it's like for the...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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48:11
A Dad's Life...
In this episode Melissa and Shay bring on two very special guests....Colby and Dave! The boys discuss what it was like dating again with a child, what it was like for them to introduce Melissa and Shay to E and O and integrating life as a famil...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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42:42
When Is It Time to Meet Your Parents?
Happy New Year! In this episode Melissa and Shay talk about what it was like telling their families about dating someone that's a parent! Telling your family about a potential new partner is always scary it's even more scary when you're telling...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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49:42
Coping Through The Holidays
Melissa and Shay catch up on how their holidays went with their families! They also discuss how to share custody on holidays, incorporating all the different families, and how to make each holiday memorable for your family! **Disclaimer: ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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33:17
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
This week Shay and Melissa talk about the importance of respecting your partner's life before you and how to integrate yourself into that family dynamic. The start of dating someone with a kid can be intimidating but remember the child always c...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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59:40
A Glimpse Into the Second Wife Life
Shay and Melissa have been best friends since college. Little did they know 11 years ago that they both would marry men with children from previous marriages and would be automatic bonus moms to two amazing little boys! Here's a glimpse into th...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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38:50