Stepping Together
People have a range of beliefs over what a Christian family should look like, but some may be surprised to learn that divorce is almost as common inside the church as it is outside.
Blended families are 36-year-old Goolwa Beach life coach, Jasmine Yow’s specialty – many know
her as the ‘Stepmum Coach.’
Jasmine attends Victor Harbor Baptist Church and when she’s not seeing clients at her home,
you can find her at Little Steps Playgroup on a Wednesday or Messy Church at Victor Harbor
Lutheran Church.
In her work, Jasmine focuses on childless stepmothers and helps support them through the process of adding to their families, as well as the transition that stepchildren must make when a stepbrother or sister is born.
“I am also passionate about how we, as a church, can walk alongside stepmums,” Jasmine said.
Jasmine married 10 years ago, becoming step mum to her now 14-year-old stepson.
“At the time, I felt like I’d done something wrong, it was difficult to relate and I felt lonely at times,” she said. “There was only one Christian friend who I could share my honest struggles with.”
Jasmine explained, “There are a whole heap of challenges that stepmums face.”
There are a whole heap of challenges that stepmums face.
“Rates of depression are much higher among stepmums, they often feel loneliness in family or social networks and don’t really feel understood.”
“They often deal with insecurity, communication challenges, a lack of decision-making power and there are no easy answers.”
For many stepmums, the experience of coming as an outsider and finding a place in an established family unit can be especially difficult.
Thankfully, Jasmine explained, the church community has come a long way – growing in
awareness of the tension that families and communities face.
“Relationships are not easy and it takes deep reflection and courage to heal from childhood wounds to relate well, ” Jasmine said.
Main Photo
Jasmine Yow with her husband and family.