The Washington, DC area is full of amazing moms. There are working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, moms of multiples, foster moms, adoptive moms, etc. We want to highlight some of those moms like Cameron Normand. Each month we will feature one special mom as the Mom of the Month. Know a fellow amazing local mom here? Nominate them here!
Photo Credit: Plume Photography
Meet our May Mom of the Month: Cameron Normand
Cameron Normand is CEO of Stepfamily Solutions and host of The Stepmom Diaries podcast. Through her coaching, courses, magazine and summit, she has helped thousands of stepmoms and stepfamilies navigate their blended family lives. Cameron is a Certified Stepfamily Coach and her work has appeared in The Cut, Business Insider, CNET, and the Today Parenting Team, among others.
Previously, Cameron spent 23 years working in politics first on Capitol Hill, then leading policy strategy in roles at Time Warner (now Warner Bros. Discovery) and Sony Pictures. She is a past President of the Junior League of Washington and currently serves on several non-profit boards. She has also been named one of the Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business.” Cameron received her BA from the University of South Carolina and her JD from Emory University School of Law. Cameron is married to an Army veteran and has four stepchildren, a feisty cat, and an energetic puppy.
Here is our Q&A with Cameron Normand
1. Tell us about your experience and how you started Stepfamily Solutions.
As a stepdaughter since age 8, I thought I knew what to expect when I became a stepmom to four, one with special needs. But I realized very quickly that the “instant” family I joined came with a lot of unexpected dynamics. And when I looked around for resources, I couldn’t find anything that felt like it applied to my situation. So I embarked on a mission to pull together the best resources to navigate my situation and realized along the way that there were a lot of women out there like me who were struggling. I created my business to help them – and it’s evolved to now offer courses and resources, a podcast, an online magazine, a summit, a retreat, a membership, and much more.
2. How can other Moms/people support Stepparents?
Sadly, the old trope around the “evil stepmom,” still exists and there are a lot of unfortunate stereotypes and assumptions. The thing that moms and others can do the most of is to just exercise kindness and empathy. Most stepmoms are just trying to do the best they can to be the best partner and stepmom they can be, even when the circumstances are hard. It can be as simple as saying “hi” to them at school or sporting events. Especially if they’re a new stepmom, they may be feeling a little insecure and uncertain, and a friendly face can really make the difference.
3. What has been the most rewarding part of serving as a Stepmom?
There’s so much! Being a stepmom has not been all roses and unicorns because stepfamilies are just complicated – and we still have some relationship challenges. But I love them all so much and I have truly cherished having the chance to be a part of their lives and build memories together. To go on the journey, along with my husband, through their elementary and teen years (and beyond) has brought me more joy than I ever could have imagined.
Do you know an amazing mom like Cameron Normand to feature as a Mom of the Month? Nominate them here!
