Who Am I as a Second Mom? Finding Biblical Identity in Adoptive & Blended Families

Who Am I as a Second Mom?

If you’ve ever stared at the mirror after putting the kids to bed and thought, “Who am I anymore in this family?” you’re not alone.

Many women who step into a parenting role through marriage or adoption start to feel almost invisible, like a placeholder rather than a person with purpose. The truth? 

God didn’t create you to be a “fill‑in” – He created you to be a fully‑lived, identity‑rooted woman.  

Real Talk: Your worth isn’t measured by how many meals you’ve cooked or how many bedtime stories you’ve told. It’s anchored in Christ.

The Biblical Foundation

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…”

When Paul writes this, he isn’t talking about a career change or a new hobby. He’s describing a radical, God‑initiated identity shift. The moment you accept Christ, you become a “new creation”—a person whose primary identity is “child of God” and “wife of Christ.”
That identity doesn’t evaporate when you become a mom or even "second mom" in a blended or adoptive family. It covers you, informs your decisions, and protects you from the inevitable insecurity that crops up when spouses or children push back.

Common Misconceptions (And Why They’re Wrong)

MisconceptionReality
I’m just a “substitute” parent.You are a primary spiritual influence. The children will remember the love you model more than the biology.
My role is only logistical.Parenting is relational and spiritual. Your prayers, values, and emotional presence shape the family’s trajectory.
If my kids or husband don’t acknowledge me, I’m failing.Your validation comes first from God, not from human applause. The Bible never says you must earn love; you extend it.


Quick Self‑Assessment: “Who Am I?” Worksheet

Download the free PDF here: 

How to use it:
  1. Set aside 15 minutes—no distractions, no multitasking.
  2. Answer each prompt honestly; treat it like a prayer journal, not a test.
  3. Highlight any statements that feel “true in Christ” versus those that feel “world‑shaped.”
  4. Bring the top three “truths” to your next coaching session (or write them on a sticky note for daily reminder).
Sample prompts (feel free to customize):
  • “I am a mother because God says so, not because I have a birth certificate.”
  • “My worth is measured by Christ’s love for me, not by how smoothly my family runs.”
  • “I have the authority to set Godly boundaries that protect my heart and my children’s well‑being.”

Three Practical Steps to Claim Your Identity Today

  1. Declare Your Primary Identity
    Every morning, say aloud: “I am a beloved daughter of God, a wife of Christ, and a mother called to steward this family.” Speak it until it stops sounding foreign.
  2. Anchor Your Day in Scripture
    Pick one verse that speaks to identity (e.g., Eph 1:4, 1 Pet 2:9). Write it on a whiteboard or phone wallpaper. When the family chaos spikes, glance at it and remember who you are before you react.
  3. Set an “Identity‑Protection” Boundary
    Identify one situation that routinely chips your confidence (e.g., a spouse dismissing your suggestion; a child rejecting your affection). Decide on a concrete response: “I will pause, repeat my request calmly, and if dismissed, I will step away for five minutes to pray;”  “My value isn’t determined by their acceptance; I am chosen and dearly loved by God; I will spend time with him and loving others he has given me.” Practice it this week.

This Could Be You…

“I used to feel like a guest in my own home. After I reclaimed my identity in Christ and began setting personal boundaries  about how I want to communicate, the tension dropped dramatically. I still have communication breakdowns, but I now know who I am even when I'm mischaracterized.”anonymous adoptive mom

Ready for a Deeper Transformation?

If you’re tired of surface‑level advice and want a step‑by‑step, biblically‑grounded roadmap that takes you from “who am I?” to “who God says I am,” the Anchored program is built for you with twelve weeks of one-on-one private coaching.
👉 [Join the waitlist for Anchored now](https://example.com/anchored-waitlist) – spots are limited because I give each client my personal attention.

Bottom Line

Both your identity in Christ and your role as a second mom aren’t something you earn; they are gifts you receive. Claim your identity daily within the roles you’ve been given, protect it with boundaries, and let it shape every interaction in your adoptive/blended home.
Take the first step: download the worksheet, do the three practical actions, and consider whether the 12-week Anchored journey is the next logical move for you.
Blessings, Dawn
💬 Share your comments, questions or other feedback on this blog post with the “contact” option in the dropdown menu at the top of this page
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 Drop me a note at hi@thepostadoptionmomcoach.org



Dawn Baggett & Post Adoption Coaching

 

Hi there, I'm Dawn Baggett! 

As a mom in an adoptive family that includes the blending of both, biological and adopted children, with my family you name it and I’ve probably dealt with it at some level —
- navigating attachment issues, 
- trauma, 
- language barriers,
- baffling behaviors,
- special needs,
- accusations,
- chronic illness
- and more…

...with challenges & chaos that have both tested and refined my relationships, my mom role and my Christian faith.  

I’ve found that patterns and dynamics I struggled with were often the SAME ones that were repeated again and again in other homes of adoptive families like mine and within those of similar "second moms"  (step-moms and kinship caregivers raising children and teens that have had a break (for whatever reason) from their first mom).

 I truly believe in the power of faith-driven coaching to support "second moms" navigating the unique challenges of raising children with these often-complex backgrounds. 

My mission is to stand with you, offering guidance and understanding when the rest of your world seems unsure how to help, or even multiplies the problems that you are working so hard to overcome for your child and your family. 

If you're ready to continue your journey with a desire to walk out your faith in your family and mom role in particular, I'm here to be in your corner. Let's connect and explore how we can put together a personal plan that serves you! 

Apply for your free consultation to discover whether post adoption coaching is your next best step:  



With much love,
Dawn

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