Fighting the wicked step-mother label
However it finds you, motherhood is a whole new world. Meet Lulu La Ru — a ‘Super Terrific Extra Parent’ (also known as a S.T.E.P.-MUM). She’s funny and sassy with a heart of gold and is embracing her new life with a sense of humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. Author Gina Bartlett, a step-mother of two young girls, introduces Lulu La Ru and shares her hilarious adventures as she rides the crazy, up-and-down rollercoaster of family life. We asked Gina some questions:
Tell us a little about Lulu La Ru Steps Up As A Step-mum
It’s a collection of quirky, humorous stories that offer a refreshing take on families with step-mums. Written from the perspective of the fun, sassy character, Lulu La Ru, the book takes readers on a journey through the challenges she faces and lessons she learns as she embraces her new role as a stepmum. The narrative follows Lulu La
Ru as she navigates the unpredictable world of family life, making it up as she goes along — often with hilarious results.
The book challenges stereotypes surrounding step-mums, offering a humorous perspective on the daily adventures of family dynamics. Unlike traditional narratives about blended families, or step-mums in particular, the focus here is not on the differences but on highlighting the universal aspects of family life. Growing up with influences such as Dr Seuss and Pam Ayres and drawing inspiration from a grandfather with a penchant for limericks, Lulu La Ru is crafted in a fun, rhyming style.
What inspired you to write this book? How much is it influenced by your own life?
The book was a passion project for my family and stems from my own experiences of becoming a step-mum, infusing authenticity into the characters and situations depicted in the book. My experiences echo that of Lulu La Ru’s journey as I too was once a childless, successful, professional woman whose life took a profound turn upon embracing the role of step-mum. I experienced first-hand my step-daughters’ bewilderment at how step-mums in movies or children’s literature were always the mean, wicked party when their reality was the opposite. As many children live in this family dynamic, I wanted to put forward another narrative and provide my step-daughters with a book in their school library that reflected the type of family they lived in. I wanted other children to read these funny stories and realise that, whether they had a stepmum or not, family life was much the same. My step-daughters were actively involved in the project, contributing to the design of their characters and sharing real-life stories that served as inspiration, albeit with a touch of exaggeration for comedic effect.
What do you hope families will take away from reading your book?
I hope that my book will not only entertain but also normalise families with step-mums. The intention is to provide an inclusive narrative that showcases all women in mothering roles as being on the same team, working towards the common goal of raising happy, healthy and thriving children.
The book strives to counteract prevailing stereotypes and foster a sense of unity among diverse family structures.
Who will enjoy Lulu La Ru?
The audience for Lulu La Ru extends beyond blended families or those with step-mums, as feedback suggests that children and women alike can relate to and enjoy the humorous tales within. The stories touch on universal themes such as the challenges of preparing politically-correct, healthy, nutritious school lunches, dealing with the chaos children create and navigating the intricacies of school gate politics.
Ultimately, the book aims to resonate with readers by portraying the shared experiences and humour inherent in the roller-coaster ride of family life, regardless of its unique composition.