Making it through Mother's Day

EXPERT ADVICE If you're a stepmother, it's hard to win on Mother's Day. Maybe you'll get flowers, or a hug. Maybe you'll get zilch. Prepare yourself with this advice from the experts:

-- If you'd like to be acknowledged, share your feelings with your husband.

-- Don't feel like you have to help your stepkids pick out cards for their biological mom if it feels awkward. Have their father do that.

-- Make an effort to be, at the very least, civil to the biological mom.

-- Schedule a pampering day for yourself. Spend the day with a friend who's lost her mother, or make a beauty appointment.

-- Focus on celebrating your mother instead of yourself.