Blended Family Podcast

26-Mother's Day Special with Lauren Jean, the Momma's Coach!

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   In this episode, we celebrate MOMS! It doesn’t matter if you are a biological mom, a step mom, a grandmother, or a step grandmother. In this show, I interview Lauren Jean, a fellow podcaster, who is all about helping moms! Some things we discuss are   Laurens podcast what moms struggle with creating time in your day how to not neglect our own needs stress management self care Want to connect with Lauren? Here are her ...

25-Top Tips for Keeping your Blended Family Close

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com I asked the listeners to help me compile a list of 25 top tips for bringing their blended family closer together, for this special milestone episode. Listen in to hear everyone’s fabulous ideas, plus a few of my own! Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to [email protected] Send me a voicemail at Spe...

24-When Your Partner Hates Your Child

  [email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com When your partner hates your child (or you hate your partners child), it can make your relationship seem impossible. The first step is acknowledging that this is going on. Then it’s important to validate one another’s feelings. Hatred is a strong emotion, and is usually coming from someplace. With understanding and communication, this doesn’t have to ruin your relationship. Family counseling can help, and sometimes just time ...

23-A Dangerous Situation

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   This episode is focused around a listener question, who wants to know how to deal with a very serious, dangerous situation in her life. In many cases, people are dealing with an ex partner who is dangerous to the well being of their child. This can mean abuse, addiction, or mental illness. In this case, our listener is dealing with something unimaginable. Click  here  for the mentioned interview with Heather Rampolla and Ch...

22-When your Teenager Decides to Move Out

  [email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com When your child decides they want to move out of your home, and in with their other biological parent, it can turn your world upside down. On this episode, we will talk about why this happens, and what you can do about it. I will also share with you a little of my personal story.   In blended families, this can turn into a situation that affects everyone in the entire home. It’s important to understand that this often has n...

21-Grandparents and Their Role in the Blended Family

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com In a traditional family setting, with two parents and their biological children, there are usually two sets of grandparents.  In the blended family, there are at least one or more additional sets of grandparents involved.  This can be difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t have cooperation from the grandparents. Becoming step grandparents may be a role that they weren’t prepared for, and maybe never even thought about.  ...

20-Interview with Christina Roach, founder of Success for Steps

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   On this episode, I have a conversation with specialist Christina Roach   Christina Roach is President and Founder of Success for Steps®, a resource for stepfamilies, and specializes in working with individuals in "step" relationships. She is a certified Stepfamily Foundation Master Coach and is a recognized Stepfamily Professional by the National Stepfamily Resource Center. In addition, she is a licensed psychotherapist, a ...

19-Focus on Education

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   In this day and age, it’s become harder for our children to focus on, and be successful in their education.  The world is a different place now than when we were of school age. Blended families have some extra difficulties with this, especially due to time sharing between two homes.  In this episode we discuss   distractions from social media exposure to sex and drugs problems with smartphones family dynamics and structu...

18-Time outs are for adults too!

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com We often hear of children needing to take a timeout for bad behavior.  Did you ever think of an adult taking a time out?  It can actually be extremely helpful and effective in certain situations. Taking a timeout is essential in times where your anger level is about to reach it’s peak.  Separate yourself before you lose control and say things you may regret later on.  During this time you can focus on your breathing to calm you...

17-Difficult and Manipulative Children in the Blended Family

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Raising difficult or manipulative children is so challenging, especially in a blended family home. In cases of divorce, these children are adept at working the parents against one another to get whatever it is that they want.  This behavior can cause lasting damage on the family and your relationship with your partner.   The key to success in helping a difficult child is to determine if there is a medical or psychological caus...

Episode 16-Bonding Part 2-Step Siblings

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Every parent hopes and wishes all of their children get along.  Biological children are built with a special bond with their siblings, whereas step siblings do not automatically have this.  In the blended family, we want to encourage the step siblings to form bonds and relationships with one another for a strong family dynamic.     Depending on the ages of the children, there are different ways to accomplish this.  You want to...

Episode 15-Maintaining Intimacy with Sibel Guelseren

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   This episode is all about maintaining intimacy with your partner while managing a blended family.  It can be so hard to do!   Listen to my conversation with Sibel Guelseren. Sibel is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Board Certified Addictions Professional, Board Certified Sex Therapist, and Life Coach with over 15 years in Experience.  Sibel earned a Master of Education Degree and a Specialist in Education Degree, ...

Episode 14-Bonding Part 1-Stepparent and Stepchild

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com It is so important to bond with your stepchildren.  Your stepchildren will always be a part of your partners life, therefore will be a part of yours.  We are all built with an innate quality to love and cherish our children unconditionally.  We don’t have the same built in feelings about stepchildren.  The relationship with our stepchildren needs work to grow.     Age plays a big role in how we bond with stepchildren.     El...

Episode 13-Healthy Communication in a blended family

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Healthy communication is an essential part of any relationship, not only those in blended families.  However, in the blended family, communication is key to success.  It is important for all members of the family to communicate, not just the parents.  I have three tips for healthy communication, which are Communication is NOT Confrontation Be open and honest Listen   1. Communication is not confrontation.  This means tha...

Episode 12-Interview with Heather Rampolla-Health and Meal time in a blended family

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Dont miss this great interview with Heather Rampolla!   Heather Rampolla is stepmom to two teenage daughters, host of Fresh Eats Radio and creator of Fresh Eats Detox. She helps busy moms, wives & entrepreneurs rid of overwhelm when trying to eat healthy… you know, like picky eaters, or fitting in real foods when you’re managing a busy schedule. She teaches you how to easily add in more of the good stuff so you can look goo...

Episode 11-Fighting Part 2 / Kids

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   All siblings fight, and this is a natural part of the process of growing up.  In a blended family, it doesn’t seem so natural when the step siblings fight.  This causes of lot of stress and unease on the parents.  It is actually one of the biggest problems blended families will face.  There are many reasons why the kids will fight, and there are right and wrong ways to deal with it.   An obvious reason why the step siblings...

Episode 10-Fighting Part 1 / Parents

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Parents in blended families face extra stress and difficulties, which can create some tension on the relationship. This can lead to excess fighting between the adults, and this can be damaging to your blended family.  Some of the most common causes of arguments could be ex partners, children, money, and scheduling.   There are ways to overcome this by learning healthy methods and strategies.  You want to make sure you are f...

Episode 09-Disrespectful Exes

[email protected] www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Almost every divorced couple deals with a disrespectful ex at some point or another after their divorce.  If you haven’t, then chances are your new partner may be dealing with it.   Some of the most common issues you may face with a disrespectful ex are an ex who is trying to turn the kids against you an ex who refuses to honor your new partner an ex who is all around difficult to try to hurt you   If your ex is trying t...

Episode 08-Dealing with Finances in a blended family

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   Dealing with finances is an issue that every couple must face.  However, it is much more difficult in a blended family.  There are usually more issues in a blended family, such as child support, separate debts and assets, and financial involvements with exes.   The issue of finances is best discussed early on in the relationship to avoid pitfalls in the future.  Some topics to discuss are handling of income handling of ex...

Episode 07-Determining Schedules and Visitation

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   There are a lot of factors to think about when determining your visitation schedule for your blended family.     You and your partner will already have a divorce agreement set in place that determines your basic schedule or agreement on visitation.  Once you blend families, you will need to decide how to make that work for everyone.     The big question is, should you have all of the kids from both sides share visitation ...

Episode 06-Establishing House Rules

When you move in together, It is really important to have a guideline of rules for the home.  This will insure that everyone knows what is expected of them.  There are rules for parents, rules for children, and general house rules.   Everything starts with the parents.  You and your partner need to first figure out your own rules, as a couple, in the home.  There are a few standards which should be a given.  This would include keeping an honest and open communication between the two of you...

Episode 05-Moving in Together

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   Moving in together and forming a blended family is a big decision.  There are some key factors to look at to determine if you are ready, and what steps to take. How do you know if the time is right? Deciding which home to move into, or where to move. How to tell your children. How to tell your ex partners.   When deciding if the time is right for your family to move in together, you must take everone’s feelings into con...

Episode 04-Holidays and traditions in a Blended Family

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   Blended families face many struggles during the holiday season. There are things you can do make this time less stressful and more peaceful for your family. The four topics are Religion Traditions Keeping things fair Holiday time sharing   Religion When the family is divided into two religions, the best practice is to allow celebrating both holidays.  Parents and children can learn from one another and expand their cu...

Dating after Divorce-Episode 03

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   This shows topics How long should you wait to date after a divorce How to figure out what type of partner you are looking for How to navigate this terrain with your children   How long you should wait to date depends on specific circumstances and your mental state.  Before moving on, you should be in a place where you are stable, and not actively grieving over your divorce.     Before you date, you need to work on brea...

Having a Healthy Divorce-Episode 02

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   Having a healthy divorce is essential, as it is the building block of a new relationship and important to the well being of your children. Four steps to a healthy divorce are    1. Evaluate  2. Stop the Hate  3. Communicate  4. Appreciate   Evaluate means to take inventory of your relationship with your ex, to determine what went wrong.  You want to also figure out what is wrong with the relationship at this curre...

Introduction to the Blended Family Podcast-Episode 01

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com [email protected]   A blended family is a family that includes children from a previous relationship or marriage. One or both partners may have children.   40-50% of today’s marriages fail, and new relationships formed after are often blended families.   The purpose of this podcast is to create a community to help these struggling families develop methods to make it all work.     This show is for you if you have a blended family you are...

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