Blended Family Breakthrough

Resources Episode 214.  Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt?  Discover How to Know and Grow Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman Love and Logic Parenting Method   - Love and Logic is a research-driven, whole-child philosophy founded in 1977. This authoritative approach is used by parents and leading educators worldwide. Episode 184. The Heart of Motherhood:  Navigating Messy...

In this episode, we're getting real about something that so many blended family parents struggle with: permissive parenting driven by guilt, fear, or insecurity. Kim opens up about her personal journey as a single mom, how her guilt and fear led her to parent from a place of pity, and how that impacted her daughter, Annika.  We’re also diving into the difference between pity and empathy and h...

Resource Episode 213. Discover How to Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce [with Lauren Reitsema]  Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra sup...

What a privilege to have Lauren Reitsema back on the show to dive deeper into how we can authentically bond and connect with kids who are navigating divorce and blended family dynamics.  Lauren’s passion for relationship skills began in middle school after her parents' divorce, leading her to pursue Communication Studies at TCU. She’s the author of In Their Shoes , helping parents connect wit...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most emotionally charged challenges for blended families: navigating co-parenting dynamics and negotiating with an ex-spouse.  Whether things are civil or you’re experiencing high levels of tension, we share the three strategies that have changed everything for us and for the couples we coach — Clarity, Communication, and Consistency. We'll share wha...

Resources Episode 210.  Is Your Child Pulling Away?  Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love Episode 211.  8 Warning Signs Your Ex is Manipulating Your Child's Heart and Mind Episode 6. Are Your Kids Stuck in a 'Parental Allegiance' and What Can You Do About It? Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the...

We know how heartbreaking it can be when your child starts pulling away from you.  It can leave you wondering if your ex is negatively influencing them behind the scenes. We’ve lived it.  In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the painful season we went through with Kim’s daughter, Annika. We talk through how to recognize the signs of manipulation, avoid common parenting missteps, and r...

Resources Episode 210. Is Your Child Pulling Away?  Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love   Episode 207. 4 Big Myths About Parenting When an Ex Has Different Rules and How to Build Consistency Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blende...

This one hits close to home for us.  In this episode, we’re opening up about a painful season in our parenting journey when Kim’s daughter began pulling away from our home and requesting to spend more time at her dad’s. We know how confusing, heartbreaking, and disorienting this can be, especially for blended families with limited time together.  That’s why we’re sharing 3 essential tips that can...

Resources Episode 129. What does it take to build and maintain trust in your relationship? Episode 119. 6 Tips to Grow Empathy and Create More Connection in Your Marriage Episode 203. How to Make Better Decisions and Solve Problems as a United Team Episode 108. 3 Unity Breakers that are Detrimental to Your Connection and How You Can Avoid Them Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a...

If you've ever wrestled with second-guessing yourself, feeling stuck in past mistakes, or wondering if you can truly trust yourself again, you're not alone.  In this episode, we open up about the very real struggles with self-doubt that we’ve faced personally and that we often see in the blended couples we coach. Together, we're exploring five powerful habits that can help you break...

Additional Resources Episode 178. Suriving the Turbulent Teen Years:  Expert Insight and Strategies for Today's Parent [with Dr. Michael Bradley] Episode 124. How to Effectively Parent Through Each Stage of Development - and Reduce Painful Interactions (Part 1) Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know...

In this episode, we share a practical and powerful strategy to help step-parents confidently navigate solo time with their stepchildren.  Whether you're a biological parent or a step-parent, this episode is for you!  You'll discover how preparation, communication, and teamwork can transform tension into opportunities for connection.  The key? A simple but often overlooked strategy called...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

Parenting in a blended family can be tough — especially when your ex has completely different rules and expectations.  Today, we're tackling a common source of frustration: navigating household differences.  We'll uncover the four biggest myths that keep blended couples stuck and reveal the counteractive truths that bring clarity, confidence, and collaboration.  Plus, we’ll share our Fou...

Resources Episode 135. How to Set Appropriate Boundaries and Negotiate Well with your Ex-Spouse Episode 188. Basics for Blending:  How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress Episode 153. How to Empower Organization, Improve Communication and Create Peace Between Your Kids Two Homes Episode 112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids Episode 113. How to Respo...

Does it ever feel like you are miles apart as a couple when it comes to leading your blended family? In this episode, we dive into the most common partnership pitfalls that couples face. From feeling unheard and untrusted to navigating misaligned parenting expectations, we unpack the challenges that often create disconnection, stress and conflict. We also share practical tools to shift from frustr...

Resources Episode 74. How to Develop Appropriate and Effective Consequences that Empower Responsibility Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along th...

We know firsthand that parenting in a blended family isn’t the same as parenting in a first family. A biological parent's role is crucial in helping kids adjust to change, supporting step-relationships, and keeping things running smoothly. But here’s the challenge—many bio parents either hold too tightly to their old parenting patterns or step back too quickly and expect their spouse to fill...

Resources Episode 136. How to Intentionally Create Positive Family Time and Reduce Relational Tension Episode 149. How to "Blend" Holiday Traditions and Create Meaningful Connection This Season Episode 85. How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your...

Stepparenting raises many questions: What’s my role? How involved should I be? What if my stepkids don’t accept me?  It’s easy to make wrong turns without even realizing it. In this episode, we’re delving into four key facets of parenting: meeting practical needs, providing support, teaching life lessons, and delivering discipline. We'll uncover the unique roles and responsibilities of a step...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

 In this episode, we’re delving into a common challenge for blended family couples: decision-making and problem-solving. Whether managing kids’ expectations, negotiating with an ex, or facing the pain of being a “trapped teammate” or “stranded stranger,” disagreement and differing perspectives can create tension and keep you stuck. We’ve been there ourselves, and we share relatable stories, includ...

Resources Episode 202. How to Break Free from Painful Cycles and Enjoy Deeper Levels of Intimacy [with Ron & Nan Deal] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some ext...