Blended - Navigating The Blended Family Experience

How do I get my marriage back on track? Is a loving and fruitful relationship even realistic? It seems people are asking these type of questions more than ever! Claire Jorgensen is convinced that "all marriages can be saved," and she follows through with this belief within her practice. As a coach, Claire supports women, men, and couples find hope and restoration in the most important areas of lif...

In all realtionships, whether they are thriving or on the verge of falling apart, communication is one of the major factors. Both the quantity and the quality of our words will either serve the purpose of strengthening and affirming our relationships, or they will be a source of pain and discouragement. There's hardly a middle ground when it comes to the impact of our speech. So which will you cho...

It's the perfect time to bring this episode back! Holidays are truly a blessing and serve as a great opportunity for gratitude and connection. While there is no doubt that this can be achieved within the blended family, we can acknowledge that there are some hurdles (or landmines) that seem to interfere with the goal. As we figure out the best way to navigate the holidays with peace in tact, consi...

It's likely not possible to be a great step-parent without being a fighter! The ability to pick battles, fight fair, endure, and get back up after getting knocked down, are just a few ways that this quality shows up. A few of our greatest bouts will be against: Ourselves and the lies that we often enertain The threats against the order that we're establishing within our homes  A corrupt and perver...

I've gotten so much revelation over the last couple of months. One of my conclusions - I've been playing the fence! My desire to see individuals and families transformed pales in comparison to Gods desire for the family unit. What could be better than knowing that we can go to the source Himself?! Families are in need of truth, and I look forward to helping them find it! 

Emotional stability is an underrated commodity. Proverbs 25:28 states, "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." We aren't as familiar with the necessity of literal walls today, but they once meant the difference between a safe and functional civilization, and one that is left vulnerable to attack and disorder. The consequence of emotional instability can...

Being quick to forgive is much more about strength than it is about being passive! This is one of the more impactful qualities that a Step-parent can bring into their family dynamic, and continue to develop. Among the things that forgiveness provides are: Freedom of Expression   Relationship Security   An Example and Display of Health & Grace Productive Conflict Resolution   Attractiveness   Influ...

Are blended families really THAT hard? Most of us understand that any and every family comes with their challenges. However, there is a level of struggle that seems unreasonable. Or maybe 'the trial' has lasted so long that you wonder whether this is to be expected, or is your situation out of the norm. Reality is that there are greater threats to our marriages and families that tend to be overloo...

As an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, Kristi Mears specializes in serving clients that have experienced trauma in relation to betrayal. Kristi has found that this issue in particular is pervasive in nature. This is in part due to the reality that intimacy within our relationships creates vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, our most important relationsips are best served as we give of ourselves fu...

Such a powerful conversation!  Margo was entirely unprepared for the moment when she realized that she was pregnant. The fact that there was zero stability in her relationship only made things more complicated. Unfortunately, her experience is not as irregular as one would think. Margo was aware of the reality that she'd likely have to raise a child on her own. During the episode she also relays h...

A child can hardly help but to be a reflection of their environment. Behavior, attention spans, demeanor, mannerisms and so many other indicators point to whether their needs are being met, or whether they're lacking in some way. Kathy Tempco has been working closely with young learners for almost 20 years. During this episode she speaks on her experiences of serving kids that have an ideal enviro...

When does the desire to help end, and the attempt to be someones savior begin? This can be such a tough line to identify. Lending a hand or providing support shouldn't result in the sacrifice of our well-being. Nor do we want to rob people of the opportunity to develop and build character during what may be a trying time. Operating with both grace and tact is no easy task!   

Getting our kids to college can be difficult. The blended family dynamic tends to present additional challenges. Brad Baldridge has worked with thousands of families as a college funding specialist, so he knows what it takes for our kids to pursue a higher eduation! Whether you need information about saving for college, financial aid, student loans how to make sense out of it all, then Brad is her...

Our challenges don't determine whether we become victims; ultimately, we do. That may be hard for many to wrap their heads around considering the frequency of the offense and how deeply they've been impacted. Nonetheless, we have the ability to accept that those moments have had a residual impact and we can choose to let go, forgive, overcome, and be free!

Thick skin is a virtue for those of us navigating the blend! Without it, handling the challenges that we experience on a regular basis ends up feeling like we've gone into battle without the armor necessary to soften the blows. In other words, we need to develop some callous (the good kind)! Listen in on how you can develop some thicker skin while avoiding the familiar pitfall of becoming hardened...

Yes, the topic of sex is being addressed more openly these days. However, I question whether the content around this conversation is really serving those that aspire to do relationship the right way. Margo and I have experienced both great success and deep failure in this area. All of which has given us a better understanding and a more fulfilling level of intimacy in our relationship. Take a list...

Regardless of what stage we find ourselves, we tend to face some really unique scenarios within the blended famliy. Listen in as I read some of those scenarios and share my two cents (or three), on a few of these blended situations! 

Avoiding the perspective and approach of the a NACHO parent is a proactive effort! This effort is reflected in the way that we both prepare and remain at attention during crucial stages of our relationships.  Here are four things that we can do to almost guarantee a successful outcome and escaping the 'NACHO' mindset:  1. Do Your Homework   Apple Podcast -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bl...

Is your stepchild two different people? Are they one person in your home and someone entirely different elsewhere? Have you become the home that is resented opposed to being the one that is preferred? All of the above are questions that we may entertain and desperately want to answer. But are the questions fair? Kids that go from one home to another, regarless how frequently that may happen, deal...

Much has been accomplished this year! None of which would be possible without the collective support of those that have listened and engaged throughout 2022. There's plenty of momentum as we move into the new year and we can't wait to see what's in store! 

Among the many wonderful outcomes of being a step-parent, one of my favorites is the ability to pick your battles! However, this is a skill-set that we tend to stumble upon with a lot of time and much effort. Brett Kanda is no stranger to this process. In this episode he touches on the strain of being a leader and authority figure in his family, while also having to lay down his pride and a sense...

There is hardly a more defeating or frustrating experience as a step-parent than to lack influence. Expressing an opinion or exercising authority within our families can be suprisingly difficult as everyone is adjusting. However, finding your voice as a step-parent is a must! This process often times feels like a balancing act where we're treading lightly, but not walking on eggshells ~ being flex...

A step-parent is an individual, a partner, a parent and a resource for restoration! Unfortunately, when these traits are lost among those that function within the role, we're left with fewer tools and an optimism that takes more effort to rev up than it used to. If we can define this incredible title of Step-parent, and accept it fully, I believe excitement, connection and hope will stay within ar...

This year has had its challenges! After stepping back for a bit I look forward to what's ahead for the listeners of Blended and those that will soon be part of the community! Back to posting podcast episodes on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month and blogs will be available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month via our navigatingtheblend.com page. Stay tuned!   

Tyler Jones is a product of the blended family! While Tyler may be a man of character, faith and well accomplished professionally, he has not forgotten the moments that shaped him. The opportunity to exercise hindsight concerning his experiences is a blessing for parents so that they're reminded of the value that they possess. Tyler also reminds those that grew up in the blended family that they w...