The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

Lori and David dive into the unique challenges stepparents face in expressing honest feelings, especially compared to what's acceptable for biological parents. They share how phrases like "I need a break from my stepkids" or "sometimes I don't even like my stepkid" can spark criticism, even though similar comments about one's own kids are met with empathy. The conversation highlights double standa...

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David discuss a dilemma from their Facebook group about whether to include a troubled stepchild in a previously planned family cruise. The conversation explores the emotional, financial, and relational complexities of stepfamily vacations. Topics covered include the consequences of excluding the stepchild, potential resentment, whether vacations...

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori Sims welcomes guest Donna Kendrick, who shares her deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and blending families. Raised in Philadelphia, Donna Kendrick describes her journey from being married to a Philadelphia police officer, living abroad as a family, and navigating the aftermath of her husband's tragic taking of his own life after th...

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David broadcast live from the beach, sharing personal stories and hard-learned lessons about stepfamily vacations. They discuss the logistical and emotional challenges of blending five boys with different interests, from budgeting for group activities to navigating restaurant seating. The hosts reflect on the importance of flexibility, managing e...

This episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast dives into the realities of publishing the upcoming Nacho Kids book and unpacks common misconceptions about the Nacho Parenting method. The conversation focuses on the emotional journey behind writing and editing, clarifies what "nacho" means in step-parenting, and discusses the nuanced paths toward building healthier relationships within blended families. Li...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori talks with California Stepmom, who shares her decade-long journey as a stepmom in a blend with no biological or "ours" kids of her own, but with plenty of lessons learned and emotional ups and downs. California Stepmom discusses her initial excitement entering stepfamily life, the unexpected challenges she faced, particularly from toxic ex-spouse dynamics and loyalt...

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, David Sims and Lori Sims are joined by Erin and Jason Mencer to share their remarkable journey as a blended family. Married, divorced, and then remarried, Erin and Jason open up about the realities of stepfamily life, including challenges, personal growth, and what it truly takes to make a blended family work. Hear how expectations, family dynam...

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori talks with Katt Johnston, a mental health professional, educator, and content creator focused on family estrangement, emotional systems, and the impact of mental health culture on relationships. Kat shares her journey of becoming a leading voice in estrangement after a viral TikTok video, and dives deep into how therapy and societal trends can someti...

** Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of addiction, overdosing, and alleged inappropriate touching between a stepparent and stepchild ** In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with longtime friend Tabatha Hartman to discuss her challenging journey through grief, blending families, addiction, and parental alienation. Tabatha shares how her life changed after the loss of...

Comparisons are the Thief of Joy—But What About in Blended Families? In episode NKP362 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David dive deep into the pitfalls of comparison, especially when it comes to blended families, kids, and relationships. Listeners will hear personal stories from Lori about her son Jackson's academic achievements and the emotions that arise when comparing him to David's childr...

In this episode, Lori and David dig into real-life stepfamily scenarios from handling dinnertime food drama with stepkids, to discovering vapes hidden in a teenager's room. They discuss the importance of keeping the "target off your back" as a stepparent, sharing strategies for maintaining household harmony and reducing stress, like letting dad handle his child's plate or calmly informing the bio...

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Valerie Mills shares her remarkable story of becoming a stepmom who ultimately adopted her stepdaughter, overcoming immense obstacles and heartbreak along the way. Listeners will journey with Valerie Mills as she details the emotional and legal complexities of her family's story, from rescuing her stepdaughter from a difficult home environment a...

Challenging custody battles, high-conflict co-parents, and courtroom chaos, this episode dives deep into the realities protective parents face, with real strategies for fighting for your child's best interests. Join Renee Rodriguez and her expert guest for a powerful and practical conversation. In this insightful episode, Renee Rodriguez welcomes a seasoned custody consultant, the creator of The C...

Mother's Day is almost here, and stepmoms everywhere are bracing for the rollercoaster of emotions that this Hallmark holiday can bring. In this honest, lighthearted episode, Lori & David break down the myths, expectations, and real stories behind recognition, or lack thereof, on Mother's Day and Stepmother's Day in blended families. In this episode: Why communication about expectations is crucial...

Discover crucial insights into estate planning, divorce mediation, and the complexities of blended families in this heartfelt episode featuring attorney Tamara Arnold. Learn why preparing legal documents for life's unexpected turns is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. Listeners will hear Tamara's powerful personal story that led her to a career in estate planning, from her mother...

Curious how blended families navigate the tricky question of paying for college? Lori and David tackle financial planning, family dynamics, and the reality of college costs in stepfamilies with honesty and humor. In this episode, you'll hear candid discussions about college expenses, scholarships, military paths, and what happens when one parent or stepparent has set aside funds for their child. L...

Struggling with family court drama or high-conflict co-parenting? In this eye-opening episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, host Lori sits down with seasoned family law attorney Whitney Antoniono to reveal the common mistakes people make in family court, and how to avoid them. What to Expect: You'll learn the crucial dos and don'ts of communicating with your co-parent, why documenting everything (wit...

Ready for some laughs, real-life blended family moments, and practical advice? In Episode NKP354 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David go deep on navigating relationships with adult stepkids - messy bathrooms, emptied fridges, and all! Tune in to hear Lori recount a jaw-dropping real-life story from a Nacho Kids Academy member who returned home to a ransacked kitchen and disaster-zone bathroom...

Ready for some real talk about stepfamily life? In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David dive into the hot topic of whether stepkids should be pushed to move out at 18, and why the answer is rarely so simple. Tune in to hear Lori and David share both personal stories and practical advice about navigating expectations around adult children in blended families. You'll hear the...

Get ready for a powerful and deeply honest conversation in Nacho Kids Podcast Episode 352! This week, our returning guest Laura, a stepmom from Oklahoma, shares her emotional journey navigating difficult stepfamily dynamics, personal boundaries, and the realities of "apartnership" - staying married while living separately. Tune in to hear Laura provide a raw behind-the-scenes look at what led her...

Feeling lost in your stepfamily journey? In Nacho Kids Podcast episode 351, Lori and David get real about what it's like to lose yourself in the chaos of blending families, and how to find your way back to "you." In this deeply relatable conversation, Lori opens up about her personal experience of losing her sense of self after joining families with David, taking on new roles, and navigating quadr...

Blending families isn't for the faint of heart—and losing yourself in the process is all too common. Tune in as Lori and guest Jackie Faber get real about boundaries, guilt, and reclaiming your identity in stepfamily life. In this raw and relatable episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori welcomes former stepmom Jackie Faber to discuss what it's really like to blend families, navigate unfair expect...

Get ready for laughter, realness, and actionable advice as Lori and David tackle Valentine's Day expectations and the tricky emotions that come with stepfamily living. In this episode, Lori and David dive into the emotional minefields of Valentine's Day, discussing honest communication between partners and the importance of managing expectations, especially in blended families. You'll hear their c...

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast , Lori sits down with Jon Bassford , author of The Co-Parenting Secret: It's Not About You , to talk about what healthy co-parenting really looks like, and why most families are unknowingly doing it wrong. Jon shares his personal journey as a child of divorce, a father navigating two households, and a co-parent who intentionally...

When an adult stepchild moves back home, many stepparents quickly realize that blending does not end at age 18, it simply enters a new phase. In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David talk candidly about what happens when adult children return home, sometimes with partners and young children in tow. What begins as a temporary plan to save money or regroup can quickly bring up anxie...