Resources:

Episode 193. The Advantage of Learning The Basics BEFORE You Blend

CLICK HERE to receive a curated podcast list to help you learn the Basics of Blending

Episode 109. Preparing to Blend: The Couples Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily [with Ron Deal]

Book by Ron Deal: Preparing to Blend: The Couple's Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily

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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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

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Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Most of us start off on the blending journey with some ambiguity about how to deal with the complex dynamics that will come as families merge.

It usually doesn't take long before you're blindsided by the reality that there's SO MUCH MORE to blending than first anticipated. Feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and disappointment might hit and you realize you're not as prepared as you thought.

If you're seriously dating, contemplating marriage, engaged, newly married or getting ready to merge and move everyone under one roof — or if you've been on your blended journey for a while and you just need to get back to the basics…

…this episode is for you!

Discover in ADVANCE what you can do to prepare for your blend and avoid the common "easy wrong turns" that often create confusion, resentment, tension, conflict, and disconnection in blended families.

Hop into this episode to learn best practices, helpful strategies, and understand the basics of blending so that you can set your family up for the best possible experience!

You'll Discover:

• The advantage of preparing in ADVANCE for blended family life
• Basics for blending that build a healthy foundation so that everyone in your home can experience the best possible outcomes
• How to avoid the 'easy wrong turns' that lead to confusion, resentment, relational tension, painful conflict, and disconnection for blended families

Resources from this Episode:

• CLICK HERE to receive a curated list of episodes that take a deeper dive into today's A.D.V.A.N.C.E. topics
• Book: Crucial Conversations - Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
• Join our Blending Together Community

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Resources:

Episode 172. 2 Key Elements to Resolve Your Parenting Style Differences - And Get United

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

What's one of THE most challenging "feats" for blended couples to successfully master?

Building a healthy, collaborative parenting partnership!

What makes this so difficult?

The sensitive topic of parenting can naturally kick off an emotionally-charged conversation, ending in disagreement, conflict, and disconnection.

If you're anything like us, you've probably experienced painful, unproductive interactions around parenting that left you at risk…

…at risk of shutting down or shutting each other out

…at risk of reacting poorly in those moments that matter most

…at risk of ongoing distrust

…at risk of experiencing double standards, hurt feelings, ongoing tension, resentment, and relational strain in your home.

Here's the good news: you CAN minimize these risks by practicing new ways to communicate that build your parenting partnership!

In this episode, we'll share how we've learned to master the "feat" of building a parenting partnership by engaging in sensitive parenting conversations that built trust and healthy collaboration in our relationship. Ultimately, all of this will lead to better outcomes for kids — and for you!

You'll Discover:

• A simple 4-part process to initiating sensitive conversations and address concerns about your partner's child
• How to reduce conflict and break free from unproductive, ineffective communication patterns around parenting
• Practical steps for building a healthy, collaborative parenting partnership

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress
• Book: Crucial Conversations - Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Resources

• Episode 191. Achieve Financial Harmony: Expert Guidance for Blending Your Finances [with special guests Ron Deal & Greg Pettys]
• Book by Ron Deal, Greg Pettys & David Edwards: The Smart Stepfamily's Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family
• Click here to connect with Greg Pettys for a FREE consult regarding basic estate planning (wills, trusts, power of attorney, and guardianship)

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Money is emotional.

That's why it can be a touchy subject for couples — whether they're preparing to blend or if they've been blending for a while. Discussing finances can lead to very real challenges.

The process of "merging money" can easily become complicated and overwhelming for blended family couples. The complexities tap into deeper emotions tied to things like fear, trust, loyalty, security, and stability.

But "complex" and "impossible" are two different things. The emotional nature of money doesn't have to keep couples stuck. It is possible to create transparency, understanding, and alignment around your finances — for today and for the future.

And the great part is, alignment around finances often creates greater levels of trust and intimacy in your relationship.

So if your goal is to love, care, and provide for everyone in your family, but you just aren't sure how to effectively merge your finances — this episode is for you!

We're so grateful to have Ron Deal and Greg Pettys on the show to share expert advice and practical steps for discussing and managing your financial expectations and future plans…

…this episode is a MUST for every blended couple.

You'll Discover:

• How to move beyond fear and ambiguity to create transparency, understanding, and alignment around money
• The difference between a Prenuptial Agreement (which is a contingency plan that assumes failure) and a Togetherness Agreement (which is a proactive plan that assumes success)
• How to build emotional and financial security and safety while making decisions around money — even when there's doubt and distrust
• How to honor and provide for your children's future, while offering care and concern for your spouse and stepchildren's financial future as well

Resources from this Episode:

• Book by Ron Deal, Greg Pettys & David Edwards: The Smart Stepfamily's Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family
• Click here to connect with Greg Pettys for a FREE consult regarding basic estate planning (wills, trusts, power of attorney, and guardianship)
• Click here for a list of Smart Stepfamily Providers for help with 'under the surface' issues.

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Resources:

Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Stranded Stranger / Trapped Teammate Dynamic)

Episode 5. How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers From Your Past

Dr. Patricia L. Papernow - Stepfamily Relationships

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

I (Mike) have had so many moments of just feeling stuck. I wondered how we would ever move forward and I figured out pretty early on that I wouldn't be able to sort out all the complex chaos without some support.

The problem was, I had no idea what kind of support we needed.

And when we were stuck in unhealthy patterns that kept leading to disconnection and pain, it was challenging to sort out how to move forward.

That's a frustrating place to be. It can sometimes feel confusing or even hopeless.

In this episode, we'll share some painful moments where we felt stuck and how we discovered the difference between engaging in counseling and coaching and the benefits of each at different seasons of our journey.

The great news is there wasn't anything "wrong" with us that we couldn't work through with a little help!

If you're feeling stuck in the complex realities of blending, you aren't alone and you don't have to stay stuck either. Listen in to discover the best approach for getting the help you need today!

You'll Discover:

• Distinct benefits and differences between counseling and coaching
• How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) from the past might be impacting your present reality
• How to get unstuck and move toward positive growth
• Personal questions to help determine the best support for you

Resources from this Episode:

• Article from Cleveland Clinic: Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs)
• Counselors & Coaches with Stepfamily Training
• Episode 165. How important is your mindset when it comes to blended family life?

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 how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether