Blended Family Breakthrough

140. Blending with Adult Children — One Couple's Story of Heartache and Triumph


Listen Later

It's easy to assume that adult children will be happy to celebrate a parent's remarriage later in life.  They're adults, right?  They're focused on their own lives and families.  Your later life marriage shouldn't really impact them.

But for most later life remarriages, that's simply not true.  Most couples quickly run up against some unexpected challenges.

Our friends Steve and Jan Mathews were surprised by the painful issues they faced with Steve's adult kids shortly after he married Jan.

His adult kids reacted with unforeseen reluctance to accept Jan into their lives.

In this week's episode, we're talking to Steve and Jan about how they've navigated the unique difficulties of blending with adult kids.  

Their story illustrates healthy ways to embrace realistic expectations, how to best approach bonding, and practical tips to find an appropriate balance that honors your marriage and your adult children — even when you're feeling stuck.

Join us for a candid conversation with Steve and Jan.

You'll Discover:

  • The unique challenges that come when remarrying with adult kids in the mix
  • Some "best practice principles" that apply to bonding and blending children of all ages
  • Realistic expectations and tips to find a healthy balance that honors your marriage AND your adult children
  • Strategies for the childless stepmom

Resources from this Episode:

  • Want to connect with Steve and Jan?  You can email them at: -
  • Blog Article:  I Object!  Helping Adult Children Cope When Their Parent Remarries
  • Episode 72 - The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships (Crockpot Strategy)
  • Book Recommendations:  
    • The Smart Stepmom by Ron Deal & Laura Petherbridge
    • The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal
    • Preparing to Blend by Ron Deal

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

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”.  Thanks!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Blended Family BreakthroughBy Mike & Kim Anderson

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

186 ratings


More shows like Blended Family Breakthrough

View all
FamilyLife Today® by FamilyLife Podcast Network

FamilyLife Today®

1,695 Listeners

Focus on Marriage Podcast by Focus on the Family

Focus on Marriage Podcast

1,886 Listeners

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,150 Listeners

Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby by Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

802 Listeners

Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast by Clutterbug

Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast

2,013 Listeners

Oprah's Super Soul by Oprah

Oprah's Super Soul

31,886 Listeners

The Virtual Couch by Tony Overbay LMFT

The Virtual Couch

645 Listeners

Calm Parenting Podcast by Kirk Martin

Calm Parenting Podcast

1,393 Listeners

Fierce Marriage by Ryan and Selena Frederick

Fierce Marriage

4,225 Listeners

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast by FamilyLife Podcast Network

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

331 Listeners

You Are Not Broken by Kelly Casperson, MD

You Are Not Broken

1,014 Listeners

Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark by Turning Point USA

Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

12,988 Listeners

The Best of You by Dr. Alison Cook

The Best of You

809 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

19,500 Listeners

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

8,207 Listeners