Maybe we all start out on a similar romantic path — we meet, connect at a deep level and then fall in love.

But when the dating stage gives way to everyone living under the same roof, blended family couples inevitably seem to be thrust toward a path of unforeseen challenges that rob them of that connection and excitement of falling in love.

Why is this?  Because a blended family marriage is simply different than a first family marriage.

You might believe that when it comes to marriage, there shouldn't be much difference between a blended family couple and first family couples — this seems quite reasonable.  

But the truth is, holding onto that belief for too long will typically lead to feeling trapped in disappointment, discouragement, and disconnection.  It's an unrealistic expectation to think that connection and romance in a blended family will look the same as a first family.

We fell into this trap too — and stayed stuck for several years.  Thankfully we learned how to get out of the trap of this false belief.  It started with a really simple step — naming and accepting the differences. 

In this episode, we'll uncover the 3 most challenging differences between a first family marriage and a blended family marriage — and why we're all prone to experiencing these.

You'll Discover:

• Why understanding the differences between a first family marriage and a blended family marriage is so important
• 3 major differences that impact almost every blended family couple
• How to prepare yourself for unexpected challenges in your relationship 

Resources from this Episode:

• Scott River Lodge Retreat:  https://www.scottriverlodge.com
• Gil & Brenda Stuart's Article:  Remarried Couples Can Be Astronomically Different…Here’s How
• Episode 5:  How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers from Your Past
• Episode 21: What is the Stranded Stranger & Trapped Teammate Experience (Part 1)?
• Episode 59:  Why Are You Stuck in a Parent-Child Allegiance (Part 1)?
• iMOM Article:  Put the Spark Back in Your Marriage with a Spark Jar

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