How do you hold onto your joy — even in the midst of disappointment, negativity, and difficult emotions?  

In our last episode, we discussed some common senerios that have the potential to steal your joy and add tension to your blended family.

We wanted to help you build more awareness about these joy-stealers and understand that you're not alone…

…we've been robbed of our joy many times too!

In this episode, we're sharing the strategies and mindset shifts that we've discovered throughout our own journey and how we've managed to experience more joy even when things don't go as planned.

Don't let those joy-stealers take over.  Hop into this discussion and find out how you can hold onto your joy this Christmas and in everyday life!

You'll Discover:

• Several strategies and mindset shifts to hold onto your joy - even when things don't go as planned and you're blindsided by painful emotions.

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 151: What Has the Potential to Steal Your Joy - And How Can You Hold Onto It (Part 1)?
• Episode 139:  The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences  (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger_
• Episode 112:  3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting  - And Hurt the Kids
• Episode 135:  How to Set Appropriate Boundaries & Negotiate Well with Your Ex-Spouse
• Episode 147:  Do Sensitive Conversations  End Up Creating Conflict in Your Relationship?
• Episode 36:  How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection
• Episode 5:  How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers From Your Past
• Episode 35:   Are You Controlling Conflict or Is Conflict Controlling You? 

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 kn

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

You want to experience joy when you gather with your family — not just during the holidays, but in everyday life as well.

You might plan, dream, and anticipate how much fun and togetherness you'll experience as a family along the way.  You probably look forward to joy-filled moments eating delicious meals, celebrating, and engaging in fun activities together.

But in blended family dynamics, it's easy for your joy to unexpectedly be robbed.  

It doesn't take much for disappointment, confusion, or even conflict to come along and pull the joy right out from under us…

…leaving us feeling discouraged, disconnected, and stuck.

In this episode, we're uncovering the common pain points that can easily steal your joy.  

Why?

So that you can build awareness and understanding around the sneaky dynamics that tend to emerge and often blindside us.  This will set you up for next week's episode where we'll offer practical tips, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you hold onto more joy this holiday season and beyond.

You'll Discover:

• 3 common dynamics that often rob our joy and leave us feeling disappointed, confused, and even kick up conflict.

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 77:  3 Unique Differences that make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging
• Episode 15:  7 Unexpected Realities That Can Leave You Feeling Blindsided
• Episode 118:  Meaningful Insight and Practical Strategies to Help Your Blended Family Navigate Holiday Challenges
• Episode 139:  The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences

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

Resource for this Episode

Episode 150: The Highs and Lows of Our Family's Holiday Experiences

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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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!

Isn't it fun to reminisce sometimes?

We love spending time remembering the journey with our family.  It's great to recall some of those funny moments in our history.  And it's meaningful when we recount the tough seasons we've endured together as well.

In celebration of our 150th episode, we thought we'd let you listen in to our family reminisce over some of the ups and downs of our Holiday experiences over the past 20+ years. 

We wonder if it might stir up a bit of hope for your own future as you hear some of our stories through the voices of all our kids.  We've experienced some high points, and low points as a family over the years - and your family will too.  But as you navigate it together, we believe you can experience closeness, gratitude, and joy as a family — and we hope our discussion blesses you this season.

In this episode, you'll discover how our kids answered these questions as they share their holiday experiences living in our blended family:

• What are your favorite memories (including funny ones)?
• What might have been a negative experience for you?
• What things made you feel sad, annoyed, or frustrated?
• What are you grateful for?
• What do you wish we (as parents) might have done differently?
• PLUS you'll catch some of their encouragements for YOU!

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 87:  Mike & Annika Chat About Her Experience Growing Up in our Home
• Episode 71: How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 84:  How to Cope with Sadness, Anxiety & Longing when You're Missing Your Kids 
• Episode 14:  3 Helpful Steps to Overcome Your "Perfectionistic" Ideas & Disappointment
•  Episode 132:  How Does Loss & Grief Impact Blended Family Integration?
• Episode 75:  How to Use Personality Insights to Improve Your Approach to Parenting

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 read too! :-)  Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us kn

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

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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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!

We all want to enjoy the holiday season with our family — without experiencing tension, disappointment or conflict. 

Managing all the complexities of blended family life can be overwhelming around the holidays.  You're merging two family cultures with different ideas about how the holiday season should look…

…kids might be looking forward to experiencing past family traditions that are still meaningful to them.  On the other hand, adults are focused on creating a whole new experience around holiday festivities.

This can lead to unmet expectations, hurt feelings and disconnection — which is  the opposite of what you really want for your family.

In this episode, you'll discover how to honor the history of your kids, while creating new traditions and a shared history that's practical and meaningful to everyone — without getting overwhelmed!

You'll Discover:

• A healthy mindset to reduce anxiety and pressure
• A practical framework to use while making decisions around holiday traditions and activities
• Why it's important to honor the history and preferences of each family member
• How to let go of unrealistic expectations
• Creative ways to start some meaningful, new family traditions

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 70. 5 Simple Ingredients for Healthy Tech Habits with Your Kids
• Episode 118. Meaningful Insights & Practical Strategies to Help Your Blended Family Navigate Holiday Challenges
• Episode 10:  8 Practical Tips for a Successful Holiday Season
• Episode 148. 5 Tips to Negotiate Holiday Plans and Avoid Scheduling Conflicts with the Ex
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment 
• Episode 84. How to Cope with Sadness, Anxiety and Longing While Your Kids are Gone
• Blog Article:  Blended Family Holiday Blues:  3 Tips for When You're Missing Your Kids
• Episode 83. 4 Everyday Favoritism Traps that Dishearten Kids in a Blended Family
• Episode 12:  4 Meaningful Mindsets for Budgeting Your Happy Holiday
• Resource for Fun, Festive Activities, Ideas and Traditions:  imom website

 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

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

Resources for this Simple Step

Episode 41. Are You Unintentionally Putting Your Kids in the Middle?
 
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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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!

Isn't there just something fun and exciting about the Holidays?  

It seems to be a time of excitement and high hopes for family "togetherness".  You probably want to plan fun, festive activities so that you're able to enjoy memorable moments with your kids.

But to make all that fun happen, you might need to negotiate a few logistics with your former spouse…

…which could lead to stress and conflict — YUCK!

We hear you and have been there more times than we've wanted to be.  

Yet, over the years we've discovered 5 practical tips that can reduce the headaches and avoid the heartaches that often come when negotiations break down.

If you're anticipating changes to the visitation schedule this holiday season, don't procrastinate!  We'll help you navigate the negotiations so they don't rob your joy.  

Hop into this episode to discover how you can approach negotiations well and enjoy more peace this Holiday Season! 

You'll Discover:

• 5 tips for negotiating schedule changes with your former spouse that can increase cooperation and ease tension 
• How to stay focused on what's best for the kids and set them up for a peaceful Holiday Season 
• Practical strategies for responding to your child's disappointment when they miss an activity
• Simple thoughts for managing your own emotions when things don't go as planned 

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 67. The Best Co-Parenting Strategy That You Already Know
• Episode 112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids
• Episode 113. How to Respond When Being Disregarded, Devalued or Dismissed by Your Former Spouse
• Episode 135. How to Set Appropriate Boundaries and Negotiate Well with Your Ex-Spouse 
• Episode 33. How to Cope with a Difficult Ex and Protect Your Kids
• Episode 31. 3 Unexpected Ways to Improve How You Cope with Your Ex
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 84. How to Cope with sadness, anxiety and longing while your kids are gone

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/freesessio 

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

We would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts 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 From This Episode:

Episode 36. How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection with Special Guest Mark Warren 

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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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!

Have you ever felt like you got stuck in a difficult conversation before it even got started?

You know that feeling — like this is going downhill fast and you just don't know how it got so heated and emotionally-charged so fast.

We've experienced this kind of interaction hundreds (maybe thousands) of times over the years!  Those are the moments we feel disconnected and divided.  And we're left wondering how we'll ever be able to talk about sensitive topics and work through problems.

But almost 12 years ago, Mike kinda stumbled across a communication strategy in a training where he worked.  It was a simple little framework for getting a difficult conversation started without kicking off defensiveness and anger.

As we both started learning this framework together, it was amazing how much better our communication became.  We were able to learn how to navigate the critical first 30 seconds of a difficult conversation well and after a bit of practice we were able to communicate on a whole new level.

We're sharing that simple little framework today on the podcast because we want you to experience that same transformation in your communication.

The truth is, communication is a skill and we can all get better at it. 

You'll Discover:

• The 'Hazardous Half Minute' of a conversation that can set you up for disaster OR success
• A simple 3-step framework to positively influence communication around sensitive topics and help you work through touchy issues

Resources from this Episode:

• Book:  Crucial Conversations
• Episode 35:  Are You Controlling Conflict or is Conflict Controlling You?

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