Blended Family Breakthrough

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!

We've heard it said that behavior is the visible expression of invisible issues — it's the warning light on the dashboard. 

Often, it's the warning light of our child's misbehavior that catches our attention, but what are the invisible issues going on under the surface?

Usually, it's difficult emotions. 

When kids experience something troubling, negative emotions will naturally arise and often they aren't even aware of what's going on inside.  Because kids lack emotional maturity, they tend to misbehave simply because they haven't yet learned how to manage the difficult emotions they're experiencing.

That means your kids and step-kids need your help!

If the kids living in your home tend to emotionally express themselves by getting angry, disrespectful, anxious, acting out, or withdrawing from the family (just to name a few), this episode is for you.

Learning to become 'Emotion Coaching Parents' has been a game changer for us and it's one of the best things we've done to equip our kids for adulthood.  Discover the difference you can make in your kids' lives by following along this week with our 4 part mini-series on raising an emotionally intelligent child.   

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 132. How does loss and grief impact blended family integration?
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 28. What if what you think is defiance is actually something else? (Counter will)
• Episode 74. How to develop appropriate and effective consequences that empower responsibility
• Parenting Style Quiz (from John Gottman)
• Book by John Gottman:  Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child 
• Emotions Chart  (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel Sticker (for teens/adults)

Ready for some extra support?

We're here to help.  Schedule your free coaching call here:   https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

We've heard it said that behavior is the visible expression of invisible issues — it's the warning light on the dashboard. 

Often, it's the warning light of our child's misbehavior that catches our attention, but what are the invisible issues going on under the surface?

Usually, it's difficult emotions. 

When kids experience something troubling, negative emotions will naturally arise and often they aren't even aware of what's going on inside.  Because kids lack emotional maturity, they tend to misbehave simply because they haven't yet learned how to manage the difficult emotions they're experiencing.

That means your kids and step-kids need your help!

If the kids living in your home tend to emotionally express themselves by getting angry, disrespectful, anxious, acting out, or withdrawing from the family (just to name a few), this episode is for you.

Learning to become 'Emotion Coaching Parents' has been a game changer for us and it's one of the best things we've done to equip our kids for adulthood.  Discover the difference you can make in your kids' lives by following along this week with our 4 part mini-series on raising an emotionally intelligent child.   

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 132. How does loss and grief impact blended family integration?
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 28. What if what you think is defiance is actually something else? (Counter will)
• Episode 74. How to develop appropriate and effective consequences that empower responsibility
• Parenting Style Quiz (from John Gottman)
• Book by John Gottman:  Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child 
• Emotions Chart  (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel Sticker (for teens/adults)

Ready for some extra support?

We're here to help.  Schedule your free coaching call here:   https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

We've heard it said that behavior is the visible expression of invisible issues — it's the warning light on the dashboard. 

Often, it's the warning light of our child's misbehavior that catches our attention, but what are the invisible issues going on under the surface?

Usually, it's difficult emotions. 

When kids experience something troubling, negative emotions will naturally arise and often they aren't even aware of what's going on inside.  Because kids lack emotional maturity, they tend to misbehave simply because they haven't yet learned how to manage the difficult emotions they're experiencing.

That means your kids and step-kids need your help!

If the kids living in your home tend to emotionally express themselves by getting angry, disrespectful, anxious, acting out, or withdrawing from the family (just to name a few), this episode is for you.

Learning to become 'Emotion Coaching Parents' has been a game changer for us and it's one of the best things we've done to equip our kids for adulthood.  Discover the difference you can make in your kids' lives by following along this week with our 4 part mini-series on raising an emotionally intelligent child.   

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 132. How does loss and grief impact blended family integration?
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 28. What if what you think is defiance is actually something else? (Counter will)
• Episode 74. How to develop appropriate and effective consequences that empower responsibility
• Parenting Style Quiz (from John Gottman)
• Book by John Gottman:  Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child 
• Emotions Chart  (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel Sticker (for teens/adults)

Ready for some extra support?

We're here to help.  Schedule your free coaching call here:   https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

We've heard it said that behavior is the visible expression of invisible issues — it's the warning light on the dashboard. 

Often, it's the warning light of our child's misbehavior that catches our attention, but what are the invisible issues going on under the surface?

Usually, it's difficult emotions. 

When kids experience something troubling, negative emotions will naturally arise and often they aren't even aware of what's going on inside.  Because kids lack emotional maturity, they tend to misbehave simply because they haven't yet learned how to manage the difficult emotions they're experiencing.

That means your kids and step-kids need your help!

If the kids living in your home tend to emotionally express themselves by getting angry, disrespectful, anxious, acting out, or withdrawing from the family (just to name a few), this episode is for you.

Learning to become 'Emotion Coaching Parents' has been a game changer for us and it's one of the best things we've done to equip our kids for adulthood.  Discover the difference you can make in your kids' lives by following along this week with our 4 part mini-series on raising an emotionally intelligent child. 
  

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 132. How does loss and grief impact blended family integration?
• Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
• Episode 28. What if what you think is defiance is actually something else? (Counter will)
• Episode 74. How to develop appropriate and effective consequences that empower responsibility
• Parenting Style Quiz (from John Gottman)
• Book by John Gottman:  Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child 
• Emotions Chart  (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel (for young kids)
• Feel Wheel Sticker (for teens & adults)

Ready for some extra support?

We're here to help.  Schedule your free coaching call here:  https://calendl

Resources

Episode 59 & 60. Why are you stuck in a parent-child allegiance?
Episode 139. The Most Common Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences
Episode 98. Is fear of being vulnerable keeping you from loving your spouse wholeheartedly?
Episode 99. 3 Tips to Help You Move Beyond Painful Guild and Regret
Episode 4. Can you overcome your parenting style differences?
Episode 167. 3 Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family

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!

Many of us tend to believe we need to quickly establish our couple relationship as the foundation of our home, right?

And yes, that's the goal…

…eventually.

In a blended family, it's unrealistic to expect this to happen right away.  And if you've been trying to "force it", you've probably run into all kinds of challenges.

Successfully blending a family requires a well-thought-out strategy because the structure is simply different than a first family.

This can be confusing and frustrating for blended couples who are ready to merge their family and make their relationship the foundation of their home.

Why?

Because it's just NOT as simple or easy as we think it should be. 

Often, our expectations and experiences seem to be at odds.  Particularly when it comes to making decisions and prioritize our time, energy and resources.  

And, of course, our kids and step-kids have their own expectations as well. 

In this episode, we'll share 3 achievable strategies to appropriately prioritize your marriage to establish it as the foundation of your home.

Understanding and managing these delicate dynamics is one of the most important aspects of blending.  Doing this well can make or break the future of your relationship — and your family!  

You'll Discover:

• 3 specific strategies to focus on as you establish your marriage as the foundation of your home
• How blended family structure is different than a first family — and why it's important to understand these unique dynamics
• How to meet everyone's needs without feeling overwhelmed or stuck

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 139.  The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger dynamic)
• Episode 49.  Should You Highest Priority be Your Marriage…Or Your Kids?
• Episode 72.  The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships
• Episode 130.  How to Build Trust that Nurtures Bonds with Your Kids & Step-Kids 
• Episode 40.  Uncover the Unspoken Feelings of Kids in Blended Families
• Episode 132.  How Does Loss and Grief Impact Blended Family Integration?
• Episode 37.  Why do Kids Struggle to Accept their Stepparent?
• Episode 46.  How to Focus When Your Step-Kids are Ruining Your Marriage
• Episode 35.  Are You Controlling Conflict or is it Controlling You?
• Episode 63.  5 Strategies to Help You Get United - Even When You Disagree

Ready for some extra support?

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 

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Ready to join the "Blending Together" community?  Just click this link:  https://learning.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!

Have the challenges of blending a family ever left you feeling alone?

Maybe you've felt like you're the only one experiencing the unique realities of blended family life.

Maybe you're struggling with parenting complexities and your friends just don't get it.  Or communication is tense in your couple relationship and your extended family can't seem to understand why.

Maybe the kids are acting out or shutting down and it's hard to explain to everyone around you.  Or maybe there's ongoing chaos stirred up by a difficult Ex and everyone's "advice" doesn't seem to be helpful.

The truth is, regardless of the challenges you're facing — you are NOT alone!  

In this episode, we're connecting with a couple from our blended family support community.  Chris and Nicole are one of our founding members who felt "isolated" and "horrible" before getting connected to our community.

Listen in to discover how a community of other blended couples can empower you to make a difference in your home — just like Chris and Nicole who didn't stay stuck in their pain and confusion. 

If you've ever felt alone in your blending journey, this is the episode for you.  And who knows, you might discover that a community focused on growth, practical tools, and genuine support could be exactly what you're looking for.

And if you're ready to join the "Blending Together" community right away, just click this link:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

You'll Discover:

• How one of our founding member couples - Chris and Nicole - have benefitted from our supportive community called "Blending Together"
• How you (and your family ) might overcome challenges through a growth-minded community full of couples that are in the same boat as you
• Whether our "Blending Together" community is the place for you to take the next positive step in your blending journey

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger Dynamic)
• Episode 145. Do you feel alone and isolated navigating the challenges of stepfamily life?
• Join the Community here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

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 

If you're like me (Mike), when you encounter a challenging situation, you're determined to successfully conquer it.  You'll jump right in by engaging with lots of resources like books or podcasts — and reaching out for professional support if needed. You don't want to stay stuck and you're all about new learning and growth.

But if this does NOT describe you, maybe you're more naturally like Kim.  She tends to be more comfortable staying stuck in a challenge much longer than I am.  She has her own unique perspectives on how to approach a challenge and moves at a different pace than me.  Seeking and engaging in new learning is outside her comfort zone and she's more resistant to growth.

The truth is that Kim WAS like this in our early years of blending.  Her "fixed" mindset and my "growth" mindset put us in opposition to how to move forward in facing our challenges.  

And our different mindsets ended up creating even MORE challenging situations for us as a couple -  it was difficult to stay united and we were often frustrated with each other.

But eventually, we figured out how to overcome our opposing mindsets and work as a team to make real progress in our blended family challenges.

In this episode, we'll explore the importance of mindset and offer practical tips for cultivating a growth mindset (which Kim has used over the years).  We'll also share how we were able to get on the same page with growth while honoring our individual differences.

You'll Discover:

• The difference between  a growth mindset and a fixed mindset
• The benefits of cultivating a growth mindset while leading your blended family
• Practical ways to move toward a growth mindset - even if you tend to naturally resist growth or experience tough emotions
• A helpful approach in supporting and encouraging your fixed-minded partner without adding pressure and unrealistic expectation 

Resources from this Episode:

• We mentioned the book Soundtracks by Jon Acuff

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!