Blended Family Breakthrough

Planning the holiday budget might be something you're hoping to avoid!  It's no fun having to put a limit on your giving…right?!

But here's the toughest thing about blended family holiday budgeting — it's not really about the money at all.  It's about the emotions.

Most step-couples are dealing with dynamics that can pull them apart when they're negotiating how to spend their money.  Especially when it comes to how they want to bless their kids with gifts and experiences.

So, while it's still early in the season (kinda), let's tackle 4 Mindsets that might help you work better together when it comes to planning your holiday budget.

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/012

Blended Family Life can be a great "classroom" for our kids (and for adults) when we consider some of the positive qualities that develop.  We experience unique challenges that can shape character traits in everyone that may go unnoticed.

Being aware of the positive qualities being built into all our blended family members changes the way we show up in the middle of our difficulties.  Check out this episode to discover the 3 Super Strengths that often develop as a result of experiencing Blended Family Life.

You may just look at your challenges in a whole different way…

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/011

The holiday season for blended families isn't always the joy-filled experience many of us hope for.  We want all the challenges to be set aside — just for a few weeks — so that we can all relax and have some fun.  

But the reality is that negotiating schedules with an Ex and having a kid that copping an attitude isn't anyone's idea of fun.

Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions — this is tough stuff.  But it's wise to approach the holidays proactively!

So, in today's episode, we're sharing 8 tips that can help you navigate the Blended Family Holiday Season.  

Make sure to take on our challenge at the end!

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/010

It can be frustrating when your kids don't seem to notice the great qualities in your spouse.  You can't force them to like their step-parent, but you can help them discover all those great qualities for themselves!

Early in our blended family journey, we discovered a strategy that has helped build a deep and lasting bond between Annika (Kim's Daughter) and Mike.  

And in this episode, we're sharing that simple strategy so that you can build healthy and lasting bonds between the step-kids and step-parent in your home too! 

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/009

One of the most challenging seasons we experienced in our stepfamily journey was when my daughter suddenly turned against our family.  And it was heartbreaking to learn that her change of heart toward our home was influenced by some exaggerations and lies that she heard from my Ex.

The reality is that you can't change your Ex (even though you might really want to!)  You don't have control over what they say to the kids about you.  And when negative comments escalate to slander, it's our kids that are hurt the most.  They're often caught in the middle and confused about how to respond.

This isn't easy to navigate.  Telling your kids what they should believe usually doesn't help — it could actually make things even harder for them.  

Instead, we've discovered a way to help kids come to their own conclusions and uncover the truth for themselves.  And you can do this too — without challenging the Ex or putting the kids in the middle.

Listen to this week's episode where we'll share how we strategically shed light on the lies and diminished the toxic influence of my Ex.  

Full episode show notes & resources available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/008

Toxic Exes can impact lots of things…and it could be that nothing is more worrisome than how they impact our kids.

The good news is that you can counteract the negative influence of that Toxic Ex with some simple tools.  You can guide your kids through their difficult emotions — and you don't have to be a child psychologist to do that well!

We'll walk you through the basics of what Dr. John Gottman calls Emotion Coaching in this episode.  It's a process that any parent or step-parent can learn.

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/007

Have you ever been forced to choose between two things you love?

Kids in blended families seem to be stuck in that position a lot — specifically when it comes to "choosing" between Mom or Dad.  Even though they may not talk about it, many kids feel this way when they're moving between two homes.

It's so common that there's a name for it — Parental Allegiance

Discover the different ways kids are inadvertently impacted by Parental Allegiances and how you can support them when it really counts.

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/006

Recently, we were asked to talk about getting over past hurts and triggers.  This can be a challenging issue for blended family couples.

It's natural for us to view new relationships through the lens of our experiences with previous partners.  Even though we may have left our past behind and we're moving on, sometimes circumstances in our current relationship can remind us of a negative experience from the past.

In this episode, we'll talk about why this can be so challenging and then give you 3 specific action steps you can take to get over those hurts and triggers from your past.

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/005

Eventually, step-couples feel stuck because their parenting-styles seem to be so different.  Their differences often lead to conflict — but what if there's more to the story?  

In this episode, we'll explore what parenting-styles really are — and what most couples really mean when they are feeling frustrated that their styles are just too different.  Then we'll offer practical insights and resources that will help you take a next step toward getting united in your parenting.

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/004

Does it ever feel impossible to juggle all the relational priorities of blended family life?  We all know that maintaining personal health is a must…spending time alone as a couple will keep us connected…oh, and what about the quality time we should be having as a family?

The problem is, there never seems to be enough time to balance it all.  Our suggestion is to STOP trying to balance it all!  Instead, take a NEW approach.  Listen in on this episode to discover it for yourself…

Full episode show notes available here:  https://support.mikeandkimcoaching.com/003