This week, Jyl and I dive deep into the complexities of blended family life, mental health, and health struggles. I open up about my ongoing battle with chronic pain and the decision to undergo a hysterectomy, as well as how my journey with health impacts my family dynamics. I also share a raw and honest update on where things currently stand in my relationship with lil J.

We explore how life often throws unexpected curveballs and how we adjust, even when things don’t go to plan. From the highs and lows of motherhood and stepmotherhood to the importance of knowing your limits, this episode is packed with personal stories, reflection, and a whole lot of real talk.

Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that will leave you reflecting on your own experiences and the chaos that is life.

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Toni and Jyl unpack the highs and lows of blended family life, sharing practical advice for step-parents, bio-parents, and anyone navigating the complexities of a blended home. They explore the importance of one-on-one time with kids, maintaining strong emotional connections, and coping with transitions—both in family and in life. Jyl also opens up about the challenges of marketing her book after the loss of her mum, and the emotional layers of her relationship with her stepdaughter. This episode offers heartfelt insight and inspiration for anyone juggling family, grief, and growth.

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Easter in a blended family isn’t always sunshine, chocolate, and matching bunny ears. Sometimes it’s tears, tension, and total exhaustion.  

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a voice-note-style chat straight from the heart—for anyone whose Easter felt heavy, overwhelming, or just a bit off.  

We’re talking last-minute plan changes, forgotten bags, overstimulated kids, being left out of family lunches, and the emotional whiplash that comes with holidays in a blended home.  

And if this year actually felt peaceful for you? I’m celebrating that too.  

Take a deep breath, pop your headphones in, and let this be the little bit of validation you didn’t know you needed.

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This week, I’m joined by Bella Duncan, the inspiring voice behind A Kid With Two Homes. Bella’s parents separated when she was just three years old, and for over 20 years she’s lived the reality of growing up between two homes. Now, with degrees in law and psychology, she uses her story to advocate for kids navigating family separation and to help co-parents truly understand the child’s perspective.

In this episode, Bella shares what it was like growing up with two homes and the emotional weight of not wanting to hurt either parent. She opens up about the guilt that would creep in during everyday moments—like when a kid on the playground would ask which house she liked better—and speaks candidly about what she wishes her parents had done differently so she didn’t feel caught in the middle of their divorce.

This is a powerful conversation about empathy, reflection, and doing better for the next generation of kids living in blended or separated families.

🔗 Connect with Bella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akidwithtwohomes?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

https://linktr.ee/akidwithtwohomes?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f0e0d38b-9cbe-4507-95b2-1f9f5f6484d6 

📲 Learn more: https://www.akidwithtwohomes.com/

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In this episode, I sit down with Carissa, the founder of Co-Parenting in Harmony, a Facebook group dedicated to helping women find peace in their co-parenting journey. Carissa is preparing to marry her fiancé and blend families with his 19-year-old twins, all while raising her 9-year-old child. 

We discuss the challenges of introducing a new partner to your kids, setting boundaries as a step-parent, and the emotional complexities of co-parenting with a difficult ex. Carissa shares her journey to reduce conflict in her life and helps others do the same through her support group.

If you're navigating the ups and downs of co-parenting or step-parenting, this episode is for you!  

📌 Check out Co-Parenting in Harmony on Facebook to connect with others seeking peace in their co-parenting relationships. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AAF5fdg64/

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Blended family life isn’t always smooth sailing, and today’s guest, Erika, knows that firsthand. In this episode, she opens up about the reality of step-parenting with a high-conflict bio mum in the mix, the challenges of co-parenting, and why she chose to disengage to protect her peace.  

We also talk about adding an ‘ours’ baby into the dynamic—how it shifted relationships, what she wishes she had known beforehand, and how she’s making it work.  

If you’re a stepmother struggling with boundaries, co-parenting drama, or just trying to find balance in it all, this episode is for you! 

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Co-parenting is already challenging, but when a natural disaster hits, everything gets thrown into chaos. In this episode, I’m joined by Bekks to unpack what it was like co-parenting through Cyclone Alfred—navigating custody changes, safety concerns, and high-stress communication with an ex while trying to keep the kids safe.  

We also share listener stories from parents who had to make tough calls, stand their ground, or face unexpected co-parenting conflicts when disaster struck. Because when the storm hits, the challenges don’t just come from the weather.  

Tune in for real talk, real experiences, and the lessons learned from co-parenting through a natural disaster.

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In this episode of Raising His Kids, I sit down with Sally, a solo mum by choice, to talk about her incredible journey from co-parenting challenges, to choosing to become a solo mum by choice and everything in between.

Sally first became a mum after escaping a DV relationship and navigating a complex custody arrangement with her ex. Over the years, she’s faced financial struggles, co-parenting manipulation, and medical disagreements while working hard to protect her son’s well-being. Now, as her nearly 16-year-old son starts forming his own opinions—and potentially his first job—we dive into how this impacts visitation and their evolving dynamic.

Sally also shares how she later chose to grow her family through IVF, the emotional and financial realities of solo motherhood, and the unexpected gift of connecting with her youngest child’s donor siblings. This conversation is raw, insightful, and packed with wisdom for anyone navigating solo parenting, high-conflict co-parenting, or blended family complexities.

Topics we cover:

🔹 The challenges of co-parenting with a manipulative and financially absent ex

🔹 Managing a child’s expectations of a parent who isn’t showing up

🔹 The realities of IVF and solo motherhood—costs, time, and emotional toll

🔹 Navigating teen independence, first jobs, and changing visitation schedules

🔹 Connecting with donor siblings and redefining what ‘family’ means

This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

👉 Listen now and let me know your thoughts!

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Blended family life comes with its fair share of chaos, but some stories are truly next-level. In this episode, Kassandra from We Are Familyish joins me to share some of the wildest, most unhinged blended family moments—think false assault accusations, unexpected police station visits, wedding crashers, and co-parenting demands that will leave you speechless.  

From bio mums using location tracking to show up uninvited to court order claims that don’t even exist, we’re diving into the kind of drama you just can’t make up. If you’ve ever felt like your blended family roller coaster is out of control, trust me—you’re not alone!  

Disclosure: We had a bit of lag and some technical difficulties during recording, which made it sound like we were talking over each other at times. I did my best to clean it up, but a few moments couldn’t be fully edited out—thanks for bearing with us!

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In this episode, I’m joined by Jo, a stepmum navigating life in a neurodivergent blended family. With ADHD herself, a husband managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and two stepkids with autism, ADHD, and PTSD, Jo’s home is full of unique challenges and strengths. We talk about regulation, coping strategies, and how nachoing has helped her set boundaries while still being a supportive stepmum.  

We also answer listener questions on navigating neurodivergence in blended families, including co-parenting challenges, diagnosis struggles, and non-medication strategies for ADHD.  

I do want to apologise for a few technical difficulties in this episode that I wasn’t able to completely remove in editing. Thanks for sticking with me—I promise the conversation is still well worth the listen!  

Hit play and let’s dive in! 

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