In this special Easter bonus episode of "Raising His Kids," Toni and Lauren reunite after a much-needed mental health break following Toni's surgery. Join us as we catch up on the past three weeks and share our plans for Easter!

We're diving into our blended family Easter plans and traditions, as well as those from all of our listeners. From Easter egg hunts to special dinners, we're sharing how we make the holiday meaningful for our families. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Whether you're celebrating with a big family gathering or enjoying a quiet weekend at home, we hope this episode brings you joy and inspiration for your Easter celebrations.

Grab your coffee or wine and join us for this special pre-Easter bonus episode of "Raising His Kids"!

Happy Easter from Toni and Lauren!

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While Toni is absent recovering from surgery, join host Lauren for a captivating episode of Raising His Kids as she dives into the nuanced world of childfree/childless stepparenting. Drawing from her own experiences as a childless stepmom for six years prior to having an 'ours' baby last year, she delves into the challenges and triumphs of navigating this unique path. Accompanying her is our friend and the esteemed author of 'What to Expect When You Weren't Expecting', returning guest Jyl Barlow, who adds valuable insights to the conversation.

In this episode, Lauren and Jyl revisit the topic of childfree stepparenting, providing a supportive space for listeners who resonate with this journey. They address listener questions, offering empathetic advice on managing past relationships, setting boundaries with stepchildren, and blending families during significant events like weddings. Amidst the serious discussions, join Lauren and Jyl for lots of laughs as they infuse humor into the conversation.

Furthermore, the episode features an anonymous story shared by a stepmom grappling with the discomfort of her stepchildren's bio mom's use of location tracking technology. Together, Lauren and Jyl analyze the situation and provide guidance on navigating boundaries and communication in blended family dynamics.

Tune in as Lauren and Jyl provide a wealth of wisdom and support for those traversing the intricate landscape of childfree stepparenting, offering practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement along the way.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

Welcome to a special unscripted and unfiltered Whinge & Bitch episode of "Raising His Kids," where Toni and Lauren dive headfirst into the whirlwind of listener vents, whinges, and bitches. With no script or show notes, they take a spontaneous approach, reading out the unfiltered frustrations and challenges shared by their audience.

From typical struggles of a stepmother to co-parenting catastrophes, no topic is off-limits as Toni and Lauren provide a safe space for listeners to air their grievances and share their experiences. With humor, empathy, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, they navigate through the chaos of blended family life while offering support and understanding to their community.

So sit back, relax, and join Toni and Lauren for an unfiltered journey through the highs and lows of raising his kids. Whether you're nodding along in solidarity or shaking your head in disbelief, this episode is sure to leave you feeling understood and validated in the rollercoaster ride of blended family dynamics.

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In this episode of "Raising His Kids," hosts Lauren and Toni delve into the intricate world of control within the realm of stepmotherhood. Join them as they navigate the complexities of finding balance and influence in blended family dynamics.

From the desire for authority to the struggle of relinquishing control, Lauren and Toni candidly share their experiences and insights, offering practical tips and strategies for navigating the challenges that arise when control feels elusive.

Listeners will gain valuable advice on communication, self-care, setting realistic expectations, and practicing patience and flexibility. The hosts also address common listener questions, providing empathetic guidance on dealing with high-conflict situations, managing emotions, transitioning between hands-on and nacho parenting styles, and coping with feelings of jealousy.

Tune in to discover how to make peace with the moments when control slips away and embrace a more mindful and empowered approach to stepmotherhood.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

In this episode of "Raising His Kids," hosts Toni and Lauren delve into the complexities of blended family dynamics, with a focus on the intricate topic of house rules. They explore the implications of setting boundaries around body piercings and social media within blended family environments, acknowledging the unique challenges that arise in these situations.

Drawing from insights shared by renowned parenting experts like Australia's Justin Coulson, the hosts discuss the traditional perspectives on these issues, emphasising safety, self-esteem, and mental well-being as primary concerns. However, they go on to highlight the discrepancy between the advice tailored to nuclear families and the realities faced by blended families. Unlike the more straightforward dynamics of nuclear households, blended families often grapple with additional layers of complexity, such as navigating co-parenting dynamics, managing conflicting parenting styles, and mitigating the impact of parental disagreements on children.

Toni and Lauren share personal anecdotes and reflections, including their own experiences with disagreements over devices & social media usage, illustrating the challenges of maintaining consistency across households. They emphasise the importance of open communication, flexibility, and compromise in navigating these sensitive issues, offering practical co-parenting strategies to foster harmony and understanding.

Additionally, the hosts share responses from their listeners and blended family community, providing a glimpse into the diverse array of difficulties faced by families in similar situations. By offering advice and empathy, Toni and Lauren aim to create a supportive space for listeners to feel understood and empowered in their own blended family journey.

Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and practical tips for navigating house rules in blended families, and discover how prioritising the well-being of children can strengthen family bonds amidst challenging circumstances.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

In this episode of "Raising His Kids," hosts Lauren and Toni tackle the often-overlooked topic of stepmom guilt. They delve into the complexities of this emotion, discussing common triggers such as feeling like an outsider in family events and societal stereotypes. The hosts explore the impact of stepmom guilt on relationships within the blended family and provide practical coping strategies, emphasizing self-compassion and setting realistic expectations. Drawing from listener responses & personal experience, they shed light on real-life experiences, including struggles with balancing personal and family obligations, feelings of resentment and burnout, and the challenges of building bonds with stepchildren. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder to stepmoms everywhere that they are not alone in their feelings of guilt and that seeking support and practicing self-care are essential in navigating this aspect of blended family life.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

Love is in the air on this special Valentine's Day episode of Raising His Kids! Join Toni & Lauren as they celebrate love and relationships in blended families.

From the rollercoaster of complexities and joys to heartwarming anecdotes and practical tips for celebrating Valentine's Day as a stepmother or in a blended family setting, this episode is brimming with love, laughter, and plenty of heartwarming moments & traditions.

Plus, don't miss our Step-Mothers Anonymous segment, where a stepmother seeks advice on maintaining her poker face when her stepson mentions his mother.

So grab your coffee and wine, and tune in to this delightful Valentine's Day special of Raising His Kids. Let's celebrate the beauty of blended love and the magic of hallmark holidays together!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

In this special episode of "Raising His Kids," join Toni for a rollercoaster behind the scenes as she compiles previously unpublished audio from Episodes 27, 28, 29, 30, and 36. Delve into unfiltered conversations, candid moments, and unexpected gems that didn't make it into the final cuts.

From heartfelt laughter to thought-provoking reflections, this compilation offers a raw and authentic look at all that goes into "Raising His Kids." Hear the unscripted banter, the shared experiences, and the genuine connections that define the essence of this podcast.

Don't miss this exclusive peek behind the curtain, where every unspoken word and every unrecorded laugh finds its place in the narrative of blended family life. You'll hear the voices of Toni herself, as well as Lauren, Kassandra, Bekks, and the unforgettable Madison.

So grab your coffee or your wine and tune in for a rollercoaster of emotions, a celebration of resilience, as we leave you with the reminder that even the moments left on the cutting room floor hold their own magic.

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In this unscripted episode of "Raising His Kids," your host Toni takes the lead solo as Lauren recovers. Join Toni for a heartfelt conversation with Kassandra Martinez from We Are Familyish as they explore the intricate journey from being a stepmother to becoming the biological mother on the other side of a blended family.

The discussion delves into the challenges of navigating an ours baby pregnancy, overcoming the complexities of miscarriages, and the profound realisation of being in an abusive relationship – and ultimately finding the strength to break free.

This candid episode covers a spectrum of topics, including Kassandra's impactful book for stepfamilies, "Before You," and offers a sneak peek into her upcoming projects. Tune in for a genuine exploration of blended family dynamics, personal journeys, and the resilient path from one Bio Mum to another Bio Mom.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions and celebrations in this episode of "Raising His Kids." Join hosts Lauren and Toni as they dive into the controversy of the upcoming Australian national holiday Australia Day, the excitement surrounding Miss K's fourth birthday, and the mayhem that comes with the back-to-school season.

Toni shares her perspective on Australia Day, reflecting on the evolving nature of this national celebration. Meanwhile, excitement fills the air as the hosts delve into the birthday plans for Miss K, exploring the joy of having a national holiday coincide with a special family milestone.

As the conversation seamlessly transitions to the back-to-school season, Lauren opens up about her thoughts and preparations for sending the kids back to school. The hosts discuss the blend of emotions during this busy time, asking listeners if they're feeling prepared and organized or embracing the chaos with a "let's see how it goes" attitude.

In the midst of the chaos, Lauren and Toni emphasize the importance of traditions and rituals in blended families during significant moments like the back-to-school season. They share their own family rituals and invite listeners to join the conversation by revealing their unique traditions.

But that's not all! The episode also features listener responses received prior to recording, adding a community touch to the podcast. Tune in for a blend of celebrations, preparations, and chaotic yet heartwarming moments in this episode of "Raising His Kids."

Don't forget to follow us on social media @Raisinghiskids, join our Patreon for exclusive content, and become a part of our Facebook group where you can interact with us directly, share your stories, and offer support to others.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/raising-his-kids/donations