The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

In this episode, Lori and David, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talk with one of David's sons, and Lori's stepsons, Ethan. Ethan was a guest on episode 83 a little over three years ago. Listen as they talk about how things have changed in the past few years.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Step grandparents

• Relationships between stepmom and stepkids

• Different types of love

• When the stepkid boomerangs

• Relationships between bio and stepkid

Nacho Kids Academy Success Story:

"I felt so alone. I had no one that understood what I was going through until I found Nacho Kids. I listened to the first podcast and immediately joined the Nacho Kids Academy because I knew they were my people! Lori & David really care about other people and it shows. They go above and beyond in their Academy to help you achieve success in Nachoing! ~ K.F.

In this episode, Lori, founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talks with a stepmom who has been blending for five years. She has two stepkids, three bio kids, and one ours kid. The father of her bio kids passed away a few years ago and that has created new challenges in the blend.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Having all the kids, all the time

• High conflict bio mom

• Equality in the blend

• Boundaries

• Feeling you are giving up control

Nacho Kids Academy Success Story:

"I thought this Nacho stuff was a bunch of crap when I heard about it years ago. Who would say their stepkids weren't their kids? Only horrible people! Well, I turned into this person. I didn't turn into a horrible person, but was slapped in the face with the reality that they weren't my kids, I then understood why people Nacho. I didn't need this the first eight years, but then things changed. Thankfully I decided to try to hear what this nacho stuff was about, and joined the Academy. You all will not believe how awesome this stuff is! It is pure gold! It has helped me with the blended challenges, with issues at work and within my relationships with my own biological mother and father! Nacho on my fellow Nacho Tribe! " ~ R.H.

In this episode, Lori and David Sims, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talk about communication. Specifically what you say versus what you mean and what you hear versus what was said. Communication is vital to every relationship, and it's important to make sure you are clear in what you are saying and that you aren't misunderstanding what is being said.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• What you say

• What you don't say

• What they say

• What we hear

Nacho Kids Academy Success Story:

"If I could, I'd fly to Lori and David and hug their necks! They are the reason my partner and I are still together. They are the reason we fought for our relationship instead of giving up when things were hard!. They are just awesome! I love them!" ~ S.M.

In this episode, Lori and David Sims, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talk about wills and estate planning in the blend. Should a stepparent be expected to leave their stepkids something in their will? Should a stepparent be expected to leave their stepkids the same thing they leave their bio kids? What is fair?

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Expectations of stepparents to put stepkids in their wills.

• How bio kids would feel if stepkids were put in bio parents will.

• Does it need to be equal between step and bio kids?

• Talking to an estate planning attorney.

• Should you purchase life insurance to just have something to leave your kids/stepkids?

Nacho Kids Academy Success Story:

"My life sucked so bad. I hated waking up every day. I ran across the Nacho Kids podcast and heard about the Academy. I joined immediately. It was the best decision I ever made. I feel like the old me and love myself and my life again. I can't thank Lori and David enough for what they do for stepfamiies." ~ C.N.

In this episode, Lori and David Sims, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talk about how stepparents often feel they have no control in their blended home.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• No control over the stepkids.

• No control over how your partner parents.

• No control over the other parent.

• The ultimate control is letting go of things you can't control, but instead controlling how you let things affect you.

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I recently heard about Nacho Kids from my therapist. She told me to join the Academy and give it 30 days. Boy what a difference taking the Nacho Boot Camp made in our blend! My therapist is even amazed at how things improved so quickly in our blend!" ~ R.H.

In this episode, Lori and David Sims, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, share some Nacho rules with listeners.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• You can't expect your significant other to parent like you think they should.

• You can't control what happens at the "other parent's house".

• You can't discipline them like your own.

• You can't expect the stepkids to treat you with respect if your significant other doesn't make them.

• You can't feel guilty for not loving them like your own.

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I would like to start off by saying how blessed I am to have stumbled upon your podcast a couple of months back. You all have not only saved my marriage but also played such an important role in my life as a stepmom and mom of an ours baby." ~ S.A.

In this episode, Lori and David Sims, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, share some Nacho rules with listeners.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• You can't say anything negative to or about the stepkid.

• You can't expect more from the stepkid than their own bio parents do.

• You can't care more about the stepkids than the bio parents do.

• You can't parent them like your own.

• You can't expect them to treat you as their parent, because you're not.

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I never thought I would need help with blending. After all, I am a marriage counselor! I'm not supposed to need help. Well, I did. I needed help navigating this blend and am so thankful for Lori and David's Nacho program! Now I can enjoy my blend and not feel like I'm a failure as a marriage counselor.." ~ S.Y.

In this episode, Lori Sims, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talks to a stepmom who has been blending for seven years. She has two bio kids, whose fathers are not in the picture, and she has four stepkids with three different bio moms. She considers one of the stepkids as her own.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Being a stepkid and a stepmom

• Loving one stepkid as your own

• When your bio kids other parent is absent

• When the bio parent remarries quickly

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"This blended family stuff about took me out. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. Thankfully, I found the Nacho Kids Academy and it gave me the tools to lower my stress and focus on my relationship with my partner." ~ H.W.

** Disclaimer- Accusation Of Abuse **

In this episode, Lori Sims, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talks to a full-time childless stepmom. This stepmom has been blending for fourteen years, and has three adult stepkids. After one of her stepkids accused her of abuse, stepmom moved out of the home. She did not return to the home until after the stepkid had moved out.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Being a childless stepmom

• Accused of abuse by stepkid

• Moving out of the blended home

• Living separately because of the stepkids

• Never being mom even though bio mom is not in the picture

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I've been on this blended family journey for three years. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. I decided to join this Nacho Academy to see if it would help. Honestly, I didn't have much hope that it would. Boy was I shocked! Within 2 weeks, I noticed a positive change in our blend. Here we are 6 months later and are happier than I ever thought we'd be. It took work, but it was so worth it!" ~ A.K.

** Disclaimer: Mention of alcoholism and miscarriage **

In this episode, Lori Sims, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, talks to Nick Rothwell. Nick is a stepdad to three stepkids. Nick realized he needed to change the way he interacted with his stepkids in order to have a better blend.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Being a stepdad and not a bio dad

• When the stepkids dad loses visitation

• Seeing the blend as a family

• Feeling the need to save your partner and their kids

• Apologizing

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"It's crazy how this Nacho stuff changed our blend! We are finally happy! Thanks Dave and Lori for all you do to save blended families like ours!" ~ F.R.