The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews a stepmom who has been blending for almost 3 years, has one stepkid, one bio kid and one ours kid. The hardest part of blending for her has been juggling the differences of everyone involved in the blend.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Blends created out of loss

• When your bio child longs for a family

• Not bonding with your stepkid

• Moving into the home your partner shared with their ex

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"Before I found the Nacho method and the Nacho Academy, I was depressed and wanted to give up, not only on my marriage but life in general. Being a part of the Academy helped me to understand the blended dynamics and realize I was not alone in these challenges. The Boot Camp and Change Your Thinking Challenges in the Academy were so helpful! I am thankful for Lori & David and all they do to help struggling stepfamilies! " ~ S.C.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, chats with Stepmom on the Crazy Train! She is a return guest! She was previously on our podcast on episode #125! She has been blending for eight years, has one stepson, and one bio son. She went from being a part-time stepmom to a full-time stepmom. Dealing with mental health/neurodivergence adds to their blended challenges.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Part-time to full-time stepmom

• Blending challenges with mental health/neurodivergence

• Dealing with the unknown trauma of the stepkid

• Resetting the blend

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I hated my stepkids. I resented my husband. I hated myself. I wanted to disappear. I heard an episode on the nacho kids podcast and cried. I immediately signed up for the Nacho Kids Academy! I cannot tell you how much the Academy helped me! I like my stepkids now! My husband and I get along so much better! We actually have family game night each week and everyone looks forward to it! Thank you Lori & David for saving my marriage and my life!" ~ A.J.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, chats with Claudette Chenevert - The Stepmom Coach! Claudette and Lori both have bio kids and adult stepkids. Stepparents often think things will magically get better when the stepkid turns 18. This may be the case if the stepparent's partner, the bio parent, is paying child support. Other than that, at 18, there is no magic wand, the stepkids don't disappear into adult land, and if the bio parent has guilty parent syndrome, that won't change either.

In this episode, we discuss:

• When they turn 18

• When they come back - boomerang stepkids/bio kids

• Bio parents are still parents after the kids turn 18

• Charging rent to the kids that come back

• Setting boundaries

Nacho Kids Academy Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"Best thing I ever did. The first year was complete hell but then I found Nacho Kids Academy, took a leap of faith and joined. I have been a member of the Academy for a year now and it is the best thing I ever did. ... " D.K.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, and Anna de Acosta talk about therapy! Too many people end up picking a therapist based on location and insurance, without vetting the therapist to see if they would be a good fit. More time is spent researching which air fryer is best than time spent searching for a therapist.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What to do when your partner doesn't want to get help

• Finding the right therapist

• The importance of therapy

• No shame in getting help

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I have wanted to give up MANY times. At the suggestion of a friend, I joined the Nacho Kids Academy to see if it could help. I had nothing to lose at this point. Through the Nacho Kids Academy, and Lori & David's help, I no longer have those thoughts of giving up! My relationship with my partner is so much better, my stress is amazingly lower, and my stepkid told me they loved me for the first time after only three months of my being a part of the Academy and Nachoing. I love myself and my blend now! I am so thankful I found the Nacho Academy!" L.C.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, chats with Cecile and Frank of Ella's Blended Family. The have been blending for nine years and each brought two kids into the marriage. Cecile and her kids moved into Frank and his kids' house. Best advice from Frank: "Don't take it personally."

In this episode, we discuss:

• Moving into "THEIR" house

• Bedroom assignments and kids

• Can you really treat the kids equally?

• When the stepkids are indifferent towards you

• Trying to love the stepkids when they hurt your bio kids

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"When I first heard of Nacho I thought it was the stupidest thing I had ever heard of. Several years later, my husband and I were about to call it quits. Then I saw Nacho mentioned on HLN of all places and thought I'd give it a shot. I joined the Nacho Kids Academy and within 1 week, I felt better and felt hope that I hadn't felt in a long time. Two years after doing the Academy, we are going strong! Thank you Nacho Kids for saving our marriage!" B. P.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David, co-founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, celebrate their 200th podcast episode! They talk about the Nacho Method and address some misconceptions about the method.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Nacho misconceptions

• Nacho truths

• Being a team while Nachoing

• Things won't always be this way

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"Before I learned to Nacho, I hated my blended life. Nothing we did prepared us for how hard it would be to blend. I found Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting one night as I was crying in bed trying to figure out what went so terribly wrong. I read some of the blogs and found their podcast. I listened to the podcast and immediately knew these people understood. I joined the Nacho Kids Academy the next day. I have taken the Boot Camp and Thinking Challenges and participated in other things in the Academy. I cannot tell you how much my life changed from this! Our blend isn't perfect, but we are happy! We are happy! Thank you Nacho Kids! Lori & David you are awesome! We will never forget what you have done for us." A.G.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews Alicia Krasko of "The Stepmom Side". Alicia has been blending for eight years, has two adult stepkids and a three year old "ours" daughter. Something unique about Alicia's blend is her husband is 16 years older than her! The hardest part of blending for her was finding her role in the blend.

In this episode we discuss:

• Feeling everyone in the blend would be happy if you weren't there

• Societal expectations

• Stepparent PTSD

• Everyone struggles in the blend

• Working on yourself to better your blend

• Adding an "ours" kid to the blend

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

Definitely has redeemed my sanity, my marriage & relationship with my step-son! I've been able to begin nachoing and feel a huge weight lifted from me. I can't wait to join the academy. Thank you! "

Mrs. C

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews Sarah Hurley of The Yarning Sharman. Sarah has been blending for 7 years, has one stepkid, three bio kids, and one adopted son. Her stepson lives 1300 miles away.

In this episode we discuss:

• When stepkid lives far away

• The family court system

• Being a stepkid

• Boundaries for self

• Dealing with a high conflict bio mom

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I was starting to think I was losing my mind because I was feeling so overwhelmed by the changes of being in a new home, blending, etc. - until I found you! Now I know I am not alone AND also probably not losing my mind. Thank you! " A.H.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews Toni Graham of My Blended Chaos. Toni has been blending for five years, has two stepkids, two bio kids, and one "ours" kid. This is her second blend, her first blend was when she was 19 years old and was completely different from her current blend.

In this episode we discuss:

• When bio mom gets upset that stepmom is pregnant

• Adding an "ours" kid to the blend

• Putting your marriage first

• Differences in blends

• Growing up in a blend that was like a nuclear family

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"If you are a stepmom struggling in any way, you've come to the right place. ... I could write a book on how much these podcasts and the Nacho Kids Academy have helped me personally. David and Lori, I can not thank you guys enough for bringing this concept out into the world. ... Almost every podcast I've listened to I will go from giggling my butt off to crying tears of relief, that somebody else gets it! I no longer feel alone in this stepmom journey and I feel so validated now. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys are truly amazing." M.C.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews an anonymous stepmom from Idaho. This stepmom has one stepkid full-time, one bio kid full-time, and two "ours" kids. The hardest part of her blend has been enforcing the same rules and expectations. Neither the stepkid's, nor the bio kid's other bio parent is in their lives.

In this episode we discuss:

• Having all the kids all the time

• Absent bio parents

• Deciding what's in your own kid's best interest

• Stepping back

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I cannot thank Lori & David enough for what they do! The Nacho Kids Academy truly saved my marriage and my relationships within the blend. Before the Academy, I was at wits end and ready to throw in the towel. The Academy helped me to Nacho properly, which I was not doing, and to understand the blended dynamics better while doing a lot of self-development. Our blend is so much better because of Nacho!" D.M.