The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, continues her interview with stepmom Shelley. Shelley was a guest on podcast episode 192 but there was more to talk about. She has four bio kids and three stepkids. Things got so bad at one point, she actually moved out of the home for 16 months. Like many bio parents, Shelley experienced some craziness with the family court system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Moving out of the home because of the stepkids

• Feeling husband picked his kids over her

• Responding versus reacting

• The Family Court system

• Disrespect between couples

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"Thank you for everything you guys do. I've been a long time listener over the years and am signing up for round number two [of the Nacho Kids Academy] for a nacho refresher." - K.N.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews stepmom Nicole. Nicole has been blending for over two years, has two stepkids and her partner has a stepkid from a previous relationship that he refers to as his son. Although her partner was a stepdad, he doesn't see her struggles as a stepmom.

In this episode we discuss:

• Being a childless stepmom

• Things change

• Realizing your contributions to the issues

• Transition days

• Very little "no kid" time

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

" The Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Method changed my life! I used to hate my stepkids and wanted to throw in the towel. Now, I truly enjoy being around them now! I NEVER thought this would happen! I also learned to apply the Nacho method to other areas of my life! It is not only for helping blended families, it's a way of life!" ~ D.S.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews stepmom Mel. Mel is a childfree stepmom, has been blending about four years, has three stepkids and her partner is 23 years older than her.

In this episode we discuss:

• Being a childfree stepmom

• Age gaps between partners

• Different bonds with different kids

• Setting boundaries

• Transition days

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

" I just started to nacho this week and our relationship was better this week…" ~ D.M.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interviews stepmom Shelley. Shelley has four bio kids and three stepkids. Like most blended families, in the beginning, things were good. Until they weren't.

In this episode we discuss:

• Both adults bringing "babies" into the blend
• Guilty Parent Syndrome
• Dealing with different types of stepparents
• Different parenting styles/expectations
• Expectations of stepparents

Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting Success Story:

"I just wanted to say thank you. I learned about you a few years ago, probably during one of the hardest years of my life. Newly married with a stepdaughter and a very complex bio-mother situation. I spent that year holed up in my room reading books and listening to podcasts about stepparenting. I have come a long way since then and can see the light now. Your approach has been instrumental in that transition. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." ~ JJ

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David, founders of Nacho Kids Nacho Parenting, interview the Professional Stepdad, Franco Zavala. Franco has been blending for 13 years, has no biological children, and has five stepkids. The bio dad to Franco's stepkids passed away.

In this episode we discuss:

• Being a stepdad to kids whose dad is deceased
• Being a childless stepdad
• Misconceptions of Nacho Parenting
• Letting the bio parent parent

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids, interviews stepmom Carol. Carol has been married for two years, has three stepkids, and two bio kids. Two of the stepkids are a lot younger than her bio kids. Carol and her husband have had to deal with a high-conflict bio mom who has tried to damage their marriage.

In this episode we discuss:

• Finding the balance
• Letting the bio parents parent
• Parental alienation
• Dealing with a high conflict bio mom
• Custody battles

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids, interviews stepmom Jamie. Jamie has been blending for 12 years. She has two stepkids, two bio kids, and one surprise "ours" kid. Jamie and her husband have to deal with a high-conflict bio mom and had to go to court to get permission to take the kids to Disney. When one of Jamie's stepkids didn't want to go to their moms anymore, her husband went to court, and the judge ended up taking time away from him and giving bio mom custody.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dealing with a high conflict bio mom
• The court system taking time away from bio dad
• You knew what you were getting into
• Stepfamily stigma in churches
• Transition days

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids, interviews a stepmom from Washington. She has been with her husband for 12 years, but technically became a stepmom 3 years ago when the stepkid moved in full-time suddenly.

In this episode we discuss:

• Becoming a stepmom full-time
• When the bio mom abandons the stepkid
• Stepmom coming in trying to fix things
• Stepmom realizing she needs to Nacho

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids, and Emili Wadkins from The Unapologetic Stepmom chat! Emili was a guest on episode #13 of the Nacho Podcast over three years ago! Emili has been blending for eight years, has 2 stepkids, and four ours kids.

• Fitting the ours kids lives into the stepkids lives
• Nachoing and relationship with the Nacho Kid
• Stepfamily expectations
• Court system
• Child support
• Growing as a stepmom

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori, co-founder of Nacho Kids, interviews Dr. James & Ginger Dellaripa. James and Ginger have been blending for 12 years. Ginger brought one child into the marriage, James brought two kids into the marriage, and they have two "ours" kids. As a couple, they have created The Family Core. The Family Core is a family resource planning system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Bringing ours kids into the blend
• Parallel parenting
• Eight year-court battle
• Kids get along great
• The Family Core system