ERP 313: How To Become A Successful Blended Family — An Interview With Ron Deal

Mar 29, 2022

49:07

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Episode notes

Are you one of the three Americans who have a step relationship today? Demographers expect that one out of every two Americans will be in a step relationship at some point in their lives.

It's not easy being a part of a blended family. There are way too many factors to take into account. In fact, external step-family-related variables generate a high divorce rate in the US.

It might be a lengthy and difficult process, but it is not impossible to succeed with the right mindset, guidance, and resources. And that's exactly what Ron Deal discusses in this episode. We'll go over what to expect, what activities you can do, resources, and advice for raising a healthy blended family.

Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and Preparing to Blend.

Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the FamilyLife Blended podcast.

Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website.

In this episode

7:38 Ron's motivation for a career in marriage and family therapy.

13:00 What you need to know about blended families.

19:55 A visual map to help you navigate the blended family territory.

36:06 Some growth activities that you can try.

45:04 How to get smart and guide your family forward in the right direction.

Mentioned

Preparing to Blend: The Couple's Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily (*Amazon affiliate link) (book)

Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (*Amazon affiliate link) (book)

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast Connect with Ron Deal