FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

If a parent dies, it is devastating to a child and the other parent has to carry the load of parenting. But what if one parent is there, but absent. Many people think life would be easier if the other parent was "missing in action". It's not. That kind of ambiguity is confusing for everyone. And, how does that impact a blended family, kids, and a parent and stepparent who have to pick up all the pieces? Despite their strong faith and good intentions, Andy and Heather Hetchler were blown away by how hard it was to bring their two families together when one former spouse was an MIA parent. Eventually they made some headway and began sharing what they learned with others. This is their conversation with Ron Deal. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Andy and Heather's ministry Learn2Step. https://www.learning2step.com/ Read the Where's Mom article. https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/blended-family/stepparents/multiple-home-realities/wheres-mom/ Article Helping Children Cope With Loss: Practical Emotional Coaching.  https://www.smartstepfamilies.com/view/emotional-coaching Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com Learn about FamilyLife's other podcasts. https://www.familylife.com/podcast Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Many times the voice of the child in a blended family is drowned by the conflict and loss associated with how the couple entered the stepfamily journey. In this episode, Ron Deal invites children of divorce, Ryan Guinee and David Bowden, to share how they grew up in a stepfamily blender. They offer perspective on their experiences and progress as adult men with wives and children of their own. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about David Bowden's ministry. https://www.spokengospel.com/ Changes that Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud. https://www.christianbook.com/changes-four-practical-steps-happier-healthier/henry-cloud/9780310351788/pd/351788?event=ESRCG Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com Learn about FamilyLife's other podcasts. https://www.familylife.com/podcast Hear episode 2 of the FamilyLife Blended Podcast with guests Dave and Ann Wilson called Life in a Blender. https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/2-life-in-a-blender-dave-and-ann-wilson/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

We sometimes hear the term "broken" when people describe families that have gone through a divorce. However, Ron Deal suggests that we not refer to stepfamilies, as broken families because all of humanity is broken due to sin. Today's guests Sandi Patty and Don Peslis share how brokenness was a starting point for their relationship and how God has redeemed their story beyond broken. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Sandi and Don. https://www.sandipatty.com/ Hear I Am They's song Scars. https://www.iamtheyband.com/#official-audio Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com Learn about FamilyLife's other podcasts. https://www.familylife.com/podcast Building Love Together in Blended Families by Dr. Gary Chapman and Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5763-building-love-together-in-blended-families.aspx Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What if you were hearing conflicting messages about moral values-from two people you loved and respected-and very much wanted to please? That is what a child who lives in two different homes and is part of a blended family often feels. Melody Fabien joins Ron Deal for a conversation about her experience learning to navigate between the homes, hearts, and faith of her divorced parents. Her stance to remain sexually abstinent before marriage was not supported by one of her parents and caused much heartache. Learn how she eventually reconciled how to live between two homes and how God redeemed her story and continues to use it to help other couples. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Melody Fabien. http://www.cdandmelody.com/ Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com/ Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Dr. Gary Chapman has spread the message of love languages to millions of people. In this episode, Dr. Chapman and Ron Deal discuss their new book, Building Love Together in Blended Families, and how couples can navigate love languages in stepfamilies. Through stories, research, and practical tips, they encourage families to help build love together in: marriage, stepparenting, sibling relationship, and grandparenting. Show Notes and Resources Building Love Together in Blended Families by Dr. Gary Chapman and Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5763-building-love-together-in-blended-families.aspx To take a quiz to find out your love language. https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com/ Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

As a first-marriage, blended family, Darryl and Gwen Smith had good intentions when they wed over thirty years ago. However, their immaturity and emotional baggage led to a divorce. Utlimately, after spending time in prison and losing his family, Darryl became a Christian. God restored him and began to soften Gwen's heart toward him. They discuss with Ron Deal their remarriage and how God is helping them to unpack their baggage and continuing to heal their family. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com/ Building Love Together in Blended Families by Dr. Gary Chapman and Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5763-building-love-together-in-blended-families.aspx Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Many stepcouples know that they will be merging families, but most don't realize that they are merging their belongings, as well. Maybe you combined two families and didn't have room for everything. Who decides what goes and what stays? Author and speaker, Kathi Lipp, helps people de-clutter their homes. She and Ron Deal will discuss how we all need to purge things from our relationships as well. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Kathi Lipp, her books, and events. https://www.kathilipp.com/ Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® live event and livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com/ Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

It's that time of year again when you not only need to plan for the holidays but need to prepare for the co-parenting issues that inevitably arise. Ron Deal and guests share their wisdom and blunders of navigating holidays through the years. We'll also hear holiday tips and ideas for stepfamilies from previous podcast guests. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-smart-stepfamily/ To learn more practical tips for handling stepfamily holidays, 13 Ideas to Manage Holiday Step-Stress. https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/blended-family/stepparents/stepfamily-living/13-ideas-to-manage-holiday-step-stress/ Learn more about the Blended and Blessed® live event and livestream. https://www.blendedandblessed.com Learn about FamilyLife's other podcasts. https://www.familylife.com/podcast Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Whether you are dating, engaged or single hoping to marry one day, there are preparations to make if you or your significant other have children. How do you get ready to blend? Drs. Jeff and Judi Parziale discuss with Ron Deal how they coach couples in pre-stepfamily work and the wisdom they have learned in their 20 year marriage. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Blended and Blessed®. www.blendedandblessed.com "Marrying With Children" resource. http://instepministries.com/books/marrying-with-children/ InStep Ministries. www.instepministries.com Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network. https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/ Visit FamilyLife Blended® online for articles, videos, and resources for blended families. https://www.familylife.com/blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/familylife-blended/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

The topic of money matters can be a pain point in any marriage and family. However, blended families can produce monetary minefields! Debt, child support payments, and inheritance conundrums influence couples' decisions in stepfamilies. Instead of blowing up, Ron Deal, Greg Pettys, and David Edwards offer a better way to handle your money as they discuss financial planning and how blended families can finance togetherness. Show Notes and Resources The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry All-Access Digital Pass gives you the best content from the 2019 Summit, including all of the breakout sessions. PLUS, bonus backstage interviews and messages from previous Summit's. https://shop.familylife.com/p-5675-all-access-pass-summit-2019.aspx Buy the book "The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning." https://shop.familylife.com/p-5664-the-smart-stepfamily-guide-to-financial-planning.aspx Download Dave Edward's "10 Tips to Get Started: Avoid Money Drama and Plan for Your Future" containing 10 action steps you can take to put your blended family on the path to financial stability. https://edwardsgroupllc.lpages.co/blended-family-finances/ More from David Edwards at blendedfamilyfinances.com. Learn about FamilyLife's other podcasts. https://www.familylife.com/podcast See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy