FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Parents, stepparents and school representatives (teachers, counselors, and administrators) all play a role in helping school-home relationships thrive. But not everyone knows how to play that role. Ron Deal is joined by school counselor Allison Weatter, principal Steven Helmick, and teacher Nan Deal, along with stepmom and author Gayla Grace, for a panel discussion on this important subject. As a parent or stepparent, how can you help teachers understand your unique stepfamily dynamics and relate to your child better? As a teacher or school counselor, how can you better advocate for and look out for your students who live in stepfamily or single parent homes? Kids wear different backpacks to school with baggage they're carrying from life experiences. Listen in for some great ideas on how to help lighten their load as a parent, stepparent, or school representative. Show Notes and Resources Learn more and register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.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

Stepfamily life often includes a variety of crises, some big, many small. How do you effectively manage those crises and come out on the other side with connected relationships and renewed commitment? Crisis counselor Jennifer Ellers became a stepmom and had to survive her own crisis of expectation. She and her husband, Kevin, join Ron Deal in this episode and offer tips and tools they've learned from their years in a stepfamily. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Kevin and Jennifer Ellers.  http://institute4compassionatecare.com/ and http://www.crisisresponse.org/Our-Instructors/ International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. https://icisf.org/ellers-m-a-jennifer/ ARTICLE: Coaching for Resilience: An Interview with Jennifer. (8 min. read) https://www.aacc.net/2017/09/20/coaching-for-resilience-an-interview-with-jennifer-cisney-ellers/ Blended Family Ministry Map. https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/ Find stepfamily resources in the online store. https://shop.familylife.com/products.aspx?categoryid=171andpage=1andpagesize=all Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry.  https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

As a second wife or husband, have you ever felt second best? Or treated as second class by others? How can you be first in your spouse's heart when you're not the ONLY? In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Lore Ferguson Wilbert about how to combat your insecurities that naturally arise in second marriages. Perhaps there's a lack of trust, shame, or feelings of competition with your partner's former spouse. Whatever the reason, insecurities dissipate when we look to God as our source of love for our identity. We can respond from His wellspring of love even in the midst of hard emotions, offering compassion for our spouse instead of competition with someone who isn't even in the picture anymore. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Lore Wilbert at Sayable.net. ARTICLE: Second Wife, Second Life. (8 min. read)  https://www.fathommag.com/stories/second-wife-second-life Handle With Care by Lore Wilbert.  https://www.handlewithcarebook.com/ Dating and The Single Parent by Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-2487-dating-and-the-single-parent.aspx 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 Daily Encouragement for The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5224-daily-encouragement-for-the-smart-stepfamily.aspx Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry.  https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/ See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Are you looking for support for the unique dynamics and challenges that stepfamily life brings? Have you wondered where you can go to get help? Then this episode is for you! Ron Deal talks with Gil and Brenda Stuart on how to find a church that will support you as a stepcouple, how to know if you need counseling and where to go, and what to do if not everyone is willing to go. It might be as simple as attending a small group at your church with other couples on a similar journey. But you must commit to go! Listen in as we talk about the value of finding the right support for your stepfamily and your part in making it happen. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Gil and Brenda Stuart. https://gilandbrenda.com/ Blended Family Ministry Map. https://www.familylife.com/blendedmap Learn more and register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/ How to Find a Competent Christian Stepfamily Therapist. https://www.smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/learn/sharing-hope-finding-help/how-to-find-a-competent-christian-stepfamily-therapist Trusted Counselor List https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/marriage-therapy-intensives Encouragement for the couples in a stepfamily. https://gilandbrenda.com/restored-remarried/ 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 See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

If you had your pick, what term would you use for the stepparent in your family? Some people are perfectly fine with “stepparent”, but others prefer “bonus parent” or “Smom” if you’re a stepmom. And, does the label really matter? Or is it how you conduct yourself as a stepparent that matters? Ron Deal will get into all that and more on today’s FamilyLife Blended podcast with guests, Steve and Misty Arterburn. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Steve and Misty Arterburn http://www.stevearterburn.com/ The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-3625-the-smart-stepfamily.aspx Blended and Blessed- Digital All-Access Pass https://shop.familylife.com/p-5838-all-access-pass-blended-blessed-2020.aspx Learn more and register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/ Books by Steve and Misty Arterburn http://www.stevearterburn.com/books/mediterranean-love-plan/ Daily Encouragement for The Smart Stepfamily https://shop.familylife.com/p-5224-daily-encouragement-for-the-smart-stepfamily.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

If you've ever had frustrations dealing with between-parenting issues, today's conversation will provide you practical help. We're going to wrestle with the every day hiccups of co-parenting and the stressful, ultra frustrating challenge of dealing with a difficult former spouse. Healthy co-parenting truly works. Jay and Tammy Daughtry talk with Ron Deal about how they have thrived in this area and how you can do the same. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Jay and Tammy Daughtry's ministry http://modernfamilydynamics.com/ Co-Parenting Works! by Tammy Daughtry https://coparentinginternational.com/resources?olsPage=products%2Fco-parenting One Heart, Two Homes Digital Resource https://coparentinginternational.com/resources?olsPage=products%2Fhome-study Cooperative Co-Parenting article https://www.smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/learn/ex-spouses-co-parenting-multiple-home-realities/cooperative-co-parenting Learn more and register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.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

For stepparents, biological parents, and children, Mother's Day and Father's Day seem to have tons of swirling emotions. How do you manage this so the day doesn't work against you? Our panel of guests today react to the challenges that all members of a stepfamily can feel on these special days. Previous podcast guests have shared their experiences and tips for you. Additionally, Ron Deal talks with Bryan Stell, Jennifer Walker, Tanisha Johnson and Shannon Simmons about how they each have lived and learned through the many Mother's Days and Father's Days they have celebrated. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepmom by Ron Deal and Laura Petherbridge.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5665-the-smart-stepmom.aspx The Smart Stepdad book by Ron Deal.  https://shop.familylife.com/p-5666-the-smart-stepdad.aspx Learn More about Building Love Together in Blended Families by Dr. Gary Chapman and Ron Deal. 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 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

Should you ask your spouse about their previous sex life? What if you find yourself thinking about sex with your former spouse-is that a problem? And, what if your spouse is thinking about sex with their former spouse-should you be concerned? What if there are clear differences in your sex life now and then-what do you do with that and how do you keep it from being a problem? Healthy marital sexuality is important to the vitality of any marriage. More and more, married couples are engaging in re-sex, that is, a second or subsequent sexual relationship. Whether the story is death, divorce, or relationship dissolution, one or both partners has had a sexual relationship with at least one other person prior to the current marriage. Dr. Juli Slattery joins Ron Deal to have a conversation about sex. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dr. Juli Slattery.  https://www.authenticintimacy.com/ Get the book Rethinking Sexuality. https://shop.authenticintimacy.com/products/rethinking-sexuality Sex as Sacrament? Learn more... https://www.authenticintimacy.com/resources/2756/is-sexual-intimacy-a-sacrament Sexual differences CAN build intimacy. Check this out... https://www.authenticintimacy.com/resources/12334/sexual-differences-can-make-us-better-lovers 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

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