Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast

Send us a textGet the Full Transcript at synergisticstepparenting.com/40. Episode Covers:- How to make sense of catastrophic events?- Signs that you need help- How to talk to your stepchildren about difficult events- When and how to ask for help- How to heal through difficult life eventsResources: https://www.tamaraashley.com/qards/about/https://www.rapidresolutiontherapy.com/specialist

Send us a textHi Stepparents,Let’s face it there is lots up in the air right now, which is part of the times we’re living in. And things have been going this way for a while now. Change in many facets of our lives is accelerating forcing us to adapt quicker. This causes feelings of overwhelm and stress.If the pandemic hasn’t been overwhelming enough, the fact that a senseless war recently broke out in Europe with crimes against humanity being carried out on peaceful civilians, has sent many into a downward spiral of feeling helpless and wondering …What is it all for? and What’s next?To answer the call of this reality, I’m sharing some strategies to help you and your stepchild cope with all the uncertainty, fear, and stress. Find the show notes for this episode at synergisticstepparenting.com/39.Covered Topics:- Acknowledging Your Feelings- Creating Positive Habits- Fostering Calm- What Stress Looks Like - Staying In GratitudeIncorporating these strategies is sure to help your family navigate challenges while nurturing deeper bonds to each other. And you’ll be teaching your kids powerful life lessons in the process.For more tips to go synergisticstepparenitng.com/subscribe to sign up for my email list making sure you don’t miss a thing! As a thank I’ll send you my 4 Step Guide to Transform Family Chaos into Harmonious Co-Parenting.Until next time, be well!Related Episodes:Synergistic Stepparenting podcast titled 7 Components Of A Stepparenting Sanity RoutineMisconceptions About Consistency In StepparentingStepparent's Crippling Dirty Little Secret*Notes: How to leave a review on Apple PodcastsOpen the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.

Exploring the challenges and uncertainties of stepparenting, including questions to ask yourself, safety, quality time, discipline, and co-parenting dynamics. Tips for managing emotions and responsibilities as a stepparent, emphasizing the importance of communication, relinquishing control, seeking support, and practicing self-care.

Send us a textHey stepparents! Maria Natapov here, stepparenting coach and strategist. I am excited to present to you the rest of my conversation with Dr. Dr. Bushman, with whom we talked about eating disorders. This interview was inspired by my recent conversation with my stepdaughter where she delved into her trauma story touching on her issues with eating. Those episodes can be found at synergisticstepparenting.com/33 and synergisticstepparenting.com/34.In Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Dara Bushman we clarified the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating. We discussed how the key perspective is in evaluating whether something we are noticing is truly problematic or whether it’s just a natural developmental change that may be temporary in nature.We also identified how to notice our own mindset around food and body shape. Because as we’ve discussed on the show before, kids are noticing everything you do and are deeply influenced by your behavior. This week we’re going to learn what’s at the heart of food related issues, what the precursors are to eating disorders, and how to have critical conversations with your stepchild to prevent these issues. Find the show notes for this episode at synergisticstepparenting.com/37. Again, without further ado, I introduce you to the fabulous Dr. Dara Bushman!Who is Dr. Dara Bushman, Eating Disorders Specialist?Here’s a refresher on Dr. Dara Bushman’s background. She's a licensed psychologist who specializes in rapid transformation, helping people move from crabby to happy from ordinary to extraordinary from surviving to thriving. She's an author and featured psychologist in the media and a mom of two energetic school kids and two dogs.Her clinical background includes working with individuals, couples, families and even groups to dissolve trauma triggers and eliminate recurring traumatic experiences license in the states of North Carolina and Florida. She was a lead therapist for 10 years at milestones and recovery, a comprehensive eating disorder treatment center, where she introduced a comprehensive approach to healing that involves mind body healing, she has cracked the code to the language of disordered eating and the secret to eating disorders through the language of foodenese.Early in the pandemic, she saw a picture of a healthcare worker hugging an elderly patient in isolation and immediately felt a calling and recently began working in assisted living facilities in the Asheville area. She also works with aspiring professional athletes, as well as Olympians to break mental blocks and achieve peak performance, getting them out of their heads and onto the winner's platform.I can't wait for you guys to get all the goodness of this incredible conversation. Here we go...Topics Covered:- Food Related Issues Often Center Around Shame- Noticing Problematic Patterns around Eating- Precursors to Eating Disorders- How to Approach Your Stepchild’s Behavior around Food- How Can You Get to the Root of Your Stepchild’s Eating Behavior?- How to Start “Planting Seeds” for the Necessary Conversation- How to Begin the Difficult Conversations- Allow Yourself to Be the Novice and Your Stepchild to Be the TeacherThis was such an important conversation full of soundbites that I’m taking away and hope you are too. To sum it up we learned what’s at the root of food related issues and the precursors signifying food issues. We identified how critical it is to start planting seeds and how to begin the difficult conversations with your stepchild.We also discussed the be

Send us a textHi stepparents!Welcome! I’m your host, Maria Natapov, Stepparenting Coach and Strategist.Today we have a very special episode for you. We’ll be discussing Mother’s Day for Stepmothers.This is a loaded episode, both emotionally and literally because we have lots to cover.  We’ll be delving into several areas. Like, why this is a particularly challenging holiday, what this holiday feels like for many stepmoms, and how to ensure you have an amazing Mother’s Day holiday.You’re going to want to share this info with your loved ones, so grab your spouse and step-kids and be sure to share it with your family, bestie, and friends. This episode is designed to shed light on the stepmom’s experience and challenges around Mother’s Day so that you feel seen and heard and know that you’re not alone.And to help the rest of the world, and most importantly members of your inner circle, gain awareness and understanding to support you during this holiday and time of year.Topics Covered:- The Stepmom Experience- Why is Mother’s Day Difficult for Stepmoms?- How to Ensure You Have a Special Mother’s Day- How to Enjoy Your Mother’s Day Regardless of Your StepfamilyIf you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, go to synergisticstepparenting.com/work to see how I can help you transform family chaos into meaningful and harmonious co-parenting.Ok step-mommas, happy celebrating and wishing you a very happy Mother’s Day!!!Until next be well!Related Episodes:7 Key Components of the Stepparenting Sanity RoutineHow to Have Difficult Stepparenting ConversationsFeeling Out Your Blended Families’ Traditions and Beliefs*Notes: How to leave a review on Apple PodcastsOpen the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.

Send us a textHey stepparents! Maria Natapov here, stepparenting coach and strategist. I am so excited to introduce you to Dr. Dr. Bushman. With whom we had the pleasure of having a conversation this week talking all about eating disorders and disordered eating. Recently, I did an interview with my stepdaughter, who is incredible. Where she delved into her trauma story of abuse and neglect and trauma recovery. And we touched on her issues with eating. Those episodes can be found at synergisticstepparenting.com/33 and synergisticstepparenting.com/34.I'm never quite sure whether to say eating disorders or disordered eating. Which is one of the many things that I'm hoping Dr. Bushman would clarify for us today. And get some really good tips around how to identify and help ourselves and our children with disordered eating. And how to have conversations about it and how to navigate that very complex world. Because, as we know, food is all around us. It is such an enormous part of our culture and our everyday. So I can't wait to delve into this conversation. Without further ado, I introduce you to Dr. Dara Bushman!Episode Covers:- Dr. Dara Bushman and her background as an eating disorders specialist- The Difference Between Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating- Perspective is Key In Identifying Eating Disorders- How to Identify Your Mindset Around Food and Body ShapeLinks to Dr. Dara Bushman and her S.H.I.F.T. Planner and JournalDr. Dara Bushman's WebsiteDr. Dara Bushman's S.H.I.F.T. Powerful Planner and Journal*Notes: How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts1.    Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.2. Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.3. On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”4.    Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.

Send us a textHi Stepparents! Welcome to the show, I’m your host Maria Natapov, Stepparenting Coach and Strategist. I am very excited to bring you this special episode that is near and dear to my heart. This week we conclude the conversation with Lilah as she shares more of her story, what that was like for her, how she learned to heal and what that has looked like and continues to look like. Find the show notes for this episode at synergisticstepparenting.com/34. In spite of some unpleasant details, I’m so excited to share this interview crammed with robust soundbites with you all – and despite her tender age, she has many. So, let’s dive in …Topics covered:  - What was helpful and what wasn’t - What helped her feel safe - What she now steers clear of - What the hardest thing was - How she moved forward - Why things got harder after she left the abusive household - The breakthrough momentRelated content:Episode 33 - Confessions Of A Stepdaughter - Broken Silence: Part 1Episode 29 - Confessions of A Stepdaughter  *Notes: How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts1.    Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.2.    Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.3.    On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”4.    Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.

Send us a textHi Stepparents!Welcome to the show, I’m your host Maria Natapov, Stepparenting Coach and Strategist. I am very excited to bring you this special episode that is near and dear to my heart. Find the show notes for this episode at synergisticstepparenting.com/33.I had the sheer pleasure to again interview my incredible stepdaughter for this week’s episode. But I have to warn you that there will be some details shared and discussed that will be uncomfortable if not straight up stomach-turning. So please remember that this episode is not for the faint of heart and if you have children around, please put on some headphones or wait until you’re alone to listen. This way you give yourself space to decide whether and if it’s the right time to introduce this subject matter to them and to discuss these issues with them. This week Lilah dove into more of the background of her story of abuse, what that was like for her, how she learned to heal and what that has looked like and continues to look like. In spite of some unpleasant details, I’m so excited to share her powerful story and pearls of wisdom with you all – and despite her tender age, she has many. So here we go ….Topics covered:- Why Lilah calls me - her stepmom - "mom"- The story of her abuse and neglect and what the day to day was like for her- Her trauma and disordered eating- How she navigated it all - What empowered her along the way- What helped and what made things worse- What she's learned to do to combat the negative and judgement voices that have taken residence in her head- How to not numb out the feelings, even the painful ones*Notes: How to leave a review on Apple PodcastsOpen the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.

Send us a textHello stepparents!Welcome back to another episode of the Synergistic Stepparenting podcast, I’m your host Maria Natapov, Stepparenting Coach and Strategist.A few weeks ago I shared on social media that the Synergistic Stepparenting podcast celebrated its half birthday. And in celebration of this fact, this week we’re sharing our most downloaded episode. Find the FULL transcript at synergisticstepparenting.com/32. For our new listeners who haven’t gotten the chance to catch up on some of the earlier episodes yet, we wanted to make sure that you don’t miss out on this gem. And if you’ve been with us for a while, we wanted to make sure to highlight this value-packed episode by giving you a chance to re-listen. Because who couldn’t use a reminder to ask for what we need and how to do it? I am sincere grateful to you for listening and spending your precious time with us! I’m so touched by this gesture, that I would like to give you something in return.So, I invite you to head over to synergisticstepparenting.com/subscribe to get your FREE guide called 4 Steps to Start Transforming Family Chaos into Harmonious Co-Parenting including several powerful tools to get you immediate results!I also inviting you to hit like and subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming app so you don’t miss a thing.And it would be amazing if you leave us a review and share some of your favorite aspects of the podcast so that other stepparents who could benefit from this advice, these tips and strategies can also find us and join you on this journey. Now, without further ado, I present to you our MVP episode – How To Have Difficult Stepparenting Conversations. Enjoy!Topics Covered:- How to have difficult conversations with our beloved blended family members- Feeling at Odds and Unappreciated by Your Blended Family- What to Do About the Overwhelm of Disappointment and Hard Work of Stepparenting - How to ask for help- How to stay grounded in stepparenting-  3 Steps to Having Difficult Stepparenting ConversationsResources:- synergisticstepparenting.com/7 - synergisticstepparenting.com/11 *Notes: How to leave a review on Apple PodcastsOpen the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled "Ratings & Reviews."Under one of the highlighted reviews, select "Write a Review." If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show. 

Send us a textHello stepparents! Welcome back to another episode of the Synergistic Stepparenting podcast, I’m your host Maria Natapov, Stepparenting Coach and Strategist.A few weeks ago I shared on social media that the Synergistic Stepparenting podcast celebrated its half birthday. And in celebration of this fact, we’d love to share with you 2 of our most downloaded episodes. Find the show notes for this episode at synergisticstepparenting.com/31.For those of you who are new listeners haven’t gotten the chance to catch up with some of the older episodes yet, we wanted to make sure that you don’t miss out on these gems. First, I would like to share a sincere thanks to you for listening and spending your precious time with us! And I’m so touched by this gift you’ve given me, that I would like to give you something in return. So, I invite you to head on over to synergisticstepparenting.com/subscribe to get your FREE e-book called 4 Steps to Start Transforming Family Chaos into Harmonious Co-Parenting which has several powerful tools to get you immediate results! The other thing I’m inviting you to do is hit like and subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming app so you don’t miss a thing. And now, without further ado, I present to you our runner up MVP - #1 Cause Of Disconnect In Your Stepparenting. Enjoy!Topics Covered:- showing up- For a long time, I thought showing up meant just that - physically getting myself somewhere. - I wasn’t showing up by bringing ALL of me to the table. - What does it take to fully show up?- 2 major factors of showing up * Notes: How to leave a review on Apple PodcastsOpen the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.Navigate to the Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast.On Synergistic Stepparenting Podcast page, scroll down to find the subhead titled “Ratings & Reviews.”Under one of the highlighted reviews, select “Write a Review.” If you like what you hear – give us a 5-star rating! And let us and others know what you like about the show.