294: Emotional Turmoil in the Stepfamily
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Release Date: 01/23/2025
316: Coping With Codependent Behavior From Your Partner’s Ex
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Are you struggling with codependent behaviors between your partner and their ex, especially when it affects your blended family? In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David tackle a listener’s question about how to handle situations where her partner's ex relies on him for trivial tasks related to the kids. Discover practical tips on communicating concerns with your partner using the proven “FBI statement” method, which focuses on sharing feelings, naming behaviors, and clarifying the impact on your relationship. Lori and David also explore the difference between...
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315: Macaroni And Cheese, Cats, and Teenage Stepkids
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Welcome to another episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast! Today, Lori and David are joined by returning guests Crystal and Mike, who open up about blending their family over the past nine years. With two teens of totally opposite temperaments, Crystal and Mike share their experiences juggling an ambitious daughter and an unmotivated son, while trying to balance structure, independence, and support. They discuss the evolution of “nachoing” as stepparents, how they manage the messier parts of teenage life, and the ongoing challenges of co-parenting across two very different households. Crystal...
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314: Fairness And Conflict in the Blended Family
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Explore the complexities of blending families, including navigating different parenting styles, sibling rivalry vs. bullying, and the challenge of being fair with both biological and stepchildren. Lori & David share practical advice on empowering kids to handle conflicts, the realities of “fairness” in stepfamily life, and why adult behavior matters just as much as the kids’. Tune in for relatable stories, honest reflections, and tools to help your own blend thrive! In this episode, we discuss: Biases and Parental Perception "Tit for Tat" Dynamics and Parental Stalemates...
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313: Daryl Potter ~ Something More: Living Well In A Broken World
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
On this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori welcomes Daryl Potter, a Canadian banker and published author, for a conversation that takes us far beyond the typical stepfamily story. Daryl isn’t a member of a blended family himself, but his experience raising a child with two extremely rare medical conditions has given him a unique perspective on navigating “irregular” family dynamics and finding beauty in unexpected places. Daryl opens up about his 28-year marriage, the cultural mosaic of his household, and the challenges and profound blessings of caring for his daughter, who is the...
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312: Sacrifices In Stepfamilies
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Welcome back to the Nacho Kids Podcast! In today’s episode, Lori and David dive deep into the realities of sacrifice within stepfamilies. Lori shares a heartfelt personal story about giving up a long-awaited lunch with a friend to help her stepson, Ethan, navigate buying a car, a perfect example of the countless everyday choices stepfamilies make for each other. Together, Lori and David discuss how sacrifice isn’t just about doing things for your own kids, but often includes stepkids and even partners. They challenge the misconception that “nachoing” means not caring or refusing...
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311: Blend Don't Break - Chad M. Brignac
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
On today’s episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with Chad Bignac, transformationist, consultant, author, and coauthor of the new book “Blend, Don’t Break.” Drawing from over 22 years of blended family experience, Chad opens up about the challenges he and his wife faced merging their families after personal tragedies, including the loss of his first wife and his current wife’s ex-husband. Chad shares candidly about the painful missteps and valuable lessons learned along their journey, from clashing parenting styles and personal assumptions to the importance of unity,...
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310: Disrespect in Stepfamilies
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Welcome back to another episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast! In today’s show, Lori and David dive into a challenge faced by many blended families: What happens when one partner feels that their stepchild is being disrespectful, and the biological parent doesn’t step in? Kicking things off with a listener's heartfelt question, Lori and David unpack the complexities of stepkids shouting or insulting their stepparent and stepsibling, as well as the tension that arises when boundaries and respect are on the line. Throughout the episode, they discuss practical strategies for handling disrespect...
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309: Blending With Autism
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
On today’s episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with "Bookworm Stepmom," for a heartfelt and engaging conversation about navigating the highs and lows of blended family life. Stepmom opens up about her journey from single and childless to stepmom of two girls and mom to two more young children, one of whom is autistic. They dig into the realities of co-parenting with an ex, maintaining balance in a blended household, and how stepmom’s personal experiences as a stepchild shape her compassionate approach to stepmotherhood. From honest discussions about the challenges of...
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308: Graduations And Stepfamilies
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Welcome back to the Nacho Kids Podcast! In this heartfelt and relatable episode, hosts David and Lori dive into the annual struggle of graduation ticket allocations. With only a handful of coveted seats for high school and college ceremonies, blended and extended families are often left negotiating who gets a spot in the audience—and who doesn’t. Through personal stories and a bit of humor, David and Lori explore the emotional minefield that limited tickets can create for parents, step-parents, grandparents, and, most importantly, the graduates themselves. They emphasize the importance of...
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307: Lisa Wilson ~ A History of Stepfamilies in Early America
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this enlightening episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of stepfamilies in American history with our special guest, Lisa Wilson, the esteemed author of "A History of Stepfamilies in Early America." Lisa shares her journey of uncovering the untold stories and patterns of stepfamilies, reflecting on her personal experiences as a member of such a family. Delving into historical dynamics, Lisa discusses how the perception and roles within stepfamilies have evolved over centuries, from the challenges of integrating into what was once an emotionally-focused family...
info_outlineWelcome to the Nacho Kids Podcast. In this episode, Lori sits down with our guest to delve into the intricate dynamics of blended families. Our guest shares poignant experiences from her life, starting with her father's remarriage and extending to her journey as a stepmother.
We explore the early stages of blending families, the delicate process of introducing her two children to her new husband, and the joys and challenges of family traditions. The guest opens up about the emotional turmoil and boundaries set with her stepdaughter and the tension caused by the stepdaughter's biological mother.
We'll also hear reflections on parenting after loss, navigating financial entanglements, and the significance of maintaining boundaries for personal growth. Tune in as we unpack the complexities of family, love, and resilience in this intimate discussion about building a cohesive family unit amidst life's ever-changing landscapes. Let's dive right in!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Emotional Turmoil
- Managing Social Media and Family Privacy
- Emotional and Logistical Complexities
- Parental Alienation
Nacho Kids testimonial:
Transforming Our Family
"The Nacho Kids Method completely changed our blended family. By stepping back and letting my partner parent, I found peace and clarity. Our home is calmer, and I’ve built stronger relationships without the constant stress. It truly saved us!" - Sarah T.