348: Successful Co-parenting
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Release Date: 01/30/2026
349: Valentine's Day Expectations
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Get ready for laughter, realness, and actionable advice as Lori and David tackle Valentine’s Day expectations and the tricky emotions that come with stepfamily living. In this episode, Lori and David dive into the emotional minefields of Valentine’s Day, discussing honest communication between partners and the importance of managing expectations, especially in blended families. You’ll hear their candid conversation about gift-giving ("Stop setting your partner up to fail!"), spontaneous acts of kindness, and why comparison can sabotage the holiday spirit. Topics: The importance...
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348: Successful Co-parenting
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with Jon Bassford, author of The Co-Parenting Secret: It’s Not About You, to talk about what healthy co-parenting really looks like, and why most families are unknowingly doing it wrong. Jon shares his personal journey as a child of divorce, a father navigating two households, and a co-parent who intentionally chose cooperation over conflict. Together, they explore the realities of dual parenting vs. true co-parenting, the emotional toll high-conflict dynamics place on children, and how ego, resentment, and...
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347: Adult Stepkid Moves Back In
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
When an adult stepchild moves back home, many stepparents quickly realize that blending does not end at age 18, it simply enters a new phase. In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David talk candidly about what happens when adult children return home, sometimes with partners and young children in tow. What begins as a temporary plan to save money or regroup can quickly bring up anxiety, boundaries, and old blended-family challenges you thought were behind you. They discuss the emotional and logistical realities of shared households, including working from home with more people...
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346: They Can Put Their Big Person Panties On
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
When a stepchild hurts your partner, every instinct tells you to jump in and defend them, but that move often makes everything worse. In this episode of The Nacho Kids Podcast, we unpack what really happens when step-parents step in too fast, how quickly alliances flip, and why trying to “fix” the moment can turn you into the problem. We talk honestly about: Watching a stepchild disrespect or hurt your partner Why defending your partner can backfire How the target shifts from the behavior to you Why step-parents often feel more upset than the biological parent The danger of...
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345: Some Blends Are Toxic
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this lively episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David dive straight into a wild story involving clogged toilets, dangerous chemical reactions, and a visit from the local fire department. Lori recounts her adventure with her friend Holley as they try to fix her dad’s clogged toilet, inadvertently creating chlorine gas by mixing household chemicals. The resulting chaos - fire trucks, EMTs, neighbors, and dad’s dark humor - serves as a hilarious reminder: don’t mix cleaning products! The hosts then shift the conversation toward stepfamily dynamics, exploring how emotional...
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344: Stepfamily New Year's Expectations
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Kick off 2026 with laughter and real talk! In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David explore the powerful topic of expectations—why they trip us up, how to let go of what others “should” do, and how to build more peace and happiness in your blended family life. In this episode: Why expecting others to change (especially as a New Year’s resolution!) sets you up for disappointment How your personal stories, judgments, and baggage shape what you expect from others—and how to rewrite those scripts Practical advice on shifting your mindset, spotting unrealistic...
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343: Stepfamilies Can Change In The Blink Of An Eye
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Looking for real talk on blended family challenges, New Year's resolutions, and actionable strategies for stepfamilies? In this episode, hosts David and Lori dive deep into stepfamily dynamics and why things can change in an instant. Whether you're a stepparent, parent in a blended family, or just seeking practical advice on setting and achieving goals, this episode delivers with wit, wisdom, and warmth. Episode Highlights: New Year's Resolutions & Why Most Fail: Learn why breaking goals into 90-day cycles (instead of year-long ambitions) leads to success. Psychology of Quick Wins: How...
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342: That's Not Nachoing!
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts David and Lori dive into a deeply relatable and emotional topic: financial stress and holiday challenges in blended families. Lori reads a heart-wrenching post from their Facebook group about a listener struggling to provide Christmas gifts for her children due to unexpected medical expenses, while her fiancé has spent thousands on his own kids’ presents. The question at the core: Is this “nachoing,” or is it something deeper about the relationship itself? In this episode: Blended family finances Holiday stress...
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341: Sick Stepkids
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and guest David tackle one of the trickiest challenges in blended family life: what happens when the stepkids get sick? This episode dives deep into how co-parents and stepparents can navigate illness between households, keep communication open, and prioritize what’s best for the kids. In this episode: The impact of sick kids moving between households Communication strategies during illness Sticking to the court order vs. using common sense Special considerations for newborns and “ours” kids ...
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340: Cell Phones Between Homes
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Is your blended family struggling with cell phone boundaries? NKP340 dives deep into the real challenges and solutions around kids, technology, and stepfamily life—don’t miss these actionable tips! In this insightful episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori & David tackle one of today’s hottest parenting topics: managing cell phones in homes where children move between parents. From hilarious Little House on the Prairie analogies to sobering stories of real blended family struggles, this episode offers a mix of laughter, practical advice, and must-know warnings. Listeners will learn: ...
info_outlineIn this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with Jon Bassford, author of The Co-Parenting Secret: It’s Not About You, to talk about what healthy co-parenting really looks like, and why most families are unknowingly doing it wrong.
Jon shares his personal journey as a child of divorce, a father navigating two households, and a co-parent who intentionally chose cooperation over conflict. Together, they explore the realities of dual parenting vs. true co-parenting, the emotional toll high-conflict dynamics place on children, and how ego, resentment, and unresolved hurt often derail what’s best for kids.
This conversation covers:
• Why “co-parenting” often isn’t co-parenting at all
• The difference between parallel parenting and collaborative parenting
• How childhood divorce experiences shape adult parenting decisions
• Why keeping the focus on the child changes everything
• The power of accountability instead of blame
• How healthy communication models emotional intelligence for kids
• Creating a functional “village” even after divorce
• Why showing up matters more than perfection
• How to reduce transitions, meltdowns, and emotional overload for children
Jon also explains how he and his ex-wife rebuilt their post-divorce relationship with intentionality, including maintaining respectful communication, consistent parenting standards across households, and involving extended family as part of a unified support system.
This episode is a must-listen for:
✔ Stepparents feeling overwhelmed or sidelined
✔ Divorced parents struggling with communication
✔ Parents navigating 50/50 custody schedules
✔ High-conflict co-parenting situations
✔ Anyone wanting to protect their child’s emotional health
If you’ve ever wondered whether peaceful co-parenting is truly possible, this episode proves that it is.
Because when parenting becomes about the child instead of the adults…
everything changes.
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
• The Co-Parenting Secret: It’s Not About You — Jon Bassford
• Website: jonbassford.com
🎧 About the Nacho Kids Podcast
The Nacho Kids Podcast is dedicated to supporting stepparents and blended families through real conversations, real stories, and real solutions — all grounded in the proven Nacho Kids Method.
Life really is better… when you Nacho.
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