213. Discover How to Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce [with Lauren Reitsema]
More ways to listen:
What a privilege to have Lauren Reitsema back on the show to dive deeper into how we can authentically bond and connect with kids who are navigating divorce and blended family dynamics.
Lauren’s passion for relationship skills began in middle school after her parents' divorce, leading her to pursue Communication Studies at TCU. She’s the author of In Their Shoes, helping parents connect with children of divorce, and Relationship Essentials, which offers tools for healthy communication and boundaries.
For over 15 years, Lauren has taught relationship skills to teens, adults, and professionals. As President of The Center for Relationship Education in Denver, she inspires others to value and invest in their most important relationships.
Lauren vulnerably shares from her own journey as a child of divorce and blending, offering practical guidance and real encouragement for both bio and step parents.
We explore why it’s critical to understand the identity crisis many kids face, lean into hard emotions like grief, and the power of empathy and patience to lower resistance and build genuine, lasting connections.
Join us as we unpack Lauren's wisdom. It's truly a game-changer for every blended family.
You'll Discover:
Why empathy is essential for creating genuine connection in blended families.
The impact of broken family identity and why kids struggle to accept changing family dynamics
Strategies for step-parents to manage rejection and disappointment with patience and perseverance.
The critical difference between seeking compliance versus nurturing an authentic connection.
How embracing the struggle rather than avoiding it can lead to transformative growth and healing.
How to create and craft a relationship with your stepchild as you go, without expectation, while honoring the child's pace.
Resources from this Episode:
In Their Shoes by Lauren Reitsema
Episode 40. Uncover the Unspoken Feeling of Kids in Blended Families [Special Resource: In Their Shoes]
Relationship Essentials by Lauren Reitsema and Joneen Mackenzie
To connect with Lauren: lauren@myrelationshipcenter.org
Past episodes with Lauren:
Ready for personalized support? Schedule your free coaching call
We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you. That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.
Join our community
You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether
Subscribe or Follow the Show
Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.
Click here to subscribe to Apple Podcasts
Click here to follow on Spotify
Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts
If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback.
