In this episode, we’re talking about how to get unstuck when you’re feeling Trapped between your spouse and your kids. We call that being a Trapped Teammate and just about every parent in a blended family experiences this to some level. We’re sharing a couple of mindset shifts, some “stories” to avoid, and even a simple 5-step process to help relieve the pressure of feeling trapped.

I (Mike) often felt stuck on the outside as a step-parent. Kim and Annika had their little inside routines and jokes that I couldn’t seem to connect with. What I really wanted was to instantly feel included…but blended family life just doesn’t work that way. When I was feeling like a Stranded Stranger, what I was really wanting was for our family to “blend”. But one stepfamily expert says that “compartmentalizing” is a better approach…

If you want to show up better in the moments when one or both of you is feeling Trapped or Stranded — then you’ve got to start from a place of already being connected, rather than trying to “connect” in the moment of stress…

Step Parents, have you ever felt left out? Has it ever felt like there's a big relational chasm that you just can't seem to cross — like you're Stranded?

Bio-Parents, have you ever felt stuck between your spouse and your kids? Do you feel pulled back and forth trying to please both, but not seeming to please anyone — like you're Trapped?

Sooner or later, every step-couple experiences these feelings of being Trapped or Stranded. For some, the feelings are paralyzing and for others, they're just annoying…

Have you ever felt fearful or frustrated about your kids pushing back when you hold to the boundaries you think are the best for them? Ever felt pressure from the kids about the things they get to do over at your Ex's house, but not in yours? Ever felt hopeless because you just don't have enough time with your kids and worried that you won't have the impact you really want? You might be stuck believing one of 4 Big Myths. Check out this week's episode where we'll bust the myths and reveal the truth…

Got some "step-sibling rivalry" going on in your home? Then you don't want to miss this podcast episode. You can't force step-siblings to love (or even like) each other. But you can create an atmosphere in your home that opens up more opportunity for all the kids to connect. Find out how…

How do you help your kids navigate all the transitions and changes of blended family life? Kids in blended families most often feel powerless and helpless. You probably support them, but if you're like most of us you might not know exactly how. In this week's podcast episode, you're going to discover specific steps that will help you connect with your kids and support them through big change…

STEPPARENTS…have you ever felt disrespected by a step-child? You're not alone! We hear about disrespect in blended families all the time and we've learned a few things by coaching couples in different ways to respond. If you've ever felt disrespected as a stepparent (or bio-parent!), then click below to listen to this week's podcast episode…

What do you want for your family over the next year? If you're like most couples in a blended family, you might feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to move forward. 1 year from now, you probably don't want everyone experiencing the same challenges they are now. You want something new…something better. But how do you make that happen? That's where we come in. Check out this week's episode to discover your starting point to something new for your family this year!

Ever been blindsided in life? That's pretty common for blended family couples. We all try to anticipate what stepfamily life will be like, but it doesn't take long to realize that reality doesn't always line up with what we pictured. You've probably faced at least one of the 7 unexpected realities we're uncovering in this episode, so don't miss the simple next steps we'll share for each one. Head over to the podcast now to listen in…

What do you do when the hard realities of blended family life are shattering the hopes you had when you first set out. We all have ideals and expectations in the beginning that eventually seem impossible to reach. In this week's podcast episode, we're covering 3 steps you can take when reality and disappointment set in…

How does a blended family couple come together around discipline? That's a question we recently received — and that's what we're tackling in this podcast episode. We'll discuss the first things we should focus on as bio-parent and step-parent to become a great parenting team. Check it out…

Are we the only ones who want to avoid budgeting for the holidays?! Can't we just spend whatever we want to bring a little happiness to our blended family this one time per year? We wish that were the case. The truth is budgeting in a blended family is more about relationships and emotions than it is about money. As you head into the holidays this year, consider adopting these 4 mindsets…they may just keep you connected as a couple and as a family!

It's easy to stay focused on the negatives of blended family life. Yes, stepfamilies come with unique challenges — but they also have some very specific opportunities to build Super Strengths. Check out this week's episode from The Blended Family Coaching Show to discover 3 positives that you may not have thought about.

Are you hoping for a happy holiday season in your blended family, but worried about the kids’ attitudes? Or maybe you're more concerned about that negotiation you know is coming with the Ex? Here are 8 tips that will help as you prepare for the holiday season!

"Why don't my kids see what I see in my new spouse?!" This is a common complaint from bio-parents in blended families. Here's a simple strategy that will help build that bond between step-parent and step-child that really works!

Have you noticed one of your kids behaving defiantly or acting out lately? Maybe you suspect that the negative influence or even direct lies of a Toxic Ex has something to do with it. If that's you, then you need to discover the simple strategy to help your kids uncover the truth for themselves…and that's exactly what we have for you in this week's podcast episode. Check it out!

Do you struggle to know how to support your child when they've had their feelings hurt by your Toxic Ex? I felt inadequate in those moments when my daughter was crying and upset because of hurtful things that occurred in her other home. I didn't want to badmouth her dad…I just wanted to help her move beyond the hurts. Listen to this week's podcast episode to hear the 5 Steps I discovered that really helped my daughter. And they can help your kids too…

Do you ever feel like blended family life is overwhelming or just too complicated? Listen in as we share a framework that will help make the complex dynamics much simpler.

It's natural for us to view new relationships through the lens of our experiences with previous partners. Even though we may have left our past behind and we're moving on, sometimes circumstances in our current relationship can remind us of a negative experience from the past.

In this episode, we'll talk about why this can be so challenging and then give you 3 specific action steps you can take to get over those hurts and triggers from your past.