Blended Family Podcast

Latest Episodes:

56- Don't put your children in the middle! Dec 07, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Putting children in the middle is one of the biggest mistakes we make as divorced parents. Whether it’s intentional or accidental, it always hurts the children. There are reasons why we do this and some very common mistakes we make. Children always pay the price. Protect your children by learning to avoid this common pitfall, your children will thank you for it!

Pledge to help parents from putting kids in the middle of their divorce,

from www.achievesolutions.net click here

Periscope- open app and search 1blendedfamily

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55-Religion and the blended family Nov 30, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

A big issue that blended families face is when each family comes from a different religious background. Though certainly not a deal breaker, this can definitely cause some upset in the family, whether from ex partners, or in the current situation. I’ll give you some tips on how to deal with an ex, and also go over some common challenges.

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54-Special guest, Shawn's first appearance on the show! Nov 23, 2015

Show notes

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

As I am very close to my year anniversary of doing the podcast, I thought it would be fitting to have Shawn, my number one supporter, on the show. If you want to get to know my other half, please listen in as we talk about

our differing parenting styles
Shawns past anger issues
communication
importance of quality time
our engagement story
other listener questions

If you enjoy hearing Shawn on the show, please send us some feedback on the group page or email.

Thank you for listening!

For the reality television show opportunity, email here

Please include name, contact info, a photo, and a brief description of your family

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53-Helping a child through the loss of a parent Nov 16, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Helping a child through the loss of a parent can be very difficult. There are many things you can do to help support your child/children through a traumatic loss like this, such as

keep your personal feelings out of it
don't speak negatively about the parent who has passed
get the child therapy
communicate with the child
don't rush the child
make a memorial space for the child in their room
keep your child active
talk to their teachers at school
keep the child’s life as stable as possible
teach the stepsiblings proper behavior
making sure the stepparent plays an active role

Understand that the death of your child’s other parent is not only going to impact your child, but your life as well, and every member of your blended family. Your spare time, financial situation, and your responsibilities will be altered. This is a hard life lesson, but with an entire family's support, a child can still thrive.

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52- Hacks to save you time and money! Nov 09, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Every blended family can benefit from learning simple tips to save time and money. In this show, I go over my top ten tips of each!

Tips to save time

Food Prep

Prepare things the night before

Delegate chores and responsibilities

Exercise at home

Online shopping

Follow a cleaning schedule, or hire someone

Wake up earlier

Use your schedule wisely

Split tasks with your partner

Learn to say no

And the tips to save money

Make a list and stick to it

Food shop only once a week

Shop at bulk stores

Repurpose clothing

Shop at thrift or secondhand stores

Use coupon apps

Barter Services

Keep your credit cards low

Borrow instead of buy

Cut down on bills where you can.

Have any tips to share? Please add them in the comments section or in our facebook group!

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51-Moving Past Affairs Nov 02, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

In cases of infidelity, having a blended family can certainly add more complications to the mix. Whether you’re struggling with the knowledge of a past affair or going through it now in your current relationship, this episode can help. Cheating doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. There are ways to move forward past infidelity and go on to have a successful relationship. We will also talk about some do’s and don't’s, and how to deal with family members.

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50-Love your Blended Family Oct 26, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Sometimes we get so caught up in negativity that we lose sight of what's wonderful right in front of us. Blended families are stressful, and we can forget all the blessings that they do bring us. Let me show you how to change your mindset, improve your mood, love and appreciate your blended family! When you change your focus, anything is possible.

Ten things to help improve your mood.

Eat well
Exercise
Breathe or meditate
Change your surroundings
Listen to music
Communicate
Smile
Make a checklist
Do something you like
Be thankful

Listen to my happy song here!

Check out the 2houses app here!

www.2houses.com

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49-The Unique Challenges of Joint Custody Oct 19, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Joint custody arrangements are becoming much more the norm in modern divorce. For those that have joint custody arrangements, you know that there are many challenges you must face. To start, we discuss the difference between joint physical and joint legal custody, and some factors in making that decision.

We also discuss some challenges you might face such as

communication
scheduling
parental influence
transportation
effects on the new blended family

And finally, I leave you with my 5 tips for having success with joint custody, which are

communicate
keep the focus on the kids
don’t sweat the small stuff
have realistic expectations
adjust your agreement if necessary

This topic idea comes from our loyal listener Scott! Thank you !

If you have a topic you want me to cover, please email me!

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48-Create Confident Kids with Marty Ward Oct 12, 2015

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melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Marty L Ward is championing the movement to Create Confident Kids. When a 10 yr old little girl hung herself rather than face the bully back in 2011, Marty said, “ENOUGH!” Despite all our school regulations and “Anti-Bullying” and “Stop Bullying” campaigns, 4,400 students commit suicide each year, and 160,000 are absent every day due to fear of confronting the bully. Fed up with the rising statistics, Marty looked for an answer. Influenced by leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Mother Theresa, Marty designed a Create Confident Kids to Eliminate Bullying Program with a whole new twist: it focuses on what we do want – Confident Kids – rather than on what we don’t want – more bullying.

In this interview, we talk about

Marty’s story
why bullying is so prevalent today
bullying in the blended family
signs to look for to see if your child is being bullied
how to help a child who is being bullied
what to do if your child is a bully
Marty’s Create Confident Kids program, and why it works
Bullying workshops

Marty’s Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Call 321-848-4997

Join the Workshop What every Parent needs to know about Bullying in 2015“3 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Kid to Successfully Deal with the Bully" Oct 21st

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47-PTSD in the Blended Family, Interview with Michele Rosenthal Oct 05, 2015

Show notes

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Michele Rosenthal is an award-winning PTSD blogger, bestselling and award-nominated author, host of the radio program, Changing Direction, and founder of HealMyPTSD.com. A former faculty member of the Clinical Development Institute for Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, Michele is also a trauma survivor who struggled with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for over twenty-five years. Then, she launched a successful “healing rampage.” Michele has been 100% free of PTSD symptoms for almost a decade. Her most recent book is Heal Your PTSD: Dynamic Strategies that Work. Michele and I have a conversation on PTSD, and how this can affect your blended family.

We talk about