023. How to Move From Feeling Stranded to Being Connected (Part 3 of 3)
More ways to listen:
Have you ever seen that old Tom Hanks movie, Castaway?
Hanks portrays the character Chuck Noland, a FedEx worker who is stranded on an island after a plane crash. In a nutshell, he goes a bit crazy because he's disconnected from other people. So much so, that he creates his own imaginary friend…you might remember his buddy "Wilson".
The truth is, we're all wired a little bit like Chuck. When we feel Stranded and isolated, we sometimes go a little crazy.
I (Mike) kinda get that feeling. I went a little nuts at times when I 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.
Chances are, if you're a step-parent, you've felt a bit like me (and maybe Chuck) somewhere along the way. But you don't have to stay stuck…you don't have to be Stranded…and there's something you can do about it.
In this episode, we're laying out one of the most effective strategies for "rescuing" yourself from being that Stranded Stranger so that you can feel more connection with your step-kids (and your spouse!).
Make sure to check it out!
You'll Discover:
5 Steps for "Shifting" rather than "Blending"
What to do if you don't have anything in common with your step-child
How to move forward if your step-child "turns you down"
What to do if you have lots of kids and not enough time/energy to go around
Resources from this Episode:
A couple of weeks ago we described the "Trapped Teammate & Stranded Stranger" experience…if you missed it, you can check it out here: Episode 21
We mentioned our premier online course — click this link to learn more about Stepfamilies that Work!
We mentioned the challenges of rhythm & balance when it comes to your time…learn more about that in Episode 3
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 on 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 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.
