030. Should Stepparents WANT Authority With Their Stepkids?
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Authority — it's a tough subject in blended families.
Who has it…who doesn't? Who should have it…and who shouldn’t?
There's so much conflicting advice out there about this it can make your head spin! And one big "message" that seems to have made its way into the mainstream is that authority should NOT belong to a stepparent.
But, is it that simple?
I (Mike) used to talk a lot about Authority Vs. Influence, but as I've come through 19 years now of raising and relating to my step-daughter — and as I connect with more and more couples I'm discovering that we need a different "message".
I think the question isn't, "…should I have authority with my step-kids?"
The real question is, "…how can I build HEALTHY authority with my step-kids?"
And a different question requires a different answer. So that's what we're exploring in this episode. You'll listen in on an honest conversation between Kim and me as we re-think this whole subject.
You'll Discover:
The three key elements of building trust (a major key in developing healthy authority)
Some fun ideas for creating relationship
What to do when you "mess up"
And the two most important things Bio-Parents need to do to help their partner build the healthy authority you're BOTH hoping for
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 4 — Can You Overcome Your Parenting-Style Differences?
Episode 28 — What if What You Think is Defiance is Actually Something Else?
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
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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.
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