092. At a loss and feeling defeated because the kids stubbornly refuse to blend?
More ways to listen:
You might have imagined that "blending" would be relatively smooth and easy — even if there would be a few bumps along the way.
But then reality hit when your child dug in their heels and no matter what you say or do they resist moving forward, refuse to engage and even try to reject that new person in your life.
The tension and conflict leaves you bewildered, exhausted, and it robs you of the happiness you want to experience.
One of our listeners understands this all too well — her family is really struggling and she asked us to help. Her teenage daughters have refused to accept her decision to remarry and will not "get on board" with blending.
She just wants to love her daughters AND her fiancée, but it seems like no matter what she does the girls keep resisting. It's hard on the whole family — including the future stepdad who seems to be caught in the crossfire.
There are no easy fixes when kids choose to dig in their heels and defiantly object to your relationship. They may be struggling with fear, loss, insecurity, or troubling emotions that keep them stuck in resistance.
But you don't have to lose hope, because there are practical steps you can take to help the kids process and gradually let go of their negative beliefs about blending.
In this episode, we'll share some insights and effective strategies to ease the tension and help your family move forward.
You'll Discover:
How to forge a path through the kid's rejection
Powerful messages your kids and step-kids need to receive from you — especially when they're refusing to blend
Effective ways to help kids move through their difficult emotions
Encouragement and hope for your family's journey
Resources from this Episode:
Book Recommendation: Building Love Together In Blended Families by Ron Deal & Gary Chapman
Episode 87: Mike and Annika Chat About Her Experience Growing Up in Our Home
Episode: 85 - How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal]
Book Recommendation: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman
Episode 71: How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Disappointment
Episode 40: Uncover the Unspoken Feelings of Kids in Blended Families
Episode 9: A Surprisingly Simple Strategy for Bonding with Step-Kids
Episode 37: Why do Kids Struggle to Accept the Stepparent?
Episode 39: How to Create Strong Bonds with Resistant Step-kids
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
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