116. 10 Practical Strategies to Prep for the Holidays — and Avoid Blended Family Disappointments
More ways to listen:
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Or is it?
The holiday season is upon us and we all hope for something wonderful in our blended family this year. But for many of us, the holidays might bring up dread instead.
Why? Simply because — well, it just isn't simple for stepfamilies!
The holiday season for many of us seems to create challenges. Negotiating with the Ex, with the kids, and with each other can be stressful. Relational tensions can escalate, dashing our hopeful expectations.
Then disappointment sets in. It can be frustrating, to say the least.
Kids in blended families often struggle too. All kinds of frustrations and emotions get triggered for them. Maybe you've noticed one or more of your kids distancing themselves or acting out in unexpected ways.
There are no easy solutions — this stuff is tough! But you can approach the holidays proactively.
In this episode, we're sharing 10 practical tips that will help you navigate the blended family holiday season with intentionality. You'll set your family up to experience something new (and maybe even wonderful) this year!
You'll Discover:
Tip 1: Examine and readjust your expectations
Tip 2: Plan ahead with Your former spouse around schedules
Tip 3: Inform the kids of the plans they can expect
Tip 4: Create stability & connection for all the kids
Tip 5: Utilize the 5 Love Languages to fill emotional tanks
Tip 6: Discover what traditions are really important to the kids
Tip 7: Involve the kids in the preparation process
Tip 8: Keep your focus on gratitude
PLUS 2 Bonus Tips that'll help you to keep your expectations realistic, minimize disappointments, calm the chaos and experience more joy !
Resources from this Episode:
Article by Ron Deal: How to Cook a Stepfamily
Article by Ron Deal: Family Meetings: A Tool for Problem-Solving
Episode 95 - Do You Dread Negotiating Schedule Changes with Your Ex?
Episode 14: 3 Helpful Steps to Overcome Your "Perfectionistic" Ideals and Disappointments
Episode 69: How to "Blend" Your Holiday Traditions in a Practical Way
Episode 36: How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection
Episode 71: How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
Blog article: How to Minimize Disappointment In Your Blended Family
Resources for 5 Love Languages:
Book: Building Love Together in Blended Families by Gary Chapman & Ron L. Deal
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.
