132. How do loss and grief impact blended family integration?
More ways to listen:
You probably hope for tight bonds in your blended family. But the reality is that blended families are born out of loss — and the grief from that loss can make it difficult to bond.
Whether it was divorce, death, or separation — there was an 'earthquake' of loss that preceded your current blended family structure.
And every member of your family will experience some kind of grief along the way as ongoing sadness and painful emotions emerge. Those are the unavoidable 'aftershocks' of loss.
Most of us tend to avoid the lingering sorrow of loss that exists. It's easy for us to miss the grief our kids and stepkids might be experiencing. Not intentionally, of course. We simply want to move forward. We don't want to stay stuck.
But the truth is that ignoring or underestimating the impact of loss can easily become a barrier to bonding and create frustration, resentment, and anger.
In this episode, we'll explore the tough realities that impact every blended family around acknowledging and navigating loss — for adults and kids.
Plus, we'll share 10 tips for overcoming this challenge and finding the courage to create a shared grief journey for your family which ultimately leads to deeper connection and healthy integration.
You'll Discover:
Possible losses children experience when blending — and how family integration could be negatively impacted
The true nature of loss and why it cannot be denied or ignored
The benefits of surfacing loss and working through ongoing grief
Resources from this Episode:
Book by Ron Deal: The Smart Stepfamily
Book by Ron Deal: Preparing to Blend
Book by John Gottman: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
Episode 81: How a Missing Bio-Parent Impacts Kids in the Delicate Blending Process
Episode 21: What is the Stranded Stranger & Trapped Teammate Experience?
Episode 37: Why do Kids Struggle to Accept Their Stepparent?
Episode 40: Uncover the Unspoken Feelings of Kids in Blended Families
Episode 85: How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal]
Episode 39: How to Create Strong Bonds with Resistant Step-Kids
Episode 71: How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Disappointment
Episode 72: The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships
Episode 26: Are You Stuck in a "Competition" with Your Step-Kids?
Episode 18: How to Help Kids Navigate Transition and Change
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.
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