Discover a practical framework that'll help you avoid holiday tension, pressure and disappointment. Instead, you'll create new traditions for your blended family that are honoring and meaningful to everyone!

It's uncomfortable for any stepparent to admit they don't like their own step-child. But faking, avoiding or trying to grit your way through doesn't help. Check out this episode to discover how Mike overcame his frustrations with his stepdaughter — and gained more connection with her.

Find out 5 specific strategies that will help you build strong bonds and experience more connection with your step-kids — even when they seem resistant.

Sometimes it feels like no matter how much you try to connect with your step-child, they keep putting up impenetrable walls between you.

But, when you can understand why kids put up walls in the first place, you'll be ready to approach them from a new place of empathy - which will create new opportunities for real change in your relationship.

In this episode, we'll explore five common reasons why kids struggle to accept a stepparent and we'll discover - from a kid's viewpoint - why resisting often seems like the safest way to cope.

"Your emotions follow your stories." If you want to experience more connection and just have more fun in your family, then you've got to "write a new story".

Check out this week's episode to discover how you can re-write your stories so you can feel better — even when you're dealing with stress and conflict.

Don't let conflict steal your connection. Find out how you can actually handle conflict in a way that leads you to more connection and intimacy in your marriage — and in your blended family!

Special occasions are sometimes tough for blended families — Mother's Day is no exception. Disappointment, frustration and resentment are all things I've experienced on Mother's Day and chances are you have too. But it doesn't have to be that way. Find out how to experience something different this year in this episode (and don't miss the tips for husbands too!).

Authority can be difficult to figure out in blended families. There's a lot of conflicting advice out there and in this episode we're just having an honest conversation about it. Check it out.

Clear and healthy boundaries allow for stronger bonds and more satisfying relationships. Check out this episode to find out the best way to set these boundaries in your blended family.

I (Mike) often 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…

How do you help your kids navigate all the transitions and changes of blended family life? Kids in blended families most often feel powerless and helpless. You probably support them, but if you're like most of us you might not know exactly how. In this week's podcast episode, you're going to discover specific steps that will help you connect with your kids and support them through big change…

It's easy to stay focused on the negatives of blended family life. Yes, stepfamilies come with unique challenges — but they also have some very specific opportunities to build Super Strengths. Check out this week's episode from The Blended Family Coaching Show to discover 3 positives that you may not have thought about.

"Why don't my kids see what I see in my new spouse?!" This is a common complaint from bio-parents in blended families. Here's a simple strategy that will help build that bond between step-parent and step-child that really works!

Does it ever feel impossible to juggle all the relational priorities of blended family life? There never seems to be enough time to balance it all. Our suggestion is to STOP trying to balance and take a NEW approach instead…