melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Learning to balance both business and family life can be challenging, but even more so in the blended family. If you don’t get it right, you can end up being overwhelmed or filled with guilt and regret. Some tips I have for you in this show include… give yourself some downtime schedule family time phone free dinners leave work at work delegate use a calendar effectively do the most important things first multi tasking is not always be...
Feb 22, 2016•18 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Jealousy is a normal human emotion, but sometimes it can interfere with our relationships. It is very common in the blended family to struggle with feelings of jealousy when it comes to your partner's ex spouse or their children. Some common types of jealousy blended families face are jealousy of the partner's ex spouse and their history together jealousy of the partner's ex spouse and their current relationship as co parents jealousy...
Feb 15, 2016•22 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com When Valentine's Day comes once a year, it reminds us of the importance of connecting with our partner. However, we don’t need to wait until Valentine's Day to connect. There are simple things we can do every day to show our partner we care for them and to help us stay connected. In this week’s episode, I have 20 easy things you can do! Complement one another Kiss Send your partner a card Give gifts Make eye contact Have date nights C...
Feb 08, 2016•20 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Judge Susan Sexton is the host of the 50 Shades of Divorce podcast. She has been on both sides,as she has been a judge, and she has also experienced her own divorce. In this interview we discuss… Susan’s own journey what to expect from her podcast common court issues from divorce mistakes couples make process of divorce hiring an attorney judge selection state laws To connect with Susan, please use the links below Website Facebook Pod...
Feb 01, 2016•27 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Do you ever get frustrated when people pass judgement on you just because you have a blended family? Or do you sometimes realize that you have your own misconceptions about your blended family? In this episode I talk about some of those and what to do about it. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodca...
Jan 25, 2016•16 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com This is the second part of the meditation podcast that we started last week with expert Chel Hamilton. She created a special meditation mini just for us. Connect with Chel and hear all of her podcasts www.meditationminis.com Donate to my cupid run www.blendedfamilypodcast.com/cupid Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melis...
Jan 18, 2016•13 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Connect with Chel Hamilton Website Twitter In this interview, I speak with Chel Hamilton, host of the Meditaion Mini’s Podcast. She teaches us all about the practice of meditation. In this show, we discuss Chels own story with meditation what is a guided meditation how to overcome feelings of discomfort how do we find the time to meditate proper methods or practices of meditation physical and mental benefits of meditation how to help ...
Jan 11, 2016•28 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com The beginning of the year is a great time to set new goal, or healthy habits for the year to come. In this show, I tell you how to set those goals, plus I give you many ideas to get you started. I encourage you to make your own list of specific, measurable, and realistic goals. My list here are the ideas mentioned in the show. financial goals fitness goals nutrition goals family goals connect with people cut stress have more couples t...
Jan 04, 2016•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Arguing with your kids is a part of parenting that we all could do without. Children are great at it, and they do it to use their power. You can have a more peaceful home by learning how to diffuse these arguments. My ten tips Don't argue back Learn to walk away Provide choices Encourage Communication Model good behavior Set boundaries Learn to compromise Only discuss the issue at hand Let your child walk away Learn how to recover fro...
Dec 21, 2015•16 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Update on our son, who was recently in a car accident Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com...
Dec 14, 2015•12 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Putting children in the middle is one of the biggest mistakes we make as divorced parents. Whether it’s intentional or accidental, it always hurts the children. There are reasons why we do this and some very common mistakes we make. Children always pay the price. Protect your children by learning to avoid this common pitfall, your children will thank you for it! Pledge to help parents from putting kids in the middle of their divorce, ...
Dec 07, 2015•21 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com A big issue that blended families face is when each family comes from a different religious background. Though certainly not a deal breaker, this can definitely cause some upset in the family, whether from ex partners, or in the current situation. I’ll give you some tips on how to deal with an ex, and also go over some common challenges. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Conne...
Nov 30, 2015•17 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com As I am very close to my year anniversary of doing the podcast, I thought it would be fitting to have Shawn, my number one supporter, on the show. If you want to get to know my other half, please listen in as we talk about our differing parenting styles Shawns past anger issues communication importance of quality time our engagement story other listener questions If you enjoy hearing Shawn on the show, please send us some feedback on ...
Nov 23, 2015•31 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Helping a child through the loss of a parent can be very difficult. There are many things you can do to help support your child/children through a traumatic loss like this, such as keep your personal feelings out of it don't speak negatively about the parent who has passed get the child therapy communicate with the child don't rush the child make a memorial space for the child in their room keep your child active talk to their teacher...
Nov 16, 2015•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Every blended family can benefit from learning simple tips to save time and money. In this show, I go over my top ten tips of each! Tips to save time Food Prep Prepare things the night before Delegate chores and responsibilities Exercise at home Online shopping Follow a cleaning schedule, or hire someone Wake up earlier Use your schedule wisely Split tasks with your partner Learn to say no And the tips to save money Make a list and st...
Nov 09, 2015•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com In cases of infidelity, having a blended family can certainly add more complications to the mix. Whether you’re struggling with the knowledge of a past affair or going through it now in your current relationship, this episode can help. Cheating doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. There are ways to move forward past infidelity and go on to have a successful relationship. We will also talk about some do’s and don't’s, and how to deal wit...
Nov 02, 2015•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sometimes we get so caught up in negativity that we lose sight of what's wonderful right in front of us. Blended families are stressful, and we can forget all the blessings that they do bring us. Let me show you how to change your mindset, improve your mood, love and appreciate your blended family! When you change your focus, anything is possible. Ten things to help improve your mood. Eat well Exercise Breathe or meditate Change your ...
Oct 26, 2015•21 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Joint custody arrangements are becoming much more the norm in modern divorce. For those that have joint custody arrangements, you know that there are many challenges you must face. To start, we discuss the difference between joint physical and joint legal custody, and some factors in making that decision. We also discuss some challenges you might face such as communication scheduling parental influence transportation effects on the ne...
Oct 19, 2015•22 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Marty L Ward is championing the movement to Create Confident Kids. When a 10 yr old little girl hung herself rather than face the bully back in 2011, Marty said, “ENOUGH!” Despite all our school regulations and “Anti-Bullying” and “Stop Bullying” campaigns, 4,400 students commit suicide each year, and 160,000 are absent every day due to fear of confronting the bully. Fed up with the rising statistics, Marty looked for an answer. Influ...
Oct 12, 2015•33 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Michele Rosenthal is an award-winning PTSD blogger, bestselling and award-nominated author, host of the radio program, Changing Direction, and founder of HealMyPTSD.com. A former faculty member of the Clinical Development Institute for Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, Michele is also a trauma survivor who struggled with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for over twenty-five years. Then, she launched a successful “hea...
Oct 05, 2015•32 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Part four and the last of the perspectives series. Are you a bio dad who wants to know if what you are feeling is normal? Are you a mom who wants to know where the bio dad in your life is coming from? Listen to this show to gain some perspective and insight from bio dads who really want to be heard. Here are some important questions we address what’s the biggest challenge you face as a bio dad? what’s the thing you love most about bei...
Sep 28, 2015•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Part three of the perspectives series. Are you a stepdad who wants to know if what you are feeling is normal? Are you a mom who wants to know where the stepdad in your life is coming from? Listen to this show to gain some perspective and insight from stepdads who really want to be heard. Here are some important questions we address what’s the biggest challenge you face as a stepdad? what’s the thing you love most about being a stepdad...
Sep 21, 2015•16 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Part two of the perspectives series. Are you a bio mom who wants to know if what you are feeling is normal? Are you a step parent who wants to know where the bio mom in your life is coming from? Listen to this show to gain some perspective and insight from bio moms who really want to be heard. Here are some important questions we address what’s the biggest challenge you face as a bio mom? what’s the thing you love most about being a b...
Sep 14, 2015•19 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Part one of the perspectives series. Are you a stepmom who wants to know if what you are feeling is normal? Are you a bio parent who wants to know where the stepmom in your life is coming from? Listen to this show to gain some perspective and insight from stepmoms who really want to be heard. Here are some important questions we address what’s the biggest challenge you face as a stepmom? what’s the thing you love most about being a st...
Sep 07, 2015•23 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sending the kids back to school is always a transition. You want to set up for success, and have that transition go as smooth as possible. I share my top ten tips for a successful school year, which are Establish routines Use alarm clocks Set designated homework times and areas Use family calendars Be smart about meal planning Teach your kids time management skills Talk about head lice prevention Keep the kids healthy Correspond with ...
Aug 31, 2015•15 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Setting proper boundaries is essential in the blended family home. Everyone needs to know what is acceptable and what is not in order to maintain some kind of peace in the home. Some tips on setting boundaries include doing so from the beginning, holding family meetings, and practicing good communication. If you’re wondering who needs boundaries, well everyone. Though you will find the most necessary boundaries are set with the childr...
Aug 24, 2015•22 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com This show is all about you! I answer some listener questions! Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com...
Aug 17, 2015•20 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Family Contracts can be very helpful in the blended family. When children move from home to home, behavior and rules can get a little out of control. Contracts can help get everyone on the same page. There are many different types of contracts that you can draw up, depending on the child and what their specific needs are. Some examples are a cell phone contract, a driving contract, a behavioral contract, or a chore/reward contract. Li...
Aug 10, 2015•21 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Ending a relationship is a very hard decision to make, especially if you have a blended family. Lots of lives are affected by your decisions. If you and your partner come to the realization that the relationship is not working, there are some tips to help you get through the process more smoothly. Make sure this is definitely what you want Don’t repeat previous mistakes or old patterns Learn from this experience Talk to the kids openl...
Aug 03, 2015•16 min
melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Dr. Jennifer Wider is a women's health expert, author and radio host who frequently appears on television shows including the Today Show, CBS News, and ABC News Nightline. She is the author of 4 books including her most recent: Got Teens, the Doctor Moms' Guide to Sexuality, Social Media and Other Adolescent Realities, w/ Dr. Logan Levkoff. She is a medical adviser to Cosmopolitan Magazine and has written hundreds of articles for a va...
Jul 27, 2015•53 min
