Blended Family Podcast

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com This episode I talk about some of my own recent struggles, and what I’ve learned from them. Plus I answer some listener questions.   What to do when two parents have completely different parenting styles How to help children who have been taken from their mom What to do when you don’t like the choices the other parent is making for your kids in their home   And a giveaway! 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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Katie Brewer started Your Richest Life because she believes that every professional should have access to a financial planner. Katie helps clients alleviate their stress about money by helping them clarify their goals, identify and eliminate obstacles to those goals, and create a financial action plan to achieve them.  Katie has accumulated over 10 years of experience working with clients and their money. She is no stranger to hard work as she pursued both her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certification and her MBA while working full time. Katie has been quoted in articles in The New York Times, Forbes, Money, Lifehacker, and Real Simple and she regularly blogs about financial planning topics. She often speaks to groups about financial education.   In this episode, she joins me to talk about estate planning, which is a sensitive and challenging topic for blended families. We talk about   What is estate planning 9 things to keep in mind when plann

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Being a stepparent certainly comes with challenges, but it does have its plus sides too. In this episode I will share what those are so that you can shift your perspective.   You get to be the fun one You do not have to be the disciplinarian You are looked at differently than mom or dad You get to develop your own special relationship You can be influential in their life You get to help a family You get to walk away or get a break You bring new perspectives in the mix You are listened to in a different way You can learn a lot about yourself from being a stepparent 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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown      

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Living in the shadows of an ex or a deceased partner can be really difficult to navigate. Both situations have similarities, but both need to be handled in different ways. We will talk about photos, memories, family and friends, and children in this episode. Plus I’ll share three emails from listeners about this topic. 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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com     Raising teenagers can be extremely challenging and frustrating. As parents, we can get caught up in the negativity of it all, and we can forget to enjoy the journey. Hopefully this show can help to shift your perspective a bit, so that you can see the joys in between the madness!     Listen to my interview on the Couple Money Podcast here     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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Anxiety is something that many people suffer from nowadays, especially in a blended family. Even children are more prone to anxiety now than ever before.   My guest, Stephanie’s Dalfonzo’s first career was as Stevie Knox,” one of South Florida’s most popular radio DJs during the 80s and early 90s. Shifting careers as she raised her children, she delved into the Healing Arts. Over 20 years later, Stephanie is now a Speaker, Spiritual Healer and Coach, Yoga Teacher and Certified Hypnotist (among other things). Sharing inspirational empowerment with simple action steps. Stephanie empowers women to move from anxiety, fear, stress and despair to freedom, peace of mind and joy in their lives. She has freed thousands of people, from  ages 8 to 82, from their fears, stress and anxiety.   In this interview, we talk about   Her personal story What anxiety actually is and what it feels like Why anxiety seems to be more prevalent these days Medication and a

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Happy Father's Day! My own husband and favorite dad, Shawn,  joins me this week to talk about his own parenting journey this year, which has been especially challenging. We talk about   What life was like before he had custody of his son Emotions he experienced when he gained custody Some of the challenges he faced this year Guilt he has experienced Some positives that happened this year His advice on why it's important to be open with the kids Aspirations for the coming year Advice to other dads And much more         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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Stepparents who have no bio children of their own are commonly called childless stepparents. They deal with issues and emotions that are unique from bio parents and stepparents who are bio parents as well. In this episode, I will discuss those issues, which are   Feeling unimportant Feeling like you take a backseat Feeling unqualified or being told that you are Feeling like you're missing out on time and experiences Feeling worried about having a child of your own Feelings of jealousy Feeling like an outsider Feeling like you’re not respected Feelings of anger and resentment   Also I will discuss some ways to help overcome the above issues, which are   Acknowledge and accept your feelings Involve yourself Bond with the child Be yourself Communicate your needs and feelings Practice self care Have date nights and alone time Separate your feelings for the child from bio parent Don't take it personal     Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Deciding whether to live together or apart is a big decision for a blended family. Some blended families need to try it both ways to decide which works best for them. In this episode I outline ten things to consider when making this important decision. Plus I’ll list some pros and cons of both.   The length of your relationship The quality of your relationship The ages of your kids The relationship between the stepkids How well do you and your partner co parent How do the kids feel about the situation What is your value on a stress free and peaceful life What is the difference in expenses from one home to two Shared care of living together opposed to caring for children alone What is your ideal family vision   Read this article from the Huffington Post! This Blended Family Doesn’t Live Together And They’re Happier For It     Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Amy Baker has a PhD from teachers college of Columbia University. She has 25 years conducting research on parent-child relationships and child maltreatment. She is an author or co-author of 8 books and over 100 articles. She is a nationally recognized expert in parental alienation. She has trained legal and mental health professionals around the country and served as an expert in courtrooms in the US and Canada. She also provides telephone coaching to help targeted parents enhance their relationship with their alienated children.   In this interview we discuss Her personal story How to prevent parental alienation Loyalty conflict Methods to cope with parental alienation And much more   Connect with Amy Website Twitter Buy the book 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 Speakp

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Many of us know someone who suffers from mental illness. Whether it’s a partner, a child or stepchild, or an ex spouse, it can be difficult navigating that terrain, especially in a blended family. My guest today, John Cordray is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor and he owns a private practice in St. Louis, Missouri. John is also very active as a Mental Health advocate on social media and his podcast, The Mental Health Today Show. John’s passion is to help as many people who are struggling with a mental illness and to help end the stigma that so often is associated with Mental Health.   In this interview we discuss His personal story His podcast and youtube channel How to cope with an ex who has a mental illness Narcissism Protecting children whose parent has mental illness How to cope when your partner has mental illness Listener questions Teenagers and mental health And much more Connect with John Website Po

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Happy Mother’s Day! For this Mother’s Day special, I am featuring three mom podcasters that I think are making a big impact in the world! Shawn Fink is the founder of The Abundant Mama Project and the author of “The Playful Family” and “The Abundant Mama’s Guide to Savoring Slow.” She is the mother of twin girls, Jadyn and Liana, and a family wellness coach for mothers around the world. Her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen.com, Scary Mommy, Dr.Green.com and The Shriver Report. Connect with Shawn Website Facebook Twitter Mary Grace is the host of The Global Mom Show Podcast, a show that helps moms cultivate a global perspective in their own life and in their children's'. Mary Grace is a wife, a mom of three boys, a former expat and development worker, and a freelance writer for nonprofits and businesses. She has a master's degree in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from the SIT Graduate Institute, and she has

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Linda Ricci, another special listener, also reached out to me in the efforts of sharing her story of abuse. Both her and my last guest, Lisa Paige, met through our private facebook group, where they discovered they had a similar experience. Linda also feels it is her calling to help others, and she feels getting her story out is the first step. In this interview we discuss:   Her marriage How the abuse started How religion played a role in her marriage What prompted her to leave after 20 years How the kids handled things Narcissistic characteristics of her ex husband How her ex is doing today What she learned from her experience Her new relationship Her words of wisdom Resources she recommends   You can connect with Linda in our private facebook group! 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

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   One of my special listeners, Lisa Paige, has reached out to me in the hopes that I would share her story. This is a personal story of abuse, but she has persevered! Lisa now has a better relationship and a blended family! In this interview she shares:   About her family How the abuse started Why she stayed for so long What triggered her decision to leave How she decided to let her husband know she was leaving him What happened after the divorce Where life took her after the divorce Lessons she learned along the way Words of wisdom to others who are stuck in abusive relationships   If you want to connect with Lisa, you can find her in our private facebook group. She feels it is her mission to help others who are in a similar place as she was. 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 a

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   As an alienated parent and victim of family court corruption, Wendy Perry (formerly Archer) became motivated to bring awareness and education about parental alienation out of the shadows. Her advocacy work has included coordinating and hosting the annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day event in Dallas/Fort Worth Texas and other large events such as the Parental Alienation Symposium drawing attendees from around the world, hosting monthly support group and advocacy meetings, meeting with legislators in Washington DC about family court reform as well as doing TV, radio and magazine interviews to raise awareness and education.  The corruption in Wendy’s family court case was so extreme that it was featured in the documentary Divorce Corp.  Having previously served on the board of directors for PAAO Canada and as a co-founder of PAAO USA; Wendy has most recently co-founded and serves as one of the officers for the non-profit organization PAAO Inter

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Every blended family has to deal with transition days, and every child deals with transitions in a different way. Most parents and step parents dread this, as they know they are in for some behavior that can be out of character. In this episode I’ll talk about   Transition day behaviors Why transitions are hard for our children Why transition days are hard for parents What parents can do to make things easier for both themselves and their kids Importance of working together with your partner 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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178          

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   When you’re a parent in a blended family, you don't have time to get sick. Unfortunately, it happens, and it’s never convenient. It’s important to learn some tips to prevent illness, but I also have tips for when find yourself under the weather.   Don't be afraid to ask for help Seek medical help if necessary Do the bare minimum Let go of perfectionism If your home with the kids, make it easy on yourself Let go of the guilt 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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Elle Martinez is the creator of Couple Money, a personal finance site and podcast focused on helping spouses build their marriage and wealth together. She shares tips, advice, and stories from her own journey and others about dumping debt, taking care of family, and dealing with sticky situations that many marriages encounter.   She joins me for a discussion of finances and blended families. In this interview we discuss   Her personal story The couple money podcast Bank accounts in blended families Child support Debt Childrens expenses Saving money College funds Estate planning And much more! Elle recommends NAPFA National Association of Financial Advisors GuideVine   To connect with Elle Website Facebook Twitter 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 webs

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Most divorced couples lack great communication skills, which makes co parenting much harder than it needs to be. Healthy communication with your ex creates a peaceful environment for your children, and also sets a great example for them that they will model when they grow up.   My 15 tips for better communication with your ex are   Never use the kids as a go between Never argue in front of the kids Learn to pick and choose your battles Avoid being sarcastic, disrespectful, and rude Set boundaries, and stick to them Don't bring up the past when communicating Practice empathy Treat your ex the way you want to be treated Put your children first Texting and email should be your chosen method of communication Choose your words carefully Monitor your tone Avoid topics that will trigger your ex Learn to listen Learn to compromise   Listen to my interview with Dr Jennelle on The Big Change of Heart Podcast! Click here, and find episode #44 Join the P

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Our children get enough negativity in the outside world. At home, we need to counteract that by building them up. A healthy self esteem is so important for children to have, and it is our job as parents to help them have a positive self image. We can change their story, and teach them how to change their own. Some ideas to help are   Notice when they do something right Tell them you are proud of them Compliment them every day Tell them they are beautiful   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 Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955