Sometimes in stepfamilies, we take things out on each other that really are about someone or something from the past. Listen to Ron Deal talk with Shelby Abbott on how to keep unresolved issues of the past from damaging relationships in the present.
The benefit of "fun" is often overlooked when we consider how to build healthy stepfamily relationships. But Ron Deal's podcast guest, Dr. Jim Burns, says it's an important piece that can help connect relationships. Listen to their conversation about why and how intentional play can benefit your family.
Compared to other siblings stepsiblings have less conflict. That may not be as good as it sounds.
Laughter is contagious, right? Well, so is a smile.
Have you ever met a rich person who was miserable?
Should dating and engaged couples talk about money?
Did your mom ever tell you to "Act your best"?
Is self-care the same as selfishness?
Ron, how does autism affect a stepfamily?
Hey Ron, it just occurred to me: I live in a stepfamily, too.
Kids in stepfamilies lose control over many aspects of their lives. Ron Deal talks with two stepsiblings about their adjustments to stepfamily life and how parents can give children a voice and open lines of communication to bring harmony to their home.
Believe it or not, sometimes it’s best not to love best.
How do you help a lost or angry child who battles against the family? Ron Deal speaks with psychologist Danny Huerta on troubled kids in a stepfamily.
Having a healthy self-esteem is a really good thing. But there’s something much better.
Research confirms; spending time together is a quality of strong families.
How do you form a loving relationship with someone who isn’t motivated to love you?
Want a great tip for deepening a friendship? It starts with you sharing you.
Blended & Blessed is a marriage event specifically designed for blended family couples. This podcast episode features a dynamic speaker from our 2021 event, author Laurie Short, with nuggets of wisdom and real-life stories from her stepmom journey.
Have you ever thought, "Maybe I’m being too negative"?
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to forgive a family member than somebody else?
Have you ever noticed that in order to stay alive, you have to keep feeding yourself?
What do you see, when you look at yourself, through heaven’s eyes?
You know what I love? I love it when our family’s in the car and my wife makes a declaration, "Hey, it’s happy hour. It’s time for a Sonic run!
Have you ever gotten confused about which terms to use when referring to someone else’s family members?
Friends. Some of us have a lot of them and some of us have only a few. But do you love them all the same?
Ron, after the end of a relationship, how long should I wait before dating again?
But Ron, I don’t want to date someone who has kids." Well, good. I don’t want you to either.
Want to win the favor of your family? Try love and faithfulness.
Have you ever thought about how dysfunctional the families of the Bible were?
I’m wondering, what helps you to be more like Christ?
Don’t just plan a wedding. Prepare to be married.
Here’s a fun fact for you. In the early years of a blended family the level of stress is typically very high.
Here’s a not so secret quality of strong families. They have fun together.
Ron, I'm marrying a man with adult children. I suppose our family transition will be easier since we have an empty nest, right? Ah, well…
Dad, I just want you to be happy.
The book of Proverbs says, listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. But what about a stepfather or a stepmother’s instruction? Do you have to listen to that, too?
In stepfamilies sometimes family members compete.
If you're single and dating and at least one of you has kids you need to do your homework.
We’ve all heard Romans 5:8; "while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
What you mean start one ourselves? Can we do that?
With well over half of couples today living together before marriage there must be some really good benefits to doing so, right?
Are you waiting to be wanted by someone you care about in your blended family? It's a hard reality for many in the early years. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Cheryl Shumake on how to persevere through the waiting during the wilderness years.
When wisdom calls or speaks do you listen?
When you choose a mate you choose a set of problems for the rest of your life.
Here’s one you haven’t heard in the media lately. Good news about stepparents.
Have you ever noticed that in God’s ministry strategy the wrong person is often the right person?
What would you say to a parent who is actively teaching their child to steal?
Well, you never saw this one coming. You just became a step-grandparent. How do you do that?
Do you want to know if you are ready to marry someone? Do not live together.
Now I know you’ve heard me say some crazy things but this one takes the cake. Learn to endure disharmony in your home.
