176: How to Help Kids Cope with Divorce and Remarriage
Divorce…hurts. But for kids caught in the middle, it can feel like the world has split in two. How can you help kids cope with divorce and remarriage? Summer Butler, creator of Blended: Navigating Life Between Two Homes, cracks open a healing workbook for kids juggling two homes, big feelings, and confusing rules. Hear her raw story, then discover how drawing, writing, and boundary-setting can bring clarity, comfort—and even joy. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Summer, and get her workbook, BLENDED, Navigating Life Between Two Homes www.blendedbookco.com Search for virtual groups Get the 2025 Summit All-access digital pass Order a copy of The Mindful Marriage Make donation to FamilyLife Blended The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
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175: Blended Holidays Are Complicated. Here’s How They Made It Work
What do red sweaters, a ski trip “familymoon,” and a Christmas sleepover have to do with healing after loss? A lot, actually. Join pastor and author Rob Bugh, pediatrician Rhonda Williams Bugh, and their adult kids Kyle and Nate as they revisit the rocky, grace-filled early years of blending two grieving families—and navigating those first blended holidays. It's raw, real, and rich with hope and hard-won wisdom. Show Notes and Resources Summit on Stepfamily Ministry details Find a virtual group for blended family couples Order a copy of When the Bottom Drops Out The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training International Therapy provider list FamilyLife Resources and Events See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
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174: More Than Just A Stepparent: Helping a Grieving Child Heal
When a child loses a parent, grief doesn't end for them. And when they join a stepfamily, we need to come alongside them with love and support as parents and stepparents as we honor their pain and memories. Ron Deal talks with Diane Fromme about what helps and what hinders, especially as stepparents with grieving stepchildren. Fromme explains how a stepparent can never replace a biological parent and functions as an "and," not an "instead." Stepparents will likely face rejection, insecurity, and feelings of being an outsider; however, with humility and ongoing love and support, they can, over time, develop meaningful and significant relationships with stepchildren following loss. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Diane and get a copy of, Stepparenting the Grieving Child You can still register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Find a small group on the searchable map and browse Ron's speaking schedule Send a gift to help with FamilyLife Blended's work See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
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173: When Your Brains Are Different: Finding Your Way in a Neurodivergent Marriage
A neurodivergent marriage is when at least one partner has a neurodevelopmental condition like autism or ADHD. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Stephanie Holmes and her husband, Dan, who struggled to face that their young child was on the autism spectrum. Many years later, Dan discovered his own autism diagnosis.Neurodiverse couples face unique challenges with communication, emotional expression, and sensory sensitivities that can include physical touch and intimacy, along with a lack of understanding between both partners. Stephanie & Dan offer support and guidance on how to recognize neurodiversity and strategies to cope with it. Show Notes and Resources Register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Learn more about Dr. Stephanie and Dan Holmes and their book Uniquely Us Read Ron and Dr. Stephanie Holmes article: Autism and the blended family Learn more about Embracing The Autism Spectrum Listen to podcast 46: Autism and the Blended Family Give a tax-deductible gift See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
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172: Beautifully Blended: Devotions and Resources for Every Kind of Blended Family
Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace about her new book, Beautifully Blended: 101 Devotions to Encourage Couples in Blended Families. This book offers support and advice with relatable anecdotes, along with a devotion, prayer, and Bible reading for each day. Every day dynamics in blended families are addressed with answers to common situations that often create struggle, such as stepparenting, co-parenting, marital conflict, and challenges in relationship-building. Grace offers practical tips that provide hope for blended families by encouraging them to trust God, seek His wisdom, persevere through challenges, offer grace freely and often, count their blessings, and recognize God’s redeeming power in relationships. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Gayla Get your copy of Beautifully Blended! Make plans to join us in Nashville at the Summit! Send a tax-deductible gift to FamilyLife Blended. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
FamilyLife Blended® provides timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families and those who love them. Join Ron L. Deal, LMFT, LPC as he and his guests discuss a wide variety of marriage, family, and relationship topics related to blended families.
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