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It can be hard to navigate how to raise your children with your spouse, but when you mix in the mine, yours and ours kids, it cant feel like you're juggling too many things at once. Dana discusses her tips on raising them differently and trying to meet your bonus children half way.  PSA: this will take an open minded and patient person to attempt. Enjoy!

Back in the saddle again!! It's been a few months since I recorded anything. Life has been an absolute gong show and I can't believe how good it feels to sit down and talk it out. Just a little update on what's been going on in my house with my family and why I felt the need to take a break and focus on ALL. OF. IT. In this episode I'll fill you in on an update with my dad's health, and what that relationship with him is like. An update on what it's like raising a teenager who is having a rough time with peers at school and how all of the co-parents are dealing with that together- and what it's like now that my husband is working away. Thanks for tuning in and being so patient, much love to you all!

A letter to my bonus daughter. These are all things that I have reminded her throughout the entire time we've been a blended family- but I felt the need to get those feelings out to inspire others. We have had so many ups and downs that I think it's so important to remember the times when we were getting to know each other and the relationships were being built. I know how many cons there can be when comparing a blended family to a nuclear family, but how many people not only get to fall in love with their spouse but their children as well! It's a feeling like no other and I am so grateful for what I have.  "Tomorrow is never promised, so love and appreciate the people who are in your life"- Unknown

Discussing such a controversial topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on (of course everyone is entitled to have one). At what age is best to give your child a cell phone? What about social media? And is it something we should be discussing with our co parents before deciding to purchase one for our kids? Dana talks about her experience with her bonus child's social media and how it has affected her blended family. 

An update on my bonus daughter's upcoming birthday, and walking through all of the insecurities that we as Stepmom's have rolling through our brains on a daily basis. Let's start rewiring our brains to thinking differently about what we are actually worried about and just cut ourselves some slack! 

Have you ever felt the whole room shift when you and your spouse exist in the same room with other people? Or maybe you have some mutual friends that have heard both sides of the drama? This episode is for you. Let's set some boundaries together and learn to control what we let affect us. If this type of drama is affecting people outside of the home, can you imagine how our children feel....It's time to do better, together!

Merry Christmas!! Dana updates you on how Christmas went with her blended family and the special moments that were captured along the way. It's not everyday we have MULTIPLE positives but this holiday season was very special!  Dana discusses the 6 things that she does between Christmas and New Years to keep her family on the right track and get things back to normalcy to be the most productive she can be.

Amanda & Dana welcome Megan from Instagram (@be.arrows4homeschool) onto the show, where she chats with us about homeschool and how that works for her blended family. We talk about how in the world she was able to get all of the parents on the same page, homeschool curriculums, a day in the life of a homeschool and other wonderful resources she has to inform us with when looking into homeschooling your kids. We hope you enjoy!

Dana gives an update on what's going on with the podcast right now, updates listeners on a small win involving a hair appt with her bonus daughter and shares all of her trials and tribulations regarding how different the two households are and how it is affecting her bonus daughter.

Dana tells a few naughty Christmas jokes (sorry, not sorry) and gives some advice on preparing for the holidays before shit hits the fan! Don't be afraid to reach out to us if you had something else to add. Please remember that we are not experts and thought not all of this may be applicable to you and your family. Enjoy!

Dana goes solo on this episode to discuss self reflection of your role as a stepmom. Have you ever thought about whether or not you add conflict to your blended family? It is something that you may be doing regularly that you didn't even think was a big deal. Dana gives 6 examples of high conflict behavior and examples of situations she has been through and changed for the better. You are not alone- enjoy the show!

Amanda and Dana catch up on Halloween, recent events and all of the things we didn't know when getting into a blended family. Raise your hand if, while venting about an issue, anyone has ever told you "You knew what you were getting yourself into..".  This is literally the worst thing you can say to a step parent because not one of us actually knew how any of this would pan out. There are certainly a lot of beautiful and amazing experiences to be had but society has drawn a veil on a lot of the dark times. Did you think you would be dealing with: Competitive Parenting Alienation Mourning the loss of your goals  Court hearings, lawyers, arbitration and psychologists Ya us either...tune in with us to go into more depth and just remember...you're not alone!