077. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging
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Maybe we all start out on a similar romantic path — we meet, connect at a deep level and then fall in love.
But when the dating stage gives way to everyone living under the same roof, blended family couples inevitably seem to be thrust toward a path of unforeseen challenges that robs them of that connection and excitement of falling in love.
Why is this? Because a blended family marriage is simply different than a first-family marriage.
You might believe that when it comes to marriage, there shouldn't be much difference between a blended family couple and first family couples — this seems quite reasonable.
But the truth is, holding onto that belief for too long will typically lead to feeling trapped in disappointment, discouragement, and disconnection. It's an unrealistic expectation to think that connection and romance in a blended family will look the same as in a first family.
We fell into this trap too — and stayed stuck for several years (in fact, this thought process almost ended our marriage). Thankfully we learned how to get out of the trap of this false belief that was actually stealing away our ability to build a romantic life together. It started with a really simple step — naming and accepting the differences.
In this episode, we'll uncover the 3 most challenging differences between a first-family marriage and a blended-family marriage — and why we're all prone to experiencing these.
You'll Discover:
Why understanding the differences between a first-family marriage and a blended-family marriage is so important
3 major differences that impact almost every blended family couple
How to prepare yourself for unexpected challenges in your relationship
The importance of retaining your connection to safeguard your marriage
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 72: The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships
Gil & Brenda Stuart's Article: Remarried Couples Can Be Astronomically Different…Here’s How
Episode 5: How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers from Your Past
Episode 21: What is the Stranded Stranger & Trapped Teammate Experience? (Part 1)
Episode 59: Why Are You Stuck in a Parent-Child Allegiance? (Part 1)
iMOM Article: Put the Spark Back in Your Marriage with a Spark Jar
Ready for personalized support? Schedule your free coaching call
We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you. That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.
Join our community
You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether
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