We know how heartbreaking it can be when your child starts pulling away from you. It can leave you wondering if your ex is negatively influencing them behind the scenes. We’ve lived it.

In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the painful season we went through with Kim’s daughter, Annika. We talk through how to recognize the signs of manipulation, avoid common parenting missteps, and respond in ways that protect your child’s emotional well-being. All while preserving your connection.

Plus, we share the powerful strategy we call “the pebble in the shoe” and how it can shift distorted narratives over time and help your child embrace the truth.

If it seems like you're living under a black cloud, and you're feeling discouraged or defeated, there is hope. You’re not alone, and your story isn't over.

You'll Discover:

• How to identify subtle signs that your co-parent may be manipulating your child — and how you can respond effectively
• Helpful ways to communicate with a hurt, angry, rejecting, distant child.
• A powerful strategy (“the pebble in the shoe”) to gently counter misinformation without escalating conflict
• The importance of remaining steady and staying connected even when your child is distancing themselves from you

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 210. Is Your Child Pulling Away? Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love
• Article by Dr. Bob Evans: 17 Primary Alienation Strategies
• Episode 194. Powerful Tips for Effectively Connecting with Your Angry or Distant Child [ with Dr. Amy J.L. Baker]
• Book by Amy J.L. Baker: Parenting Under Fire - How to Communicate with Your Hurt, Angry, Rejecting, Distant Child
• Episode 195. Connecting with Kim's HARD Child - Facing the Challenges of Parental Alienation
• Episode 161. How do Healthy Parent/Child Roles Help Avoid the Pitfalls of Parentification [with Ron Deal & Lauren Reitsema]
• Episode 112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids
• Episode 113. How to Respond When Being Disregarded, Devalued, or Dismissed by Your Former Spouse
• Episode 175. 8 Tips to Protect Kids From Stress and Tension When Moving Between Homes
• Episode 33. How to Cope with a Difficult Ex and Protect Your Kids

Ready for some extra support?

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

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We would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts. Your review will help others find our podcast.

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Resources

Episode 210. Is Your Child Pulling Away? Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love

Episode 207. 4 Big Myths About Parenting When an Ex Has Different Rules and How to Build Consistency

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

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://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

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Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

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This one hits close to home for us.

In this episode, we’re opening up about a painful season in our parenting journey when Kim’s daughter began pulling away from our home and requesting to spend more time at her dad’s. We know how confusing, heartbreaking, and disorienting this can be, especially for blended families with limited time together.

That’s why we’re sharing 3 essential tips that can help you manage yourself in a tough parenting moment, retain connection with your child, and respond in a healthy, constructive way. You’re not alone—and there is a path forward.

You'll Discover:

• The emotional impact of watching a child distance themselves from you - and how to manage your emotions and reactions.
• How to ask powerful, curious questions that open the door to connection and uncover what's under the surface.
• Why validation can change the tone of any tough parenting conversation.
• A practical way to co-create one new action step with your child, without caving in to their requests.
• The truth about whether kids “get to choose” where they live at a certain age.

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 184. The Heart of Motherhood: Navigating Messy Moments with Empathy and Love (emotional regulation)
• Episode 168. Actionable Steps For Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve
• Episode 33. How to Cope with a Difficult Ex and Protect Your Kids

Ready for some extra support?

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

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Are you ready to join the Blending Together Community? Click this link: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

Resources

Episode 129. What does it take to build and maintain trust in your relationship?

Episode 119. 6 Tips to Grow Empathy and Create More Connection in Your Marriage

Episode 203. How to Make Better Decisions and Solve Problems as a United Team

Episode 108. 3 Unity Breakers that are Detrimental to Your Connection and How You Can Avoid Them

Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership

Episode 192. A Simple Process to Navigate Sensitive Conversations About Each Other's Kids

Episode 154. What practical and emotional shifts can you expect as you blend your family?

Episode 107. 3 Disheartening Realities That No Couple Wants To Go Through - But We all Have To

Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 1 of 2)

Episode 160. A 4-Part Framework for Achievable Expectations and How to Live Them Out

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

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://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

If you've ever wrestled with second-guessing yourself, feeling stuck in past mistakes, or wondering if you can truly trust yourself again, you're not alone.

In this episode, we open up about the very real struggles with self-doubt that we’ve faced personally and that we often see in the blended couples we coach.

Together, we're exploring five powerful habits that can help you break free from the cycle of self-doubt and start building real, lasting confidence. We’ll share practical mindset shifts and simple steps you can take today to start building more self-trust.

We hope that you’ll walk away feeling seen, encouraged, and ready to believe in yourself again — because real healing, growth, and breakthrough are possible.

You'll Discover:

• 5 essential habits to break free from self-doubt and trust in yourself
  • Replace self-criticism with self-compassion.
  • Conquer fear, guilt, and worry.
  • Embrace a growth mindset.
  • Speak up with confidence.
  • Let go of perfectionism by adjusting your expectations.
• Why your daily habits matter more than your genetics or past experiences when it comes to self-confidence.
• Simple tools to overcome self-sabotaging habits and learn to trust yourself.

Resources from this Episode:

• Check out our supportive community, Blending Together
• Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
• The Beginner's Guide to Self-Compassion by Nick Wignall
• Episode 99. 3 Tips to Help You Move Beyond Painful Guilt and Regret
• Episode 180. Break free from Guilt and Blend with Authenticity and Security
• Episode 179. Conquer Fear and Embrace Your Blend with Confidence and Clarity
• Episode 165. How important is your mindset when it comes to blended family life?
• Episode 50. How to Openly Communicate What You Really Want (Assertive Communication)
• What Causes Perfectionism and How to Get Over It by Nick Wignall
• Episode 14. 3 Helpful Steps to Overcome Your "Perfectionist" Ideals and Disappointments
• Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 1 of 2)

Ready for some extra support?

We're here to help! Schedule your free coaching call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

We would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts . Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

Additional Resources

Episode 178. Suriving the Turbulent Teen Years: Expert Insight and Strategies for Today's Parent [with Dr. Michael Bradley]

Episode 124. How to Effectively Parent Through Each Stage of Development - and Reduce Painful Interactions (Part 1)

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

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://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you. We really appreciate your feedback!

In this episode, we share a practical and powerful strategy to help step-parents confidently navigate solo time with their stepchildren.

Whether you're a biological parent or a step-parent, this episode is for you! You'll discover how preparation, communication, and teamwork can transform tension into opportunities for connection.

The key? A simple but often overlooked strategy called the Transfer of Power. You don't want to 'wing it' when flying solo with step-kids — instead, be smart and plan for success.

You'll Discover:

• Why solo time can trigger anxiety, fear, or dread for step-parents
• How the "Transfer of Power" can set the step-parent up for success - and the critical role of the bio-parent
• Steps to prepare beforehand: Anticipate tension, plan for fun, and discuss expectations
• How to manage yourself and the kids during solo time — without power struggles
• Simple strategies to stay calm and set kind, clear boundaries
• How to reflect as a couple and make improvements for next time

Resources from this Episode:

• Episode 192. A Simple Process to Navigate Sensitive Conversations About Each Other's Kids
• Episode 204. 4 Facets of Stepparenting: Defining Appropriate Roles and Responsibilities (Part 1 of 2)
• Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 1 of 2)
• Episode 158. An Effective Stepparenting Approach Focused on What Works - and What Doesn't
• Episode 159. How to Stay Hopeful as a Stepparent When You're Continually Rejected and Hurt
• Episode 85. How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal]
• Episode 37. Why do kids struggle to accept their stepparent?
• Episode 39. How to Create Strong Bonds with Resistant Stepkids

Ready for some extra support?

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

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

We would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Your review will help others find our podcast. :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review”. Thank you. We really appreciate your feedback!

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

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://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!