https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2025-04-21_S07_E162.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20250421_S07_E162.docx

Tim and Olivia Smith brought six kids into their blended family in 1997. In their conversation with Ron Deal, they share the joys and challenges of melding together two families, how to encourage relationship building between siblings, and how stepparents can move from a place of isolation to a place of belonging in a stepfamily. 

Tim’s daughter, Christie, joins the conversation with her perspective as a teenager from the early years of their blended family. Although the stepmom—stepdaughter relationship is often the hardest to connect, Christie shares how Olivia’s small actions of moving toward her and allowing her to engage at her own pace created a loving, long-lasting relationship that she treasures today as an adult. 

Show Notes and Resources
Get a copy of The Mindful Marriage. 
Get your copy of Blending-100 Day Guide for Step-Parents. 
Learn about Blended Not Broken 
Get our monthly newsletter 

Tim and Olivia Smith brought six kids into their blended family in 1997. In their conversation with Ron Deal, they share the joys and challenges of melding together two families, how to encourage relationship building between siblings, and how stepparents can move from a place of isolation to a place of belonging in a stepfamily. Tim&rsquo;s daughter, Christie, joins the conversation with her perspective as a teenager from the early years of their blended family. Although the stepmom&mdash;stepdaughter relationship is often the hardest to connect, Christie shares how Olivia&rsquo;s small actions of moving toward her and allowing her to engage at her own pace created a loving, long-lasting relationship that she treasures today as an adult.&nbsp;
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-mindful-marriage-create-your-best-relationship-through-understanding-and-managing-yourself/">Get a copy of The Mindful Marriage.</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Get your copy of <a href="https://www.blendednotbroken.org/devotional">Blending-100 Day Guide for Step-Parents</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.blendednotbroken.org/blended-not-broken">Learn about Blended Not Broken</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/familylife-blended-newsletter/">Get our monthly newsletter</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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.

Timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families with Ron Deal, LMFT, LPC.

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Tim & Olivia Smith brought six kids into their blended family. They share with Ron Deal the joys and challenges of relationship building. Tim’s daughter, Christie, joins in with her perspective as a teenager from the early years of their blended family.

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