https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2025-05-05_S07_E163.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20250505_S07_E163.docx

The stepmom-stepdaughter relationship often includes competing loyalties and confusing dynamics and can be the hardest relationship to navigate when blending a family. Ron Deal talks with stepmom Jessica Pickens and her bonus daughter, Jayla, about their ongoing struggles, cutting through tension, which began early and continued for years, and how they finally built a loving, trusting relationship with one another. 
Jayla explains how her position as a “Daddy’s girl” and her relationship with her own mother impacted her desire for a bonus mom. She didn’t respond well to Jessica’s nurturing, and tension escalated as she got older. In time, Jessica began to understand the complexity of their relationship, change her expectations, and parent Jayla differently. Slowly, their relationship moved toward understanding and love toward one another.

Show Notes and Resources
New To Our Community? Here's a gift for you! 
Watch Women & Blended Families on YouTube 
Learn about Jessica and Blended Family Matters and their podcast 
Jessica and Jayla's podcast with Ron. 
Give a tax-deductible gift. 
Check out Ron's events. 

The stepmom-stepdaughter relationship often includes competing loyalties and confusing dynamics and can be the hardest relationship to navigate when blending a family. Ron Deal talks with stepmom Jessica Pickens and her bonus daughter, Jayla, about their ongoing struggles, cutting through tension, which began early and continued for years, and how they finally built a loving, trusting relationship with one another. Jayla explains how her position as a &ldquo;Daddy&rsquo;s girl&rdquo; and her relationship with her own mother impacted her desire for a bonus mom. She didn&rsquo;t respond well to Jessica&rsquo;s nurturing, and tension escalated as she got older. In time, Jessica began to understand the complexity of their relationship, change her expectations, and parent Jayla differently. Slowly, their relationship moved toward understanding and love toward one another.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/content-offers/building-love-with-the-five-ps-of-stepparenting/">New To Our Community? Here's a gift for you!</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/O2R6SnLAVRI?si=qBa4AfChWKbjpdsH">Watch Women &amp; Blended Families on YouTube</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://bfmacademy.org/">Learn about Jessica and Blended Family Matters and their podcast</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/QBNa3dwH3sY?si=3XFdsJ2iTxzHUyCw">Jessica and Jayla's podcast with Ron.</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give a tax-deductible gift.</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/events/find-an-event">Check out Ron's events.</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

The stepmom-stepdaughter relationship can be hard to navigate in blended families. Ron Deal talks with Jessica & Jayla Pickens about their struggles, which began early & continued for years, how they cut through tension, and built a trusting relationship.

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