https://transcript.familylife.com/fl2026-04-13.pdf

https://transcript.familylife.com/docs/fl2026-04-13.docx

Blended families face unique battles: guilt-paralyzed bio parents, stepparents feeling threatened, ex-spouses overstepping. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace unpack traps that sabotage marriage and parenting—erase/replace mindsets, unilateral fixes, defensiveness—and show how co-parents can lean in, communicate intent, and send “no-threat” messages. When couples unite around kids, check in before ex-decisions, and prioritize long-term child good, hope, stability, and even transformation become possible.

Show Notes and Resources
Resources for blended families familylife.com/blended
Save the date! Blended & Blessed® is happening April 18, 2026. Find details at blendedandblessed.com
Ron Deal & Gayla Grace on common blended family traps
Get the Smart StepMom book on FamilyLife's shop. 
Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
Follow us on all social platforms: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Find resources from our podcast at shop.familylife.com.
Download FamilyLife's app!
Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

Blended families face unique battles: guilt-paralyzed bio parents, stepparents feeling threatened, ex-spouses overstepping. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace unpack traps that sabotage marriage and parenting&mdash;erase/replace mindsets, unilateral fixes, defensiveness&mdash;and show how co-parents can lean in, communicate intent, and send &ldquo;no-threat&rdquo; messages. When couples unite around kids, check in before ex-decisions, and prioritize long-term child good, hope, stability, and even transformation become possible.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li>Resources for blended families <a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">familylife.com/blended</a></li>
<li>Save the date! Blended &amp; Blessed&reg; is happening April 18, 2026. Find details at <a href="https://www.blendedandblessed.com/">blendedandblessed.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/146-stepfamilies-stepparent-dynamics-and-your-marriage/">Ron Deal &amp; Gayla Grace on common blended family traps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-smart-stepmom-paperback/">Get the Smart StepMom book</a> on FamilyLife's shop.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<ul>
<li>Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at <a href="https://CSBible.com">CSBible.com</a>.</li>
<li>Follow us on all social platforms: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/familylifeministry">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/familylife.today/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSzse1nmlqbLhDx5FpGVDgLmxy1rmQBau">YouTube</a></li>
<li>Find resources from our podcast at <a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product-category/radio-resources/">shop.familylife.com</a>.</li>
<li>Download <a href="https://www.familylife.com/app/">FamilyLife's app</a>!</li>
<li>Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/familylife-today/id212174303">Apple Podcast</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm?si=d6dfa8d2415f4750">Spotify</a>.</li>
<li>Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the <a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/">FamilyLife Podcast Network</a></li>
</ul>

FamilyLife Today® is a weekday podcast featuring fun, engaging conversations that help families grow together with Jesus while pursuing the relationships that matter most.

FamilyLife Today®

FamilyLife Today is an award-winning podcast featuring fun, engaging conversations that help families grow together with Jesus while pursuing the relationships that matter most. Hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, new episodes air every Tuesday and Thursday.

FamilyLife Today is an award-winning podcast featuring fun, engaging conversations that help families grow together with Jesus while pursuing the relationships that matter most. Hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, new episodes air every Tuesday and Thursday.

Co-parenting in blended families is messy. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace speak with Dave and Ann Wilson about beating guilt and protecting your marriage.