Helping Blended Families

05/18/2024

Are you seeing your partner through rose-colored glasses?

Every day, couples can focus on maintaining a positive outlook, which we refer to as Positive Sentiment Override (PSO) or the Positive Perspective. This mindset not only encourages more repair attempts during conflicts but also fosters a generally more positive perception of your partner.

On the flip side, Negative Sentiment Override (NSO) or the Negative Perspective distorts your view of your partner, leading you to perceive your relationship in a negative light. In this mindset, even positive experiences can appear negative.

To nurture positivity, it's essential to extend the benefit of the doubt to your partner, especially during challenging times. Open communication, cherishing moments of joy, and collaborating on problem-solving are key components for maintaining a healthy and happy relationship. Read more
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09/28/2021

Guiding children consists of being with them and guiding out when they’re lost in emotion which makes parenting so hard: handling our emotions, regular life stressors and their stress. Validation of emotion brings understanding to experience and leaves room problem solve at the end. What will you teach? Co-regulation or Co-dysregulation?

All children can behave in ways that are … not very adorable. Big behaviour can be exhausting and maddening for even the calmest of parents. There’s a good reason for this. Children create their distress in their important adults as a way to share the emotional load when that load gets too heavy...

06/11/2020

Great webinar!

Join nationally-recognized parenting coach Amy McCready to learn state-of-the-art, battle-tested parenting strategies to take back control of your parenting.

06/05/2020

Many children will be distressed and confused by the protests in he US. Conversations about racism and prejudice will help children understand what is happening, build their sense of safety, and nurutre them towards being adults the world is yearning for.

04/03/2020

Making new rituals in times of transition can help families cope. Here is a favorite website with some ideas.

Rituals allow families to slow down and connect, and they’re associated with all sorts of powerful benefits. You probably have several family rituals of your own, perhaps without even realizing it. But if you don’t have rituals yet, or if you’d like to create some new ones, read on for ideas a...

03/28/2020

If you're looking for an eggs-cellent blended family idea this weekend check out my new blog post!

March 28, 2020 by Julee Peterson Leave a Comment Blending Eggs-cellently Whether you’re stuck at home with a blended family or a first family – times like these can become trials of patience. Tempers can get short and attention can wan. For blended families finding ways to make home feel “norm...

03/26/2020

As the important adult their world, you have a profound capacity to help your child feel calm and to bring their world back to safe enough. Here's how.

03/25/2020

Transitions, changes and fear can all use a dose of humor. So, in these difficult times here are some ideas to ruin your relationship (if you're so inclined) or perhaps take these suggestions and self-reflect and see if you're damaging your relationship without realizing it.
1. Control - everything and everyone
2. Become surprisingly angry over little things, but when your partner is angry accuse him/her of being dramatic and hysterical.
3. When you have a problem with your partner (or with anyone or anything) mums the word, just add it to your list of resentments.
4. Find fault, especially when your partner is trying to please you.

Repair is the best medicine for relationships, along with acknowledgement and kindness.

03/19/2020

How can a stepmom (who doesn't have much power) convince her stepkids to practice social distancing in during the coronavirus crisis?

03/15/2020

Some good news among the bad from the book The Good News About Marriage by Shaunti Feldhan and Talli Whitehaed: A truth of marriage is that "Most of those [couples] who aren't happy will be if they stay committed for five years." (page 52).