The Blending Place

5. Sharing Your Child // Toni Allman - Part 2

Have you ever wondered what it is like for the biological mom to have to share her child(ren) with you? In Part 2 of my interview with Toni Allman, we dive into this. It's a different perspective that we stepmoms need. It is a sensitive and tender topic and I am so grateful for Toni's honesty and insightfulness. 2:05 Acts of Kindness 4:28 Acts of Anger 8:44 Transition Day Difficulties 12:13 Pain We Inflict 15:21 Working Together 19:48 A Christlike Example 21:41 Empathy 23:30 To My Children 26:03 To The Stepmom

4. Navigating Divorce // Toni Allman - Part 1

Toni Allman had one son with her first husband before they divorced. Later, she remarried and has since had three more children with her current spouse. In Part 1 of our interview Toni shares her experience of navigating divorce within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join us for Part 2 as we talk about what it feels like to be the biological mom that has to share her child with a stepmom. :51 Loss of control 3:08 Anger 3:54 Counseling & Returning to School 7:19 Feeling Embarrassed & Playing the Victim 8:54 Accepting Help 10:43 Dating Again 13:02 Facing Bitterness

3. Telling Our Story // Dr. Kasia Flanagan

Dr. Kasia Flanagan is the owner of the company Everyday Legacies - an organization created from her passion for capturing and preserving life stories. It can be complicated weaving in new stories with old ones. She shares her experience of doing just that as a stepmom of two girls. 1:14 Dating During COVID 3:04 A New Stepmom 5:08 Different Rules at Different Homes 8:15 Disciplining  10:04 Communication With Spouse 15:13 Transition Days 21:03 The Power of Stories 29:21 Healing Through Jesus 32:03 To My Stepdaughters Links Kasia's Company: Everyday Legacies [https://everydaylegacies.com/] @everydaylegacies [https://www.instagram.com/everydaylegacies/] "Jet Lag Day" Reel by Kristina Kuzmic [https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeeoTf_sVra/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link]

2. Hearing Him // Ronda

Ronda's first husband passed away after having six children together. When she remarried, she became a stepmom to seven more. In this episode we talk about what life was like blending a family with 13 kids. She shares how prayer, hearing His voice and acting on those promptings changed everything for them. Show Notes 4:18 Different Love 6:07 Keeping the Door Open 8:44 A Desperate Prayer & Unwanted Answers 15:38 He Really Means It 16:31 Dealing With a Difficult Biological Mom 20:31 The Family Counsel 22:41 To the Children

1. Praying for the Biological Mother // Jo Anne & Wayne Kalama

Jo Anne and Wayne Kalama have been blending their family for 28 years. Jo Anne didn't ever have any biological children of her own though she had always dreamed of having 12 kids. She was an estate lawyer and Wayne worked for Disney. Now as empty nesters, they share about the impact that praying for Wayne's former spouse had on their marriage and family. Show Notes 3:41 - Afraid of Failing Again 6:39, 21:11 - Praying for the Previous Spouse 10:07 - Mothering, Smothering & Choosing Your Battles 12:35 - Gifts & Talents 15:04 - Extended Family Support 18:55 - One Definition of a Blended Family 23:56 - Look Ahead & Trusting 25:28 - About Temple Sealings 27:28 - Don't Demand Love 28:02 - To the Children & Grandchildren 29:22 - Better With Current Spouse