Gentle-Respectful Part 2
In blended families biological parents need to be Gentle-Respectful of the concerns of their spouse, the stepparent. Automatically shutting them down with, "No, my kids aren't disrespectful to you behind my back" isn't helpful. In fact, it's dangerous. Your spouse has a different perspective so listen, consider, empathize. Then figure out what to do. Also, be Gentle-Respectful toward the caregivers in your child's other home. Respect their time, their space, their authority, their relationships.
Show Notes
About the Host
About the Guest
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In blended families biological parents need to be Gentle-Respectful of the concerns of their spouse, the stepparent. Automatically shutting them down with, "No, my kids aren't disrespectful to you behind my back" isn't helpful. In fact, it's dangerous. Your spouse has a different perspective so listen, consider, empathize. Then figure out what to do. Also, be Gentle-Respectful toward the caregivers in your child's other home. Respect their time, their space, their authority, their relationships.
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Ron Deal
Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and Preparing to Blend. Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the FamilyLife Blended podcast. He and his wife, Nan, have three sons and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at FamilyLife.com/blended.
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In stepfamilies, be gentle and respectful.
