Proper Terminology: When You’re a Friend
Have you ever gotten confused about which terms to use when referring to someone else’s family members?
Show Notes
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- Check out ourblended family resources.
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About the Host
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.
Episode Transcript
FamilyLife Blended® Radio Transcript
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Proper Terminology: When You’re a Friend
Air date: February 20, 2025
Ron: Have you ever gotten confused about which terms to use when referring to someone else’s family members?
Announcer: For FamilyLife Blended®, here’s Ron Deal.
Ron: Sharon called. She was really confused. “When I’m talking with my friend about her kids I want to call them her ‘children,’ but technically they are her stepchildren. And they call her ‘stepmom’ which makes me think they want to be called her ‘stepchildren.’ I’m just not sure what to say.”
You know, terms vary in stepfamilies, so, a good rule of thumb is to use the terms that you hear them using, but keep in mind the terms may vary. You can, also, just ask, “What do you want me to call your kids?” There’s really no offense in that. It shows that you want to support the family just as they are. And that, will be greatly appreciated. For FamilyLife Blended I’m Ron Deal.
Announcer: To find out more visit familylifeblended.com.
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