FamilyLife Blended® Minute

The Cold Shoulder

with Ron Deal | December 17, 2018
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Angela was kind to her stepchildren's mother. She sent occasional gifts and nice texts to let her know she respected her. But because she never got anything back, she wondered if she was harassing the mom. I suppose it's possible the mother felt that way, but my guess is she felt threatened by Angela's presence or was bitter toward the kid's father. So, until you know differently, I told Angela, keep doing what you're doing. It may take a while but kindness is still the best medicine.

  • Show Notes

  • About the Host

  • About the Guest

  • Angela was kind to her stepchildren's mother. She sent occasional gifts and nice texts to let her know she respected her. But because she never got anything back, she wondered if she was harassing the mom. I suppose it's possible the mother felt that way, but my guess is she felt threatened by Angela's presence or was bitter toward the kid's father. So, until you know differently, I told Angela, keep doing what you're doing. It may take a while but kindness is still the best medicine.

  • 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.

Everyone likes a warm smile. But what about a cold shoulder.