The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David broadcast live from the beach, sharing personal stories and hard-learned lessons about stepfamily vacations. They discuss the logistical and emotional challenges of blending five boys with different interests, from budgeting for group activities to navigating restaurant seating. The hosts reflect on the importance of flexibility, managing expectations, and keeping vacations short to minimize stress and conflict. A significant portion of the conversation covers the issue of summer childcare, especially when a stepparent works from home. Lori and David debate the fairness and practicality of expecting the stepparent to watch stepkids, emphasizing the need to establish clear boundaries and explore all childcare options before making decisions. They encourage open communication between partners to prevent resentment. Listeners are invited to share their own vacation strategies for stepfamilies. The episode closes with a recommendation: keep family trips shorter and save a few days for the couple to recover afterward! Topics Discussed Excitement about the Nacho Kids book release on Step Family Day (September 16) Reaching over 1 million podcast downloads Lessons learned about family vacations Keeping vacations short (3-4 days) reduces stress Letting each child choose one activity Not forcing everyone to participate in everything Importance of flexibility and not over-planning Making sure each child has earphones/devices for long travel Sometimes it's best not to give kids options The emotional cost and lack of "vacation" time for parents compared to kids Summer childcare issues for stepparents who work from home Working from home is still working and should not equate to being default childcare Setting boundaries and having open conversations about expectations Exploring all options: camps, daycare, grandparents, babysitters, the other bio parent Considering compromises, such as part-time childcare Risks of resentment and increasing stress when solutions aren't fair Saving vacation days for adult-only trips, if possible Listeners are invited to share their own vacation strategies for stepfamilies. The episode closes with a recommendation: keep family trips shorter and save a few days for the couple to recover afterward!

In this heartfelt episode, Lori talks with California Stepmom, who shares her decade-long journey as a stepmom in a blend with no biological or "ours" kids of her own, but with plenty of lessons learned and emotional ups and downs. California Stepmom discusses her initial excitement entering stepfamily life, the unexpected challenges she faced, particularly from toxic ex-spouse dynamics and loyalty binds, and the heartbreak of estrangement when her stepdaughter chose to leave their home at 17. She details the difficult court battles, emotional toll, and the invaluable role that the Nacho Kids Podcast, Academy, and one-on-one coaching with Lori played in helping her set boundaries, heal, and strengthen her marriage. The episode offers practical tools and hope for anyone navigating the complexities of stepfamily life, emphasizing the importance of self-care, patience, and the "long game" mindset. In this episode: Entering a blended family: initial hopes and realities of becoming a stepmom Navigating relationships with stepchildren and building trust The complexities of being a childless stepmom and feelings of being an outsider Managing the dynamic with the ex-wife, including toxic behaviors and parental alienation Loyalty binds and the influence of parents' actions on stepchildren Challenges of co-parenting, custody arrangements, and transition difficulties for kids Guilty parent syndrome and its impact on discipline and household dynamics Practical struggles: household boundaries, such as food and cleanliness issues Dealing with teen estrangement and the emotional aftermath The legal challenges of child support, child custody, and importance of court documentation Experiences with ineffective family therapy and the necessity of vetting professionals Emotional coping strategies: seeking community, therapy, and supportive resources Tools and language learned through the Nacho Kids Podcast and Academy Repairing and redefining the relationship with estranged stepchildren Ongoing growth, hope for the future, and building resilience as a stepfamily

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori talks with Katt Johnston, a mental health professional, educator, and content creator focused on family estrangement, emotional systems, and the impact of mental health culture on relationships. Kat shares her journey of becoming a leading voice in estrangement after a viral TikTok video, and dives deep into how therapy and societal trends can sometimes harm family relationships by over-validating discomfort rather than building resilience. Topics discussed: Nuances between genuine and manufactured discomfort leading to estrangement The devastating effects of parental alienation in stepfamilies The roles validation and social media play in conflict Advice for estranged parents and stepparents on how to cope, maintain boundaries, and support each other. The importance of pre-planning for blended family events Handling unequal treatment The need for better mental health ethics and court education on alienation. Listeners will gain insights on the importance of self-care for estranged parents, strategies to avoid further damage to family relationships, and how society and therapy culture may need to shift towards more balanced support and accountability. The episode concludes with information on Katt's coalition for ethical mental health standards and a reminder that stepfamily life, while challenging, can still be good when you nacho.

Comparisons are the Thief of Joy—But What About in Blended Families? In episode NKP362 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David dive deep into the pitfalls of comparison, especially when it comes to blended families, kids, and relationships. Listeners will hear personal stories from Lori about her son Jackson's academic achievements and the emotions that arise when comparing him to David's children. Together, Lori and David candidly discuss how easy it is to compare kids, relationships, and even possessions, leading to unnecessary feelings of inadequacy and frustration. They reveal their distinct perspectives on academic success, parenting expectations, and why it's crucial to focus on each person's unique strengths instead of measuring up to others. In this episode: Why comparison in blended families can be harmful How Lori and David navigate differences in their children's achievements The importance of recognizing individual strengths and backgrounds Why it's better to compare yourself only to the person you were yesterday If you'd like to be a guest on our podcast, email us at contactsus@nachokids.com. If you are struggling in your blend, or just want to better your blended relationships (including your relationship with your partner), join the Nacho Kids Academy at nachokidsacademy.com today! We offer one-on-one coaching and couples coaching. If you are interested, email us at contactus@nachokids.com to check our availability.

Blending families isn't for the faint of heart—and losing yourself in the process is all too common. Tune in as Lori and guest Jackie Faber get real about boundaries, guilt, and reclaiming your identity in stepfamily life. In this raw and relatable episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori welcomes former stepmom Jackie Faber to discuss what it's really like to blend families, navigate unfair expectations, and fight back against the emotional traps that so many stepfamilies fall into. Jackie shares her personal story of discovering Nacho Kids, recognizing patterns of self-abandonment, and ultimately choosing her own well-being over staying in an unhealthy relationship. Listeners will learn: How stepmoms and stepdads often lose themselves trying to "do it right" in a blended family. Why resentment and guilt are so common, and how to recognize who's really responsible for family problems. The difference between partner problems and parenting problems. The power of boundaries, self-care, and not letting others' expectations dictate your happiness. Strategies for managing "fairness," finances, and emotional labor in blended family life. How to communicate your needs (and why most of us were never taught how!). Eye-opening insights about stepfamily love, parental alienation, and not repeating unhealthy patterns from the past. Whether you're in the trenches of a stepfamily or still considering blending, this candid conversation will help you find your way back to yourself.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with Jon Bassford, author of The Co-Parenting Secret: It's Not About You, to talk about what healthy co-parenting really looks like, and why most families are unknowingly doing it wrong. Jon shares his personal journey as a child of divorce, a father navigating two households, and a co-parent who intentionally chose cooperation over conflict. Together, they explore the realities of dual parenting vs. true co-parenting, the emotional toll high-conflict dynamics place on children, and how ego, resentment, and unresolved hurt often derail what's best for kids. This conversation covers: • Why "co-parenting" often isn't co-parenting at all • The difference between parallel parenting and collaborative parenting • How childhood divorce experiences shape adult parenting decisions • Why keeping the focus on the child changes everything • The power of accountability instead of blame • How healthy communication models emotional intelligence for kids • Creating a functional "village" even after divorce • Why showing up matters more than perfection • How to reduce transitions, meltdowns, and emotional overload for children Jon also explains how he and his ex-wife rebuilt their post-divorce relationship with intentionality, including maintaining respectful communication, consistent parenting standards across households, and involving extended family as part of a unified support system. This episode is a must-listen for: ✔ Stepparents feeling overwhelmed or sidelined ✔ Divorced parents struggling with communication ✔ Parents navigating 50/50 custody schedules ✔ High-conflict co-parenting situations ✔ Anyone wanting to protect their child's emotional health If you've ever wondered whether peaceful co-parenting is truly possible, this episode proves that it is. Because when parenting becomes about the child instead of the adults… everything changes. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: • The Co-Parenting Secret: It's Not About You — Jon Bassford • Website: jonbassford.com 🎧 About the Nacho Kids Podcast The Nacho Kids Podcast is dedicated to supporting stepparents and blended families through real conversations, real stories, and real solutions — all grounded in the proven Nacho Kids Method. Life really is better… when you Nacho. stepfamily, stepparenting, blended family, co parenting, coparenting after divorce, parallel parenting, high conflict coparent, divorce parenting, shared custody, 50/50 custody, parenting after divorce, stepmom support, stepdad support, nacho kids, blended family podcast, co parenting communication, healthy coparenting, child centered parenting, divorced parents

When a stepchild hurts your partner, every instinct tells you to jump in and defend them, but that move often makes everything worse. In this episode of The Nacho Kids Podcast, we unpack what really happens when step-parents step in too fast, how quickly alliances flip, and why trying to "fix" the moment can turn you into the problem. We talk honestly about: Watching a stepchild disrespect or hurt your partner Why defending your partner can backfire How the target shifts from the behavior to you Why step-parents often feel more upset than the biological parent The danger of keeping score When stepping in can help and when stepping back is the healthiest move This conversation isn't about bad kids or bad intentions. It's about understanding blended family dynamics, emotional triggers, and how to protect your relationship without escalating conflict. Nacho isn't about disengaging emotionally. It's about disengaging from what was never yours to fix. If you're a step-parent trying to balance boundaries, connection, and peace, this episode will help you see the situation differently and respond with clarity instead of reaction. Keywords: step parenting, blended families, step parent boundaries, co-parenting conflict, high conflict families, step parent burnout, Nacho Kids, family dynamics, emotional safety, marriage in blended families

Kick off 2026 with laughter and real talk! In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David explore the powerful topic of expectations—why they trip us up, how to let go of what others "should" do, and how to build more peace and happiness in your blended family life. In this episode: Why expecting others to change (especially as a New Year's resolution!) sets you up for disappointment How your personal stories, judgments, and baggage shape what you expect from others—and how to rewrite those scripts Practical advice on shifting your mindset, spotting unrealistic expectations, and finding the positive even in tough times The importance of controlling your own reactions and embracing ownership of your actions and mistakes Why social media and Hallmark movies might be sabotaging your happiness Exciting news about donated Nacho Kids Academy scholarships, courtesy of the amazing Sylvia Krakauer Nacho Testimony: "If it wasn't for Nacho Parenting, I'd be divorced... again!" ~ L.W., Canton, OH, USA