Improving Your Marriage as a Blended Family Couple

If you made a list of all the bad things that you never thought would happen, what would you write down?

For some, picking up the broken pieces of your life and starting over again with a blended family might be at the top of that list.

This new chapter may have come about through death or divorce or some other circumstance, but the challenge is the same: how to overcome the difficulties common to blended families and give this new part of your life its best chance to thrive.

Even if you’re not building a blended family, I hope you’ll still listen to our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Improving Your Marriage as a Blended Family Couple.” Much of the conversation you’ll hear will be helpful to every marriage.

Our guest is Ron Deal. He’s an expert in this area, having written numerous books about stepfamilies and stepparenting. Ron is the founder and president of Smart Stepfamilies, a ministry that he directs for FamilyLife Ministries.

Ron conducted a massive study with 50,000 couples. Based on that research, we’re sharing a wealth of practical insights to help you get your blended family off to a great start or to help you take your blended family to the next level if you’ve been at it for a while.

According to Ron’s research, almost 90 percent of soon-to-be-married couples who are entering a blended family situation anticipate facing challenges, yet 75 percent never discuss their parenting or marriage expectations. They assume their new marriage and new family will work out simply because they love each other. That’s not exactly a recipe for success.

For a better understanding of the dynamics that impact blended families like yours, join us for “Improving Your Marriage as a Blended Family Couple.” Listen to our full conversation on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

Ron Deal and co-author David Olson’s bookThe Smart Stepfamily Marriage: Keys to Success in the Blended Family is available for a gift of any amount. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459). If you can’t afford it, we’ll find a way to get it to you.