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November 23, 2016
Title: Manage Holiday Stress
Topic: Stress Relief
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Follow-up to a prior interview with Ron Deal (October 20, 2016).
Too many children live with only one parent, or their parents are divorced and
remarried to someone else. In fact, this affects over half of the 60 million
children in the America.
Holidays can be extremely stressful, especially for blended families. Who goes
where for this holiday? Are they here or there? What are their traditions? Do we
“really” have to do it their way?
Ron Deal is the Founder of Successful Stepfamilies. He travels the country,
offering help and hope to blended families.
Questions/Issues Discussed:
How many children are affected by not only one, but two divorces?
Why is it important for divorced parents to get along all year long, not just
around the holidays?
With a blended family, it is vital to keep traditions going for both sides. How
is this achievable?
Listen in as Ron Deal stresses how imperative it is for ALL families to plan
ahead; don’t wait until the week of a holiday to make a game-plan of who is
hosting, what people are bringing, when you will meet, etc.
Whether you have been divorced or remarried for one year or twenty, remember to
relax and enjoy your family. It is a process; don’t worry and trust God.
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October 20, 2016
Title: Manage Holidays with Stepfamilies
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Part 1 of 2
If you think your life is hectic during the holidays, you should try coordinating schedules, dinner plans, and Christmas gifts with the parents of three households – most of whom don’t care for each other very much!
Ron Deal is a marriage and family author, conference speaker, and therapist. He is Founder and President of
Smart Stepfamilies™ and director of FamilyLife Blended™, the ministry initiative of
FamilyLife® to stepfamilies. Today, he will be offering guidelines blended families should follow to make holidays run more smoothly.
Questions/Issues Discussed:
Why is planning so important? Is it helpful to use a calendar?
Does it hurt to ask to alter the schedule from the “court orders”? Ron reminds us that each family situation is different and not all families get along very well, so make sure you use your best judgment concerning this suggestion. You don’t want to start a firestorm.
Is it imperative to keep traditions simple and ongoing?
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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Manage Holidays with Stepfamilies
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Questions/Issues Discussed:
Prayer and a good attitude are also vital to happy holidays – whether or not you have a blended family.
Why does this make a difference and what does he suggest families do to make the holidays more bearable?
Why should parents encourage their children to have fun during their time with the other parent?
Holidays are stressful for kids, too, and they often get moody not knowing how to react to certain situations. Why should parents be sensitive to these mood swings and not punish their kids for having “feelings”?
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May 8, 2015
Title: Stepparents Matter Too
Topic: Stepparents Matter Too
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Has your pastor ever
started his Mother’s Day remarks with this: “This morning is Mother’s Day,
a time to honor God’s gift we call ‘mom.’ If you are a mother, a stepmother, an
adoptive mother, or a foster mother, would you please stand so we can honor you
this morning?” Ron Deal is an expert on the issue of stepfamilies and
has written many books on the issue. Stepparents are often left out of these
holidays and it is hurtful. “Stepparents need to know that their church
acknowledges them and that they are safe and comfortable there,” Ron says.
Ron is here today to discuss why it is so important to acknowledge stepmothers
on Mother’s Day – and stepfathers on Father’ Day. He also reminds us that
children (young and old, alike) might be suffering, too. Even if a child has a
good relationship with their stepparent, they may be resentful on these special
holidays.
Ron Deal suggests families take advantage of Mother’s Day to remind their kids
that it is okay to be sad sometimes, but also encourage their kids to show love
to their stepmother. After all, they are a family. It may not be ideal, but
everyone matters in the family. He also encourage churches to be sensitive to
the fact that many children have a mother and a stepmother and to incorporate
both women into the holiday. He has some great stepfamily tools on their
website, which is linked below.
Ron Deal will be at the Blended Family Seminar at North Central Church
in Northwest Harris County on Saturday May 30, 2015. For all the details and
information about the seminar, click [here].
You can learn more about Successful Stepfamilies [here].
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March 10, 2015
Title: Balancing a Blended Family
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Perfecting the balance between
God, work, hobbies, kids, and spending time with your spouse is a never-ending
chore. But it is achievable! Ron Deal is an expert on helping families,
especially blended families, obtain a lasting balance in order to keep their
families intact.
He says, “The marriage has to come first. It is the leading relationship within
the home.” I think we all recognize this fact, but it is often hard to actually
do it. Ron explains how simply letting your spouse know they are the most
important living person in their life is key.
However, this gets a little complicated blended families. Ron explains how it is
easy to let the kids get in the way of the marriage relationship because they’ve
been the main focus in a single-parent household before the new mom/dad stepped
into the picture. But how do you keep the kids from feeling abandoned? “There is
a delicate balance that must be obtained,” Ron says. One suggestions Ron has for
couples is to find a mentor couple to help them on their journey.
Also, when you get your love relationship with God right, then all the other
“stuff” will just fall into place. We only have 24 hours in each day. Use them
wisely. You can make in difference in your family, but you must be willing to
try before you can be successful. Read Psalm 22 with your family tonight at the
dinner table. Then read Psalm 23. God is always with us; we have nothing to
fear.
You can find Ron Deal [here].
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November 25, 2014
Title: Blended Families and the Holidays
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Part 1 of 2
The holidays are supposed to be a time of rejoicing, with family gatherings,
food, and tradition. Many things can interfere with our happiness, however: the
recent death of a loved one or the loss of a job and financial stress. Or maybe
you fall into another category, one that includes nearly half of all American,
specifically children: The Blended Family.
NOTE: The details discussed in the two segments with Ron Deal apply to everyone,
whether you are a blended family or not. You may have adult children who are
married with their own children. They can’t always come to “your” house – they
have other priorities now! Some may live miles away now and can’t afford to come
home every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or maybe all the in-laws are coming to
your house this year! What now?
Ron Deal, with Smart Stepfamilies, says there are some guidelines that everyone,
especially blended families, should consider. First, he says planning is
essential. School programs, church programs (for both families), traveling,
parties, and even the traditional day set aside to decorate the tree can clash
and add so much unneeded stress if they aren’t planned ahead of time. Remember
to be kind to everyone involved or every year will be a battle.
Some other helpful tips for blended families:
If you send a text to your child every night when they are at their other
parent’s house continue to do so during the holidays. Step-parents need to
recognize that children are torn between being happy and sad at the holidays;
they need support and listening ears. This is a great way to bond with your
step-child and let them know you really do care. Parents – you need to be happy
for your children when they leave – even though you don’t want to be! Reassure
your child that it is ok for them to be happy!
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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Blended Families and the Holidays
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
When you first got married, did
you feel like an outsider? Your spouse’s family may have certain traditions
which seemed so strange to you! But traditions are very, very important,
especially during the holidays and even more so for children.
You, as the parent, may be stressed over the turkey and place settings and
getting the house cleaned. Your children are stressed, too, but for different
reasons. Your spouse comes first, but your children need extra-special attention
during this time. Stick with traditions, but also try to find a way to combine
your traditions into one. This will make it even more special!
Ron Deal has some great advice for church workers around the holidays. You may
notice your new neighbors have a few extra kids hanging around that you don’t
recognize. Invite them to church for your Christmas programs.
Also, try to be more flexible when there are extra kids in your class. Ron
reminds us to be sensitive to the fact that these children may not be able to
come more often than the two weeks at Christmastime. Make them welcome, but
don’t be too eager in your invitation for them to come back.
Ron says “Have an open heart…Commit it to God and roll with it.” More
information from Ron Deal on successful stepfamilies can be found at
www.SmartStepfamilies.com and
www.FamilyLife.com .
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September 12, 2011
Title: Is It Time for “MY” Mid-Life Crisis?
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
When we approach each day, do we filter all our activities through
the lens of eternity? What will really matter?
The faith of our children and grandchildren depends on their guide, and too
often their guide is their parent(s).
May we as parents and grandparents begin to ask ourselves:
1. What can I do with the rest of my life that is significant – of eternal
importance?
2. How do I live and love every day in light of eternity?
3. What can I do with my time that will glorify God the most?
The here and now is not all there is, but sometimes we live as if there is no
tomorrow and NO ETERNITY. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. You
can make a difference for all eternity. Live as if eternity matters!
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November 4, 2010
Title: Building Successful Stepfamilies
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Segment 1 of 3
Does America suffer from a cycle of generational divorce?
Can re-divorce be prevented?
Today, how do various members of a blended family cope with the added stress?
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: MIX HOLIDAYS AND BLENDED FAMILES TOGETHER AND THE OUTCOME CAN BECOME STRESS-VILLE!
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Segment 2 of 3
Do the complexities of the blended family add to the stresses of holiday times?
Successful Step Families (www.SuccessfulStepFamilies)
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Title: WHAT IS THE GLUE THAT HOLDS BLENDED FAMILIES TOGETHER?
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Segment 3 of 3
Over 2/3rds of second marriages end in divorce. Can blended marriages add some glue to their relationships to hold the ship together?
Successful Step Families (www.SuccessfulStepFamilies)
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May 12, 2009
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 3
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of “his” and “hers” and then add “theirs” to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
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Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 3
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Are you stressed out and longing for family harmony? Blended families struggle on a daily basis with many issues. If you are one of them, log on to www.successfulstepfamilies.com for information that could help your family.
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Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 3 of 3
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
More and more Americans are getting divorced and remarrying - most of the time with kids in the middle of it. If this describes your family, how are your children handling the situation? If you think they are fine, they probably aren’t. Family Life Minister Ron Deal has many great resources at www.successfulstepfamilies.com to help you and your children.
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May 11, 2009
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 3
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of “his” and “hers” and then add “theirs” to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com Tune in to The What's UP Radio Program tomorrow to hear more from Family Life Minister Ron Deal.
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December 31, 2008
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 3 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
September 23, 2008
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 3 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
May 29, 2008
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 3 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
May 28, 2008
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
May 27, 2008
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 3: A Best of Series
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
August 10, 2007
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
July 25, 2006
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
February 28, 2006
Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 1 of 2 from June 20, 2005
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
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Title: SURVIVING A BLENDED FAMILY Segment 2 of 2 from June 20, 2005
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization
June 20, 2005
Title: Surviving in a Blended Family Segment 1 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
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Title: Surviving in a Blended Family Segemtn 2 of 2
Topic: Blended Families
Discussed by Ron Deal
with Successful Stepfamilies (www.successfulstepfamilies.com)
Family Life Minister Ron Deal offers hope and guidance in understanding blended families. 30% of marriages today blend a combination of "his" and "hers" and then add "theirs" to the mix. Resources are available at www.successfulstepfamilies.com
More from this Guest More on this Topic More from this Organization