Get ready for laughter, realness, and actionable advice as Lori and David tackle Valentine's Day expectations and the tricky emotions that come with stepfamily living.

In this episode, Lori and David dive into the emotional minefields of Valentine's Day, discussing honest communication between partners and the importance of managing expectations, especially in blended families. You'll hear their candid conversation about gift-giving ("Stop setting your partner up to fail!"), spontaneous acts of kindness, and why comparison can sabotage the holiday spirit.

Topics:

• The importance of clearly communicating expectations with your partner (don't set each other up to fail!)

• How perceptions and comparison impact kids, especially when one child gets a gift, and others don't

• Why spending $150 on roses may NOT be the best way to show love, for anyone in your family

• Practical, budget-friendly ideas for celebrating and keeping family harmony, like the famous coupon book or sharing ice cream instead of overpriced cards

• Insights about childhood emotions, feeling included, and handling those tricky stepfamily holiday moments

Relevant Links:

• Nacho Kids Podcast Website: https://nachokids.com/podcast/

Episode NKP349
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the Nacho Kids community for more support and insights on stepfamily life!

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.

• The Co-Parenting Secret: It's Not About You — Jon Bassford
• Website: jonbassford.com

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.

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When an adult stepchild moves back home, many stepparents quickly realize that blending does not end at age 18, it simply enters a new phase.

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David talk candidly about what happens when adult children return home, sometimes with partners and young children in tow. What begins as a temporary plan to save money or regroup can quickly bring up anxiety, boundaries, and old blended-family challenges you thought were behind you.

They discuss the emotional and logistical realities of shared households, including working from home with more people present, managing noise and schedules, and navigating the difference between biological-parent tolerance and stepparent tolerance.

This conversation covers:

• Adult stepkids moving back in
• Why this stage can feel harder than early blending
• Anxiety and resentment many stepmoms experience
• Setting household expectations without creating conflict
• Communicating boundaries without sounding controlling
• Helping adult children without hurting your marriage
• Why step-parenting does not end when kids become adults

Many blended families are surprised to learn that step-parenting continues well into adulthood, especially in today's economy, where housing costs and living expenses make independence more difficult for young adults.

If you are navigating an adult stepchild moving back home, struggling with boundaries, or feeling overwhelmed by the impact on your marriage or peace, this episode offers an honest perspective and practical reassurance.

Helping does not have to mean sacrificing yourself.

Because life is good when you Nacho.

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