If you’re navigating life in a stepfamily and finding the dynamics more complex than you expected, this episode offers practical guidance to help you build stronger, healthier relationships.
In this episode, Kate is joined by April Eldemire, a licensed marriage and family therapist and former stepmum, and Bec Jones, Head of Negotiation at amicable, to explore the realities of blended and stepfamily life. Together, they unpack some of the most common challenges blended families face and share thoughtful advice on how to create a more connected and supportive family environment.
We talk about:
- How the 'evil stepmother' stereotype still affects stepmums today
- Common challenges when creating blended families
- Setting boundaries and approaching discipline in stepfamilies
- How the couple’s relationship can shape stepfamily stability
- Building strong relationships with stepchildren over time
This episode is for parents and step-parents building blended families, who want to approach stepfamily life with more understanding, patience and confidence.
Meet April and Bec
April Eldemire is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, former stepmum, and the creator of The Blended Family Alignment Blueprint, a framework that helps couples end power struggles and parent as a united team. While April’s own blended family didn’t last, her journey fuels her passion for helping others avoid the same mistakes she made. With over 13 years of experience specialising in stepfamily dynamics, she’s on a mission to help families replace conflict with teamwork and build homes where love can finally lead. Having had over 10 years of experience as a divorce lawyer, Bec Jones leads amicable's Negotiation team. She played a vital role in developing the amicable process and is renowned for her empathetic approach. With expertise in child arrangements, blended families and complex finances, she is a fountain of knowledge.
More divorce resources
Feeling ready to take practical steps forward?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert for guidance on the legal, financial, emotional or co-parenting aspects of separation. Or explore our Separating with Children Service – a 90-minute joint session with a Co-parenting Specialist tailored to your family’s needs.
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Kate’s book amicable divorce includes dedicated chapters on co-parenting, with practical guidance on supporting your children's wellbeing, talking to them in age-appropriate ways and building a cooperative co-parenting relationship that reduces conflict. Find it on Amazon today.
Try the amicable co-parenting app free for 3 months to share calendars, track expenses and communicate clearly. Open this link on your phone, install the app, create your account, select 'I have a promo code', enter PODCAST and press ‘apply’.
Got a question for a future episode?
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