The Perspective of Growing Up in a Blended Family

Today’s episode is an interview with Melissa Valder, a woman who grew up in a blended family and is passionate about sharing her story and insights with families now going through the experience themselves. The blended family experience from the child’s point of view offers insight into how our children may process this journey later as adults.

As Melissa reflects on her parent’s divorce, remarriages, custody arrangement, and communication, she recognizes the things that impact her still today – both as challenges and strengths. Children learn through their parents and how they handle situations, and the children of blended families are no different.

Today, Melissa and I will talk about the challenges she faced growing up in a blended family and what she’d say to her parents of 20 years ago knowing what she knows now. She’ll also give some tips on how to better handle adult conversations, money management involving the kids, and communication with your co-parent – even if you don’t like them.  

00:45 – 05:00 - Introducing today’s topic: A child’s experience within a blended family

05:00 – 11:00 - Melissa’s relationship with the members of her blended family

11:00 – 16:00 - The beauty of a step-parent’s role and how your child might feel

16:00 – 21:30 - How Melissa processed the struggles she faced within a blended family

21:30 – 28:00 - The dynamic she witnessed between her parents and step parents

28:00 – 35:00 - Taking care of yourself and the good/bad of custody arrangements

35:00 – 41:30 - Choosing to learn from your experiences whether good or challenging