Navigating back-to-school season in a blended family? 🎒 In this Nacho Kids podcast episode, hosts Lori and David dive deep into the real-life challenges and lessons learned when sharing school supply costs, managing homework stress, and setting healthy boundaries between bio and step-parents. They share why splitting school expenses can be tricky, discuss the importance of clear agreements, and offer practical tips on handling school-related responsibilities without unnecessary conflict. Whether you're a bio parent, step-parent, or co-parent, this insightful conversation is packed with relatable experiences and advice to help you start the school year peacefully and set your family up for success.

#BlendedFamily #BackToSchool #ParentingTips #NachoKidsPodcast #CoParenting

Listen in to transform your school year stress into teamwork and understanding!

In this must-listen episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David Sims chat with guest Billie Tarascio, a family law attorney and now full-time stepmom. Billie gets real about the challenges and surprises that come with blending families, such as unexpectedly gaining full-time stepkids and managing life with seven kids in the house. Listeners will gain practical step-parenting tips on setting boundaries, embracing different parenting styles, coping with custody uncertainties, and using the Nacho Kids method. They also discuss stepmom roles, loyalty binds, handling exes, and the importance of self-care in blended families. Great for anyone navigating the complexities of stepfamily life!

Connect: nachokids.com | ModernLaw.com
#BlendedFamily #StepParenting #NachoKids

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David dive into the topic of therapists and their understanding of/lack of understanding of Nacho Parenting. After a member of their Facebook group shares a story about being "fired" by a therapist for following the Nacho Kids method, Lori and David break down the misconceptions therapists may have about stepfamilies and the Nacho approach. They share real-life comments, discuss the importance of finding a therapist who truly understands blended family dynamics, and clarify that nachoing isn’t just about disengagement or ignoring issues—it’s about mental health, self-care, and improving relationships for everyone in the family. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood by a professional or want to know how to vet the right support for your stepfamily, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Misunderstandings of Nacho Parenting
• Nacho Parenting and Mental Health
• Triggers, Emotions, and Family Dynamics
• The Role of Therapists and Vetting Therapists
• When Therapists Get It Wrong

Nacho Kids Success Story:

"I thought Nachoing meant not caring. Now I see it’s the most loving thing I could’ve done—for all of us." - T.R. Alberta, Canada

Timestamps

00:00 Therapists: Strengths, Weaknesses, Experience

04:01 Therapists' Dilemma with "Nacho" Method

06:31 "Misguided Research Practices"

11:48 Negative Self-Talk Unhealthy Comparison

15:24 Understanding Effective Family Roles

17:22 "Realizing My Impact on Others"

22:07 Vetting Your Therapist

23:47 Therapist Dispute Over Parenting Concerns

26:35 "Find Your Family Support Method"

Resources

• Join Nacho Kids Academy

• Coaching info

• Nachokids.com

• YouTube Channel

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori is joined by the renowned “Smart Stepmom,” Laura Petherbridge, to discuss her latest book, Step Families of the Bible. Laura shares powerful insights into how stepfamilies of the Bible mirror the struggles of today’s stepfamilies. Drawing on biblical stories, she reveals how universal emotions like jealousy, loyalty, and anger shaped stepfamily dynamics both then and now.

Listeners will gain invaluable wisdom on handling stepmom challenges, parent/child bonds, step-sibling rivalries, and the importance of empathy, grace, and boundaries in blended families. If you’re looking for real talk, practical advice, and spiritual encouragement in your blended family journey, this episode is a must-listen!

#NachoKids #BlendedFamilies #StepFamilyWisdom

Resources Mentioned

• NachoKids.com

• NachoKidsAcademy.com

Nacho Parenting Testimonial:

"Joining Nacho Kids Academy saved my sanity. I finally understand my role and don’t feel guilty stepping back." K.M., Ohio

Are you struggling with codependent behaviors between your partner and their ex, especially when it affects your blended family? In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David tackle a listener’s question about how to handle situations where her partner's ex relies on him for trivial tasks related to the kids. Discover practical tips on communicating concerns with your partner using the proven “FBI statement” method, which focuses on sharing feelings, naming behaviors, and clarifying the impact on your relationship. Lori and David also explore the difference between insecurity and legitimate boundaries, offering actionable solutions for common co-parenting frustrations. Don’t miss their insights on navigating jealousy, setting healthy boundaries, and how resources like the Nacho Kids Academy and one-on-one coaching can transform your blended family experience.

#BlendedFamily #CoParenting #NachoKids

Welcome to another episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast! Today, Lori and David are joined by returning guests Crystal and Mike, who open up about blending their family over the past nine years. With two teens of totally opposite temperaments, Crystal and Mike share their experiences juggling an ambitious daughter and an unmotivated son, while trying to balance structure, independence, and support.

They discuss the evolution of “nachoing” as stepparents, how they manage the messier parts of teenage life, and the ongoing challenges of co-parenting across two very different households. Crystal and Mike’s story is funny, real, and packed with lessons for any blended family.

If you’re navigating the ups and downs of raising stepkids, especially during the teen years, this episode delivers wisdom, laughs, and reassurance that you’re not alone. Let’s jump in!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Parenting Challenges with Teenagers

• Nacho Parenting Experience

• Household Rules and Responsibilities

• Step-Parent and Stepchild Relationships
  
  

Takeaway:
Blending a family isn’t a one-time challenge; it’s an ongoing journey that requires flexibility, patience, and a good sense of humor as kids grow and life changes.

Resources Mentioned:

• NachoKids.com

• NachoKidsAcademy.com
  
  

Nacho Parenting Testimonial:

“I used to walk on eggshells. Now I walk in peace. Thanks Nacho Kids!!” ~ A.N., Charlotte, NC, USA

Listen now and be reminded that life is good when you Nacho!

Explore the complexities of blending families, including navigating different parenting styles, sibling rivalry vs. bullying, and the challenge of being fair with both biological and stepchildren.

Lori & David share practical advice on empowering kids to handle conflicts, the realities of “fairness” in stepfamily life, and why adult behavior matters just as much as the kids’.

Tune in for relatable stories, honest reflections, and tools to help your own blend thrive!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Biases and Parental Perception
• "Tit for Tat" Dynamics and Parental Stalemates
• Exploring Resentment & Underlying Issues
• The Reality of Fairness in Blended Families

Takeaway:

Being 100% "fair" between biological and stepchildren is extremely difficult, if not impossible, given the natural biases and different relationships.

Resources Mentioned

• NachoKids.com
• NachoKidsAcademy.com

Nacho Parenting Testimonial:

“I now understand what Lori means when she says she Nachos Walmart! I’m Nachoing so much!! Life is Great!l.” ~ R.K., MI

On this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori welcomes Daryl Potter, a Canadian banker and published author, for a conversation that takes us far beyond the typical stepfamily story. Daryl isn’t a member of a blended family himself, but his experience raising a child with two extremely rare medical conditions has given him a unique perspective on navigating “irregular” family dynamics and finding beauty in unexpected places.

Daryl opens up about his 28-year marriage, the cultural mosaic of his household, and the challenges and profound blessings of caring for his daughter, who is the only person in the world with her combination of diagnoses. He shares how his family has had to rewrite the script on everything from holidays to family vacations, and how his son has learned life skills and empathy far beyond his years.

Throughout the episode, Daryl and Lori delve into themes of grief, acceptance, reframing success, and the importance of not comparing pain, reminding us that everyone’s journey holds its own weight, no matter how “broken” it may appear from the outside. Daryl’s story is a powerful reminder that, whether you’re in a stepfamily or not, every family must find its own version of normal and discover joy, purpose, and connection along the way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Coping with and Managing a Severely Disabled Child
• Grief and Adapting to a "broken" or Non-traditional Family
• Impact on Siblings: The "Leftover" Dynamic
• Finding Meaning and Perspective in Suffering and Difference
• Key Advice for Parents Facing Disability or Blended Family Challenges

Nacho Parenting Success Stories:

“The biggest surprise? The kids are actually happier now. I stepped back, let go of the pressure, and our entire home changed for the better.” ~ S.C., California, USA