It can be hard to navigate how to raise your children with your spouse, but when
you mix in the mine, yours and ours kids, it cant feel like you're juggling too
many things at once. Dana discusses her tips on raising them differently and
trying to meet your bonus children half way. 
PSA: this will take an open minded and patient person to attempt.

Enjoy!

Episode 30: Raising the Children Differently

Back in the saddle again!! It's been a few months since I recorded anything.
Life has been an absolute gong show and I can't believe how good it feels to sit
down and talk it out.
Just a little update on what's been going on in my house with my family and why
I felt the need to take a break and focus on ALL. OF. IT.
In this episode I'll fill you in on an update with my dad's health, and what
that relationship with him is like. An update on what it's like raising a
teenager who is having a rough time with peers at school and how all of the
co-parents are dealing with that together- and what it's like now that my
husband is working away.

Thanks for tuning in and being so patient, much love to you all!

Episode 29: Back at it again!

A letter to my bonus daughter. These are all things that I have reminded her
throughout the entire time we've been a blended family- but I felt the need to
get those feelings out to inspire others. We have had so many ups and downs that
I think it's so important to remember the times when we were getting to know
each other and the relationships were being built. I know how many cons there
can be when comparing a blended family to a nuclear family, but how many people
not only get to fall in love with their spouse but their children as well! It's
a feeling like no other and I am so grateful for what I have. 
"Tomorrow is never promised, so love and appreciate the people who are in your
life"- Unknown

A letter to my Bonus Daughter

Discussing such a controversial topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on
(of course everyone is entitled to have one). At what age is best to give your
child a cell phone? What about social media? And is it something we should be
discussing with our co parents before deciding to purchase one for our kids?
Dana talks about her experience with her bonus child's social media and how it
has affected her blended family. 

Episode 28: Cellphones & Social Media

An update on my bonus daughter's upcoming birthday, and walking through all of
the insecurities that we as Stepmom's have rolling through our brains on a daily
basis. Let's start rewiring our brains to thinking differently about what we are
actually worried about and just cut ourselves some slack! 

Episode 27: Stepmom Insecurities

Have you ever felt the whole room shift when you and your spouse exist in the
same room with other people? Or maybe you have some mutual friends that have
heard both sides of the drama? This episode is for you. Let's set some
boundaries together and learn to control what we let affect us. If this type of
drama is affecting people outside of the home, can you imagine how our children
feel....It's time to do better, together!


Episode 26: How your high conflict co-parenting situation is affecting others and how you can fix it

Merry Christmas!! Dana updates you on how Christmas went with her blended family
and the special moments that were captured along the way. It's not everyday we
have MULTIPLE positives but this holiday season was very special! 
Dana discusses the 6 things that she does between Christmas and New Years to
keep her family on the right track and get things back to normalcy to be the
most productive she can be.


Episode 25: Christmas Update/Stepmom Hacks to keep you on track to the New Year

Amanda & Dana welcome Megan from Instagram (@be.arrows4homeschool) onto the
show, where she chats with us about homeschool and how that works for her
blended family. We talk about how in the world she was able to get all of the
parents on the same page, homeschool curriculums, a day in the life of a
homeschool and other wonderful resources she has to inform us with when looking
into homeschooling your kids. We hope you enjoy!

Episode 24: Homeschooling in a Blended Family with Special Guest Megan!

Dana gives an update on what's going on with the podcast right now, updates
listeners on a small win involving a hair appt with her bonus daughter and
shares all of her trials and tribulations regarding how different the two
households are and how it is affecting her bonus daughter.



Episode 23: Differences in Family Values

Dana tells a few naughty Christmas jokes (sorry, not sorry) and gives some
advice on preparing for the holidays before shit hits the fan! Don't be afraid
to reach out to us if you had something else to add.
Please remember that we are not experts and thought not all of this may be
applicable to you and your family.
Enjoy!

Episode 22: Preparing for the Holidays in a Blended Family

Nother Mother is a podcast created for Blended Families to talk, learn and laugh
through this unpredictable life we’re living together. Your host, Dana Benwell,
is a Bonus Mom to an 11 year old girl and Bio Mom to a 7 year old boy and has
oftentimes felt very misunderstood in regards to living the step parent life.
Dana is a Mom who puts her heart and soul into parenting both children equally.
Sometimes it seems as though she’s got it all figured out, and other times she
feels like a big fat failure. It’s time to bring to light the real talk
surrounding the “Blended” subject in hopes that we can help each other, or at
the very least, feel like you’re not alone.

Nother Mother Podcast