Stepmum Pressure: Parenting Without Biological Kids
Being a stepmum without your own children? People have opinions.Choosing not to have kids? Even more.And if you want to be a mum but life has other plans? That’s a whole different kind of heartbreak.In this episode of Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Priscilla Appeaning and Nathalie Holmes-Lewis for a powerful and honest conversation about the pressure on women to sacrifice their bodies and mental health for motherhood, what it means to step-parent without biological children of your own, and how motherhood expectations shape emotional identity in blended families.Cilla explains the difference between being childfree and childless. Kate reflects on her experience entering a blended family without children of her own and Nathalie opens up about her health journey and her decision around motherhood.They also explore how “ours babies” , a term used in the blended family space to describe a child shared by both partners, can impact identity, connection, and emotional roles for women who aren’t biological mums.Follow @blended on Instagram to share your story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:41
Photo Fallout: Did the Stepmum Go Too Far Or Was the Mother-in-Law Stirring The Pot?
Kate Ferdinand is joined by co-hosts Priscilla Appeaning and Nathalie Holmes-Lewis for another real, raw and relatable episode of Blended. This one’s all about family drama, blurred boundaries—and one photo that caused major tension.In this episode, they dive into a dilemma that had the group chat on fire: A mother-in-law gifts a photo of a child’s half-sibling... and the stepmum and partner throw it away. Was it about protecting the child—or shutting down the in-laws? Is the mother-in-law just trying to stay involved—or fully stirring the pot? They get into the messy middle of extended family politics, Christmas card awkwardness, and where photos live within the household.If you’ve ever dealt with overstepping in-laws, silent partners, or hard decisions to do with your stepchildren —this one’s for you.If you’ve got a dilemma of your own within a blended family, we’d love to hear from you.Send it to us via Instagram @blended. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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40:02
The Big Introduction: Should My Ex’s Opinion Affect My Timing?
Blended is back—but with a difference. Kate Ferdinand is joined by her brand new co-hosts Priscilla Appeaning, stepmum and blended life coach, and Nathalie Holmes-Lewis, step-mum and businesswoman. This season, they plan to have more honest and deeper conversations that help blended families feel supported and understood.Introducing a new partner to your children is a significant and sometimes stressful moment in blended families. Hear from Kate, Priscilla, and Nathalie as they chat about the timing and challenges of this introduction.They address common worries, including fear, resistance from children or the opinions of ex-partners, and whether delaying the introduction is beneficial. We learn about the importance of making sure the children feel part of the conversation and how building the introduction slowly can benefit everyone.We also hear from a listener with a dilemma:“I’ve been seeing someone great for four months and I’m feeling ready to meet the kids. They’re aged 7 and 11 but my ex says it’s too soon and that I’m not thinking about the kids’ feelings. Should my ex’s opinion affect my timing or is this decision mine alone?”This sparks conversations around how to navigate the role of the ex-partner and how to keep the communication amicable. If you've ever felt unsure about the big introduction, this episode reminds you that there's no right or wrong way—just what works for your unique family.To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:46
The Blended podcast is back!
We’re beyond excited to announce that the blended podcast is back! This season, Kate is joined by two incredible Step-mums, Cilla & Nathalie, each with their own unique family setup. We’re here to offer different perspectives on the step-parenting experience, and we hope you’ll feel seen and understood as we share our stories and answer your questions each week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A Look Into My World: Welcome Home, Baby Shae!
Hey Guys! Well, it's been quite a journey since the last time we chatted, and I've stepped out of my little bubble to share a special life update... Shae's here!In today's mini update, I'll take you on a journey through what it's been like getting to know my gorgeous little girl and adapting to life with not just a newborn, but a toddler and teenagers! You know, trying to find our new rhythm and establish a fresh routine. But let me tell you, it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows. Shae made quite the entrance into this world, being born with congenital pneumonia, and I'll be sharing that rollercoaster of an experience today.So, thank you for joining me on this incredible journey. Your support means the world to me.If you haven't already, become part of the Blended community by following and interacting with us @Blended on Instagram.Thanks for listening, and I can't wait to share more with you all! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted by Kate Ferdinand, this podcast is a celebration of blended families - exploring the stories of relationships bound by love, no matter what their circumstances are. Covering subjects such as second marriages, divorce, grief and life after loss, adoption, fostering and (not-so-wicked!) stepmothers, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.