amy@daretoparent.com

I have an unusual question for you. Have you ever heard of the Japanese art of kintsugi ? Kintsugi is the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold or platinum. Instead of hiding cracks, the repair highlights them—honoring what has been broken while creating something entirely new. I first learned about it while watching a show, and it stayed with me. Not long after, a client said something that brought it back to mind: “As a stepfamily, we kind of keep it quiet that we’

There’s a moment many blended family couples reach — sometimes quietly, sometimes in the middle of a heated argument — when one thought rises to the surface: This isn’t what I thought it would be. It can feel unsettling to admit that. After all, this was a hopeful decision. You didn’t walk into blending your family expecting disappointment. And yet, disappointment is often part of the process. Last week, I shared the idea of giving yourself permission to grieve what you thoug

Blended family life often brings unexpected challenges. This post supports stepfamily couples navigating early blending by normalizing feelings of uncertainty and frustration. Discover how outside support, effective communication, and a strong parenting partnership can help couples move forward with clarity and confidence.

Blending families often brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Couples are hopeful about what they’re building together, while also quietly wondering how to navigate the many decisions ahead. I recently spoke with a couple who were preparing to blend their families, and as they shared their thoughts, two words kept coming up: could  and should . They were imagining what their family could  become, while also naming the shoulds —the values and expectations that mattered m

Hi, In case we've never met, I’m Amy, a Blended Family Parenting Coach . I help couples in the beginning-to-blend stage prepare for and...

Blended family life can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when it comes to discipline. One parent may want to address a behavior...

Do you find yourself struggling to understand your stepchild's behavior? This one concept could be a game changer!

I recently participated in a conversation about dads and blended families. One member of the group said something that really stopped me...

Struggling with discipline in your blended family? One of the biggest challenges stepcouples face is getting on the same page with rules and

Becoming a stepparent isn't easy. You feel vulnerable asking for help because you feel you should just know how to do this stepparent role.