<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Amy Ambrozich, Parent  and Stepfamily Coach]]></title><description><![CDATA[Parenting and stepfamily strategies to help you strengthen your parenting partnership and build a discipline plan.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/blog-1</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 19:01:09 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.daretoparent.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Marriage, Parenting, and Stepfamily Stress: How to Recover After Conflict]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every blended family couple experiences disagreements. Taking this one step after a conflict can make a huge difference. ]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/marriage-parenting-and-stepfamily-stress-how-to-recover-after-conflict</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ed170ab502c05c43b7639f</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:03:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_431144f4ddc44bdf916ff1a63ff7b9dc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Red Flags: What to Notice Before Creating a Blended Family]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blending families isn’t just about love—it’s about preparation. In this reflective story, discover the subtle red flags couples often overlook before moving in together, and why slowing down can make all the difference. If you’re dating or preparing to blend, this perspective may help you notice what really matters before taking the next step.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/red-flags-what-to-notice-before-creating-a-blended-family</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c8238f5ed83abd8bc1d3bc</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 19:15:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_9eeeb186aea14a34899b5e411de75f21~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["Partners in Parenting" - Lessons for Blended Parenting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today would have been my parents’ 74th wedding anniversary, and it’s one of those days that pulls at my heart.  My mom and dad were married for 65 years—a lifetime that, if you asked them, seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Life was busy, with five kids, work, and the usual chaos of family life, yet they somehow stayed deeply connected. The phrase I use all the time—partners in parenting—comes directly from the example they set for our family. Our household wasn't perfect, but my parents...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/partners-in-parenting-lessons-for-blended-parenting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b5ca3d4898c9cce5a27175</guid><pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:59:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_40e649ecbd73483a8da53cfbac2428b8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 3 Fundamentals of Successful Stepfamily Parenting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blended family marriage can feel exhausting when stepfamily parenting conflicts keep resurfacing. If you feel like you’re constantly trying to fix discipline, communication, or tension in your home, you’re not alone. Many blended families struggle not because they’re failing — but because key fundamentals are missing. Strengthening your parenting partnership and understanding stepfamily dynamics can change everything.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/the-3-fundamentals-of-successful-stepfamily-parenting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a46cc764e15d88f36599dc</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Discipline]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:04:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_b7527179679040039af0cc6d33793209~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Two Voices, One Message: The Foundation of Effective Parenting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Effective parenting doesn’t require total agreement—it requires alignment. Learn how two parents can share one message, create consistency for kids, and strengthen their parenting partnership, especially in blended families.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/two-voices-one-message-the-foundation-of-effective-parenting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698b4bbce2bc92e835dd633a</guid><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:54:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_1518e3dcd08e4b439b3e6429ea119f19~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Love isn't Enough for Blended Family Success]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many couples enter the blending journey deeply in love and full of hope. 

They assume that because the relationship feels strong, 







everything else will fall into place with time. After all, love brought them together—shouldn’t it be enough to hold them together?



But blending a family introduces dynamics that love alone doesn’t automatically solve.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/why-love-isnt-enough-for-blended-family-success</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698256f1e90da4b7522ef5e4</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:56:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_13c475a6358349d0977b0e3f33381a05~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Does Your Blended Family Feel Broken? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[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’re blended. It...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/does-your-blended-family-feel-broken</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6972761cab08e1a85c33e031</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:32:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_f50f48b039ae424fbf6763df6b54a025~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_896,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blended Family Expectations vs. Reality: Why Couples Feel Stuck]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 thought stepfamily...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/blended-family-expectations-vs-reality-why-couples-feel-stuck</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696bcd2b3e23fce29376acc8</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:08:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_f4a4d9aa9340488cbaea766a268c2bad~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Blending Families Feels Harder Than Expected...This May Help]]></title><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/when-blending-families-feels-harder-than-expected-this-may-help</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69600fd4957e8f6c8aa39a95</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Blended Family]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:51:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_74c3b2ce1a764b79b25ce9a395d977e0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where to Start When Blending Your Family Feels Overwhelming]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 most to them....]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/when-blending-your-family-feels-overwhelming</link><guid isPermaLink="false">694992643167c574f9b7898f</guid><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 03 Jan 2026 19:21:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_74c3b2ce1a764b79b25ce9a395d977e0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blended Families: Why Love Is the Starting Point, Not the Strategy]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/blended-families-why-love-is-the-starting-point-not-the-strategy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68dacfc2d3b5c27c5202cefb</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:09:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_0f7c8e16ea7345c7989b68f76eb2678c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stepfamily Struggles: Caught Between Your Spouse and Your Kids]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blended family life can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when it comes to discipline.  One parent may want to address a behavior...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/stepfamily-struggles-caught-between-your-spouse-and-your-kids</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68322383905d5dd1ac0f5b6f</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Discipline]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Stepparenting]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:26:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_7323f48df37249b38f29894ae24057fb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is REALLY Behind Your Stepchild's Behavior?  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Do you find yourself struggling to understand your stepchild's behavior? This one concept could be a game changer! ]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/what-is-really-behind-your-stepchild-s-behavior</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6831de1edb3f638edd7a7c03</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Discipline]]></category><category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 15:24:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_3aaafaccac22432a9dbffa9020bb3c9e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Canvas, Brushes, and Paint: Tools for a Strong Blended Family]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever read a quote and thought, “This is SO spot on”? That happened to me last week, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/canvas-brushes-and-paint-tools-for-a-strong-blended-family</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67f6e9870dcb644c5a219b4d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:05:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_6766621f13544013a604bc812bd8a290~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Stepfamily Tug-of-War: Finding Balance Between Your Spouse and Your Kids]]></title><description><![CDATA[Feeling stuck between your spouse and your kids?   You're not alone. Many birth parents in blended families struggle with the push-pull...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/the-stepfamily-tug-of-war-finding-balance-between-your-spouse-and-your-kids</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67cb4c79d823096a2bd026d3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 22:00:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_7a5afff3556d4fb6b8c85c5221a5d44c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Stepparents Love Differently - And Why That's Okay]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the most common concerns I hear from birth parents in blended families is: “My partner doesn’t love my kids like I do.” I hear the...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/why-stepparents-love-differently-and-why-that-s-okay</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67cb17cfb1797c58cda90421</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_1740cb9add9143c49aad94a25518514d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stepparenting: The Job No One Trains You For]]></title><description><![CDATA[I recently participated in a conversation about dads and blended families. One member of the group said something that really stopped me...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/stepparenting-the-job-no-one-trains-you-for</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c872c36a91ab920d71fe75</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co-Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:39:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_b965ba898bb2407abfb1f3af4d04f486~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 3 R’s of Stepparent Resilience: Reflect, Reframe, Redefine]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever felt like being a stepparent requires a thick skin?  ﻿﻿Like no matter what you do, you’re stuck being the "bad guy" in your...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/feeling-stuck-as-a-stepparent-try-these-3-simple-mindset-shifts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67afa28b63ab0c735830a4d5</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Feb 2025 20:21:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_b9adf557451b459abfcf110a84a26766~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Discipline in Blended Families: The 2-Part process you need to know! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Struggling with discipline in your blended family? One of the biggest challenges stepcouples face is getting on the same page with rules and]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/discipline-in-blended-families-the-2-part-process-you-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679bcd8ece1735275805a80c</guid><category><![CDATA[Stepfamily]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category><category><![CDATA[Discipline]]></category><category><![CDATA[Parenting Partnership]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:32:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1e8a09_4fd7d28804e94e57944bad0ebd2ce26d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stepfamily Holiday Harmony]]></title><description><![CDATA[It's mid-November and the stores are filled with Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations! The holidays are just around the corner and...]]></description><link>https://www.daretoparent.com/post/stepfamily-holiday-harmony</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673e3d7287b2d322ede3708d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:50:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5bdce34b1784618b020928370e1b0de.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Amy Ambrozich</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>