When Blending Families Feels Harder Than Expected...This May Help

During a recent dinner conversation with my husband, I found myself sharing how much I love my co-working group.

What makes it special isn’t just productivity—it’s the people. All four of us are coaches, and at any given moment, one of us will admit something like:

• “I feel lost.”

• “I’m stuck and can’t figure out what to do next.”

• “I’m so frustrated. Nothing is going as planned.”

  
  

Unintentionally, the rest of us go into coach mode.

We listen. We ask thoughtful questions. We listen more.

We peel back the layers until we get to the real issue underneath the frustration.

And that’s exactly why this conversation stuck with me.

Because I hear these same words from my clients—especially those navigating blended family life:

• “I don’t know what my role is anymore.”

• “No matter what I try, we don’t feel like a family.”

• “This is not what I signed up for.”

  
  

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human.

Blended families come with complexity, emotional layers, and expectations that often go unspoken. When things don’t unfold the way you imagined, it’s easy to feel lost or frustrated.

That’s where support matters.

I’ve always worked with coaches of my own—not because I don’t know things, but because an outside perspective helps me see what I can’t see when I’m in the middle of it.

People sometimes ask, “But you’re a coach—can’t you just coach yourself?”

The truth is, emotions have a way of clouding clarity. Even with tools and experience, it’s hard to find your way forward when you’re stuck inside the problem.

A coach helps "unpeel the onion." They help name what’s really happening. They help illuminate the next step.

If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or discouraged in your blended family, know this: those feelings are common—and they’re not a sign you’re doing it wrong.

Here’s what is worth doing:

• Give yourself grace. You’re not meant to have all the answers.

• Allow space to grieve what you thought stepfamily life would be. (More on that soon.)

• Seek support that understands the nuance of blended family dynamics.

• 
  

Trying to duct-tape solutions together from random advice can be exhausting—and often misses what your unique family actually needs.

If coaching feels like too big of a step right now, my Starter Kit is designed to help you begin with clarity and intention—without pressure.

You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck.