• There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
Filters
Guest Blogger: Christina Maxwell

Guest Blogger: Christina Maxwell

Christina is fairly new to stepparenting and has experienced her share of blended family challenges. She seeks to provide a supportive home for her two stepdaughters and to be the best stepmom she can be. Christina has a unique perspective, loves to have a plan, and share her life experiences and insights.

Recent Posts:

The Best Way to Prepare for Marriage Is to Savor Your Engagement

Each year around the holiday season, social media posts are filled with pictures of rings, proposal videos, and changed relationship status. We are presently in the middle of the most popular proposal time of year with nearly forty percent of all engagements occurring occurring between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. This time period is often called the proposal season. As the time frame coincides with traditional holidays that are family gatherings, it seems a natural time for couples' proposals because they want to share their love commitment with those they love.

Posted in Love, Marriage, and Relationships, Intentional Weddings & Wedding Planning

Boundaries Protect and Support Your Blended Family

When my husband and I got together, children were brought into my life for the first time. Once married, the adjustment to living and interacting with two children was a steep learning curve for me. Navigating daily life together, communicating between households, and adapting to different routines all required constant adjustment, and still does nearly four years later. 

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Posted in Perfectly Imperfect Parenting, Emotional Intelligence & Fitness

Eloping: Not the Escape Weddings of the Past

Recently, I ran into my dear friend, Merissa. She is alocal photographer in Bozeman, Montana, who photographed some family photos for my family, and my husband and I’s wedding. As we caught up on how our lives were going, Merissa shared some shifts in the wedding industry and how her business changed with this year's trends. An increasing trend she is seeing is twofold: 1) a new way to define elopements and 2) increased popularity of elopements.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Posted in Love, Marriage, and Relationships, Intentional Weddings & Wedding Planning

How Wedding Anniversary Symbols Support and Strengthen a Marriage

Anniversaries are opportunities to reflect on where you have come from, understand where you are, and get clear on where you are going as a couple. And love and marriage deserve a special celebration! While wedding anniversaries are certainly noteworthy for celebrating, they are also a wonderful time to adjust the compass and chart a new course together or just revel in your journey so far.

Estimated reading time: 4.5 minutes

Posted in Love, Marriage, and Relationships

Tips to Help You Survive—and Thrive—as a Blended Family

What is a blended family? A blended family is defined as a family composed of a couple and their children from previous marriages. Yet, each blended family is unique and comes with its own dynamic challenges. With divorces and re-marriages involving children, blended families vs. traditional or nuclear family structures are becoming the rule rather than the exception. Adults and children alike are facing major changes that come with adjusting to a new way of life.

Related reading time: 5 minutes

Posted in Perfectly Imperfect Parenting

Free Newsletter!

Featured Online Courses

Online Course - Emotional Fitness for the 21st Century 4 Keys to Unlocking the Power of Empathy