When Your Parents Reject Your Stepkid: Should You Set Boundaries With Family?
This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Cilla and Nathalie to unpack a dilemma that’s left one stepmum torn between her child and her parents.She writes in devastated that since having a baby with her partner, her parents have changed, they only want to look after their biological grandchild and have completely pulled away from her stepson. Before the baby arrived, they treated him like their own. Now, she’s heartbroken and questioning whether she ever imagined having to set boundaries with her own family.Kate doesn't agree, saying that all children deserve to feel included and that if your family won’t treat them equally, it’s your job to protect the child. But Cilla challenges that view, arguing that while you may choose a blended family, others in your life aren’t always obliged to be on board even if it hurts.Together, they explore a painful but important question: where do you draw the line when it’s your own parents showing bias? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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41:36
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41:36
Rio Ferdinand Is Back! How Will His Older Kids Feel?
This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Nathalie and her husband Rio Ferdinand, as they tackle a dilemma that a stepmum writes in concerned that her partner is a loving, present father to their child but wasn’t like that with his older children. She worries about the difference in how he shows up, and how that might affect the kids.The group get real about what happens when parents evolve. Rio opens up about being in a different stage of life now more present and admits that in the past, he put family on the back burner while focused on his football career. It’s an honest reflection on how age, maturity, and life circumstances can shape how someone parents.They also revisit a dilemma from a previous episode that Rio joined for a few minutes to discuss but didn’t get to break it down, a dad who is taking in his biological daughter but allowing his stepdaughter to go into care. They discuss whether biology should ever be the dividing line, and what it really means to show up for a child. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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51:12
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51:12
When His Mum Still Sees the Ex: Is It Jealousy or Just Reality?
This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Nathalie and Cilla to unpack a dilemma that touches on family loyalty, jealousy, and boundaries.A stepmum writes in upset that her partner’s mum still has a close relationship with his ex. They spend time together, but she and her mother-in-law have no relationship at all. She admits it makes her feel jealous, insecure, and even a little pushed out of the family.Kate argues that this is a normal reaction most people would feel the same sting but stresses that it’s important to recognise the feeling without acting on it. Cilla takes a tougher stance, saying it’s none of the stepmum’s business as long as her partner’s mum has a good relationship with her son and grandchildren.The panel explores the wider questions: What happens when loyalties blur across old and new relationships? Is it natural to feel jealous, or does jealousy create bigger problems? And how do you navigate in-laws who still keep one foot in the past? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:21
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33:21
Rickie Haywood-Williams: How Do You Cope When You Don't Live With Your Child?
This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand and Nathalie are joined by special guest co-host, presenter and dad Rickie Haywood-Williams. Together, they tackle the dilemma of a mum whose biological son lives with his dad, while she lives with her partner, stepdaughter and their new baby. She admits she never thought she wouldn’t live with her biological child, and now she worries she can feel him pulling away as she builds a family under a different roof.For Rickie, this hits really close to home. His oldest daughter is from a previous relationship, and now he lives with his stepdaughter and young son. He talks honestly about how he navigated that shift with his daughter, stressing how important it is to keep expressing love, carving out time just for them, and staying consistent even when teenagers seem distant. Sometimes, he says, it’s just about sending that text or making that call even if it doesn’t get a reply.Kate reflects on her own household, where the little ones are desperate to see the older kids. Nathalie channels her inner Cilla and reminds everyone that different households can have different rules, and that’s okay what matters most is the connection and the love.The panel also debate the role of phones. Rickie shares that if he could go back, he’d have restricted phones for longer, because while they help kids stay in touch across households, they can also pull children into isolation and take away valuable family time. The group talk about guilt, balance, and how to make sure your children feel seen and loved no matter where they call home.Follow @blended on Instagram to share your story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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41:24
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41:24
When He Won’t Take In His Daughter’s Sister: Would You Let a Child Go Into Care?
This week on Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by co-hosts Nathalie and Cilla to unpack a heartbreaking dilemma.A mum writes in devastated after her partner refused to take in his daughter’s older sister meaning she may end up in care. She’s torn apart, not just for the child, but also because she fears what it says about her partner. If he can turn his back on his daughter’s sibling, could he one day do the same to her son?The ladies feel very strongly that siblings should not be split up and urge the mum to fight for the girl to live with them. Cilla and Nathalie share their anger at how a child could be left behind, while Kate calls Rio to join the show to get a male perspective. Rio insists he wouldn’t let a child go into care but he’s also brutally honest that a lot of men might, when faced with financial pressure or the question of biology.Together they explore whether “not my child” is ever a fair excuse, the painful reality of how easy some people can separate siblings, and what responsibility really looks like in blended families.Follow @blended on Instagram to share your story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted by Kate Ferdinand and co-host Priscilla Appeaning and Nathalie Homles - Lewis. 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, parenting, life after loss, step kids, co-parenting, fostering and (not-so-wicked!) stepmothers, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland