Ron Deal
Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and Preparing to Blend. Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the FamilyLife Blended podcast. He and his wife, Nan, have three sons and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at FamilyLife.com/blended.
Episodes appearing in
Now I know you've heard me say some crazy things but this one takes the cake. Learn to endure disharmony in your home. View Show Notes →
When you turn on a light, do you cover it up? No, you let it shine. View Show Notes →
Don’t judge people on their "before." Focus on their "after." View Show Notes →
Accommodating someone’s preferences out of love for the Lord is an act of faith. View Show Notes →
It's the most wonderful time of the year!" But if you're in a stepfamily, the holidays can get complicated pretty fast. Ron Deal offers some perspective, and gives counsel for how to navigate Christmas in a stepfamily. View Show Notes →
When it comes to insurance, which beneficiary do you want to beâ€"primary or secondary? View Show Notes →
Preparing for marriage to begin a blended family comes with unique dynamics. Ron Deal, Director of FamilyLife Blended, talks about addressing not just the joining of two hearts, but those of the whole family. View Show Notes →
Are you engaged or just beginning a blended family? Ron Deal, Director of FamilyLife Blended, discusses how couples can prepare their families to blend with intentionality and joy. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal, Director of FamilyLife Blended, explains the benefits of "cooking" your stepfamily with a crock pot and not a blender. He stresses the value of being patient as your blended family blends at its own pace. View Show Notes →
What is the difference between giving grace and giving in? Paul David Tripp, Tim Kimmel, Ron Deal, and Caleb Kaltenbach explain what grace is: in parenting, marriage, or relationships with a watching world. View Show Notes →
Facing the loss of a loved one can leave life feeling so empty and gray. Ron and Nan Deal, along with Brad and Jill Sullivan, give listeners the hope that the color WILL return! View Show Notes →
The loss of a child can leave many parents feeling there's nowhere to turn. Ron and Nan Deal, along with Brad and Jill Sullivan, share about the While We're Waiting retreats, which minister to parents right where they are on their grief journey. View Show Notes →
Hear the stories of two children, Hannah Sullivan and Connor Deal, who both lost their lives to illness. Their parents, Brad and Jill Sullivan and Ron and Nan Deal, share the stories of their precious children and the hope they have in the Lord of seeing them again. View Show Notes →
Would you like to make Father's Day a great day for your dad? Get along! View Show Notes →
When a parent dies who can best fill the gap for a child? View Show Notes →
When two people you love are in conflict-don't' get caught in the triangle. View Show Notes →
When you're parenting a grieving child, you have some special challenges to overcome. View Show Notes →
When you're parenting a grieving child, you have some special challenges to overcome. View Show Notes →
Have you ever noticed: we judge ourselves on our intentions; we judge others on their actions? View Show Notes →
Do you want to win at life? Surround yourself with wise people. View Show Notes →
As parents, our job is to make sure our children grow into responsible adults. Dru Joyce II and Ron Deal share different character traits to instill in your children and some helpful ways to teach them. View Show Notes →
Conversations about money and inheritances can be uncomfortable. But wouldn't it be better to talk about it with family members while you can? Ron Deal gives suggestions about how to make wise money decisions. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal says finances and personal values are especially complicated in blended families. He lists practical tools to help make asset management easier. View Show Notes →
When forgiveness is difficult to do...chop it up. View Show Notes →
Technology is great but it can keep our together families apart. View Show Notes →
Are you blindly repeating the patterns of the past? View Show Notes →
Are you blindly repeating the patterns of the past? View Show Notes →
Did we just make our kids part of a blended family? View Show Notes →
You know what? Well-intended bad advice...is still bad advice. View Show Notes →
Okay, it's a bit hypocritical, but here goes: Saying "stupid" to your kids is stupid. View Show Notes →
We just had to stay committed to getting through those early years. View Show Notes →
One of the ways pride affects your marriage-it blinds you to you. View Show Notes →
In seasons of change, parents need to help their kids process. Meg Robbins talks about walking with her kids through a major move. Sabrina McDonald tells how she coached her kids through becoming a blended family. View Show Notes →
Be careful. Don't turn a stepfamily problem into "Us vs. You." View Show Notes →
I got a question: How long did the father wait for the prodigal son to return? View Show Notes →
No, the bridge was always there. She just finally crossed it. View Show Notes →
Sometimes you have to step through the wilderness with trust and raw determination. View Show Notes →
Sometimes you have to step through the wilderness with trust and raw determination. View Show Notes →
You've heard me say it before, "As parents united you stand, but divided they fall." View Show Notes →
Sometimes in parenting, one parent is a lot more serious about godliness than the other. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal and Lore Ferguson Wilbert discuss the healing journey she's experienced as her husband's second wife. She suggests adopting a heart of compassion instead of competition. View Show Notes →
Do you know why kids have middle names? So, they'll know when to behave. View Show Notes →
Do you know why kids have middle names? So, they'll know when to behave. View Show Notes →
As a second wife or second husband, have you ever felt second best? Ron Deal talks with Lore Ferguson Wilbert about how to combat the insecurities that naturally arise in second marriages. View Show Notes →
When it comes to kids, who you respect is who they respect. View Show Notes →
Don't fracture a child's heart. Put it together and let love flow freely. View Show Notes →
Lying and hiding the truth just means you have to live in fear. View Show Notes →
Ok, stepfamilies. It's time to step down...your expectations, I mean. View Show Notes →
In some ways discipleship is simply taking off and putting on. View Show Notes →
No, we can't have you at our church because your background and past might infect everyone else. View Show Notes →
Stepfamily living...without God? Now that's a thorny path. View Show Notes →
Ron, our marriage is great. It would be wonderful if it was just the two of us but it's not. View Show Notes →
When it comes to parenting united you stand, but divided they fall. View Show Notes →
After 34 years David's parents got a divorce. And he began to question everything. View Show Notes →
After 34 years David's parents got a divorce. And he began to question everything. View Show Notes →
You've heard of the trickle-down effect, right? Well, parents have one, too. View Show Notes →
When one partner holds all the wild cards, the other partner just folds. View Show Notes →
When one partner holds all the wild cards, the other partner just folds. View Show Notes →
Here's a tale of two co-parents: the fool and the wise. View Show Notes →
I suggest you check your confirmation bias at the door. View Show Notes →
How do you celebrate marital oneness when your family isn't one? View Show Notes →
Out with the old and in with the new. But where do you start? View Show Notes →
When performing a parenting musical composition, it's important for parents to know their part. View Show Notes →
I know what your enemies say about you, but what does Scripture say about your worth? View Show Notes →
I know what your enemies say about you, but what does Scripture say about your worth? View Show Notes →
You know, we really shouldn't be surprised when our children misbehave. View Show Notes →
Here's a dilemma: How do you find permanence in a relationship without making a permanent commitment? View Show Notes →
Family meetings. It might be worth trying. View Show Notes →
Stepparents, don't just aim for love, earn their trust. View Show Notes →
What do you see, when you look at yourself, through heaven's eyes? View Show Notes →
What do we do when we find ourselves drifting apart in marriage? Dave and Ann Wilson talk with author and Director of FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal, about being intentional with our spouses. View Show Notes →
Wouldn't it be nice to have maintenance check-ups to make a marriage run more smoothly? Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Ron Deal about practical thoughts on creating marital sparks and keeping the fire alive. View Show Notes →
When helping a drowning person be careful not to get pulled under, too. View Show Notes →
How do you love someone different than you—I mean really different? View Show Notes →
Whether a nation or a family, one leader can make all the difference. View Show Notes →
Whether a nation or a family, one leader can make all the difference. View Show Notes →
I'm wondering, should you pray for God to change your spouse? View Show Notes →
Hey Ron, can stepparents discipline their stepchildren? View Show Notes →
Corporations have business meetings all the time. Shouldn't families do that? View Show Notes →
Corporations have business meetings all the time. Shouldn't families do that? View Show Notes →
She's showing her true colors, Ron, and they're not very pretty. View Show Notes →
Ron, I thought I was going crazy, but now I know I'm not alone. View Show Notes →
Okay, kids, we just gave some money to the homeless man at the last street corner. Do you give some more to the guy at this corner? View Show Notes →
Benjamin Franklin said, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail". View Show Notes →
When kids live between two homes, you can't win every parenting battle, but some issues are a hill worth dying on. View Show Notes →
You know that last argument you had-it was definitely the other person's fault. View Show Notes →
Now here's a resolution for you. Colossians 3 says, "Set your mind on things above". View Show Notes →
Did your mother ever tell you to save for a rainy day? So, did Solomon. View Show Notes →
If your blended family Christmas turned out to be less than you'd hoped for, be encouraged. Bob and Vicki Maday and their grown daughters describe the rough parts of their first Christmas as a stepfamily. View Show Notes →
One voice worth listening to is the voice of experience. View Show Notes →
The holidays can be a challenge for blended families. Ron Deal moderates a panel discussing the complexity of holidays with stepfamilies. View Show Notes →
Holidays for newly blended families can be a minefield of hurt feelings if you don't know the terrain. Ron Deal talks with Michelle Hill to help families navigate the holidays by managing expectations from the start. View Show Notes →
Healthy co-parenting is hard. So, is it worth all the hard work? View Show Notes →
How do you prevent divorce in the next generation? View Show Notes →
If you're a single parent or dating one, here's a dating myth to avoid. View Show Notes →
Patient investing, over a long period of time, usually pays off big! View Show Notes →
Yeah, parental unity is a really good idea. But can co-parents, living in two different homes, find parental unity? View Show Notes →
If you're a single parent or dating one, here's a dating myth to avoid. View Show Notes →
Clarence, the angel from It's a Wonderful Life, says, "No man is a failure who has friends." View Show Notes →
Ok, kids, listen up. A critical heart toward your stepparent can bring you a lot of pain. View Show Notes →
Does your child live between two homes? When attending their activities, follow these event-etiquette guidelines. View Show Notes →
You know, when it comes to faults, we all have them. View Show Notes →
If you're a single parent or dating one, here's a dating myth to avoid. View Show Notes →
You know, sometimes the best thing you can do with the Bible, is live it. View Show Notes →
Most families have some unwritten codes of conduct and you better abide by them. View Show Notes →
You want to be a blessing to your children, right? Well here's how. View Show Notes →
Moving between homes is stressful for kids. One antidote is a smooth transition. View Show Notes →
A French poet once said, "A brother is a friend given by nature." Well, what if the brother was given by marriage? View Show Notes →
A French poet once said, "A brother is a friend given by nature." Well, what if the brother was given by marriage? View Show Notes →
On his way out the door, he looked me in the eye and said, "Take care of your marriage." View Show Notes →
Do you want to rise above the clutter? Walk your talk. View Show Notes →
Is alcohol abuse alive and well in your home? If so, it's time to send it packing. View Show Notes →
Hey Ron, are stepfamilies and adoptive families similar? View Show Notes →
Quick judgments often lead to foolish responses. View Show Notes →
Compassionately correcting a friend is an act of love. View Show Notes →
Fight, fight! When new siblings don't get along. View Show Notes →
Fight, fight! When new siblings don't get along. View Show Notes →
Ron, my teenager is boycotting dinner. Should we make her join us?" View Show Notes →
But how do you cook stew when some of the ingredients aren't in the pot? View Show Notes →
But how do you cook stew when some of the ingredients aren't in the pot? View Show Notes →
But how do you cook stew when some of the ingredients aren't in the pot? View Show Notes →
Most of us are living with the illusion of control. View Show Notes →
Most of us are living with the illusion of control. View Show Notes →
One of my goals...connecting you to your child's heart. View Show Notes →
And yet another case of how human wisdom falls short of God's. View Show Notes →
When it comes to protecting our honor, sometimes I think we've got it all wrong. View Show Notes →
Movie theatres project an image on to a screen. Sometimes people project frustrations. View Show Notes →
Are you struggling in your marriage? Stay the course. View Show Notes →
The legacy you leave it rooted in the life you live. View Show Notes →
Are you an owner of your house or just a houseguest? View Show Notes →
The game "Hide and Seek" was fun as a kid; not so much as an adult. View Show Notes →
One way to keep the oxygen flowing to your marriage is to steal a kiss. View Show Notes →
Today on the broadcast, Sandi Patty and her husband Don Peslis tell their story to Ron Deal, and how God has redeemed even their mistakes for His glory. View Show Notes →
Why would a parent put their child to death? View Show Notes →
Why would a parent put their child to death? View Show Notes →
When you hear the word stepfamily, which narrative do you think of? View Show Notes →
Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. View Show Notes →
Today's blended family...needs a grace-filled grandparent. View Show Notes →
This is ironic, in today's digital world we're more connected and disconnected than ever before. View Show Notes →
In biological families, when a husband and wife move toward each other, they bring their children with them. View Show Notes →
Ron, he has nothing to do with them. He has completely shut down toward my kids. View Show Notes →
Ron, he has nothing to do with them. He has completely shut down toward my kids. View Show Notes →
Now, as far as national days go, Mother's Day and Thanksgiving I get. But Bologna Day? View Show Notes →
Someone once said that being nagged is like being nibbled to death by a duck. View Show Notes →
Is your family communication filtered or unfiltered? View Show Notes →
Is your family communication filtered or unfiltered? View Show Notes →
Do you see that smile on that older person's face? They must be a grandparent. View Show Notes →
Do you see that smile on that older person's face? They must be a grandparent. View Show Notes →
I once witnessed someone act in a mature, loving way and I learned a lot. View Show Notes →
I once witnessed someone act in a mature, loving way and I learned a lot. View Show Notes →
A biological family is born out of hopefulness while a stepfamily is born out of loss. View Show Notes →
A biological family is born out of hopefulness while a stepfamily is born out of loss. View Show Notes →
A biological family is born out of hopefulness while a stepfamily is born out of loss. View Show Notes →
A biological family is born out of hopefulness while a stepfamily is born out of loss. View Show Notes →
It's a tough world out there; I say we lean in together. View Show Notes →
It's a tough world out there; I say we lean in together. View Show Notes →
Did Jesus' love and sacrifice for us make us more or less? View Show Notes →
Did Jesus' love and sacrifice for us make us more or less? View Show Notes →
Did your wedding gifts include a toaster, crockpot, and a grandchild? View Show Notes →
Did your wedding gifts include a toaster, crockpot, and a grandchild? View Show Notes →
Did your wedding gifts include a toaster, crockpot, and a grandchild? View Show Notes →
Never stop listening to instruction. View Show Notes →
Have you ever felt like you married the wrong person? Well, I say, you did. View Show Notes →
You know what a hybrid is, right? It's when two things are combined. View Show Notes →
I see you judging me because my family isn't "normal" but just like you, I didn't choose my family. View Show Notes →
Yes, stepfamilies are different than biological families, but God's principles still apply. View Show Notes →
I mean, come on. What's so special about faith, hope, and love? View Show Notes →
Hey, if your kids and I can't naturally get along then maybe we shouldn't have gotten together in the first place. It shouldn't have to be this much work. View Show Notes →
Yes, Ron, this marriage and family are much better than my first and I feel guilty about it. View Show Notes →
Wise stepparents honor their stepchildren's past. View Show Notes →
After her parent's divorce, Melody Fabien was hearing one thing about relationships from her mom, and something very different from her dad who had recently come to Christ. She tells her story to Ron Deal from the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. View Show Notes →
Do you want to start a fight in a stepfamily with adult kids? Just start talking about money. View Show Notes →
Sometimes announcing an engagement is an opportunity to find forgiveness. View Show Notes →
Ron, this is so hard for me to relate to. I've never experienced a blended family. Well, maybe you have. View Show Notes →
For many kids the summer visitation schedule is over. It's time to transition back to the other home. View Show Notes →
When you woke up today, you got to decide what clothes to put on. View Show Notes →
We expect the world to try to pull our kids away from Christ, but sometimes, it's their own family. View Show Notes →
Sometimes, the road to marital happiness is a lot longer than you thought. View Show Notes →
Do you remember that old adage about why you have two ears and only one mouth? View Show Notes →
Yeah, most couples divorce anyway so if you're having problems, just accept the inevitable. View Show Notes →
Today, a word of encouragement to stepparents: just keep on trucking. View Show Notes →
Have you ever had someone get mad at you...because you forgave them? View Show Notes →
Want to influence someone for good? Speak with the wisdom of God. View Show Notes →
It's a devastating loss when a loved one dies, especially when it is unexpected. Al Hsu talks about the complex grief he experienced when his father took his own life. Ron and Nan Deal talk about the sudden loss of their son, Connor. View Show Notes →
A foolish child will make your soul ache. View Show Notes →
Hey, have you heard this one: Two lips walk into a fight... View Show Notes →
What right do you Christians have to tell us about marriage you can't even get it right yourself? View Show Notes →
When the cat's away, the mice will...try to play the other parent, that's what! View Show Notes →
Being optimistic about the future of your marriage, improves your marriage. View Show Notes →
Sometimes, the best way to avoid a conflict is to just drop it. View Show Notes →
I can't help it, Ron. That's just how I feel. View Show Notes →
Sometimes, kids and parents just don't listen. View Show Notes →
Blending a family isn't easy, but it's definitely worth it. Ron Deal reminds couples that their marriage must be a priority if the marriage is going to thrive. Hear one young woman share what it's like to be a stepdaughter. View Show Notes →
If you've ever been to a foreign country you know just what I mean. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal explains that marriage, while typically a two-person dance, gets complicated as couples try to manage all the lives around them. He encourages couples to hold onto God's hand and never give up. View Show Notes →
Hey co-parents, for the sake of your kids find a way to do business. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal talks with Dave and Ann Wilson about how couples often get blindsided when trying to blend two families. He gives some practical advice for interacting with stepchildren. View Show Notes →
Meddling mother-in-law? What if you have a meddling ex-wife-in-law? View Show Notes →
Hey Ron, when do I introduce my dating partner to my kids? View Show Notes →
Ron, because my children are adults, I thought me dating wouldn't be a problem. Boy was I wrong. View Show Notes →
Dating for two is difficult. Dating in a crowd is downright complicated. View Show Notes →
Harmony at home is far more satisfying than a giant feast. View Show Notes →
Okay, you've already celebrated Mother's Day and now I'm wondering what do you have planned for Father's Day? View Show Notes →
A good father serves and leads his family, and executes authority in the home. Stepdads can do this, too, but in the beginning it may look a little different. View Show Notes →
When no one is talking about the elephant in the room, what you should do is...talk about the elephant in the room. View Show Notes →
When faced with a difficult person, be like Jesus. View Show Notes →
I'll never forget it. The first time I came home from work and my wife said, "Tag, you're it." View Show Notes →
When our kids take their frustration out on a scapegoat, what do we do? View Show Notes →
Managing our anger starts with not having a scapegoat. View Show Notes →
We've all done it. We've all taken our anger out on someone who didn't deserve it. But why? View Show Notes →
There's a shame virus infecting parents and it's time we address it. View Show Notes →
When it comes to social justice, facing adversity with self-control has the biggest impact. View Show Notes →
Want your friends to like who you love? Be careful what you say. View Show Notes →
An axe can split a block of wood and a whisper can divide a relationship. View Show Notes →
So, let me get this straight. I'm expected to raise my stepchildren, provide for them, and pay for college, but I don't have any legal rights to them? View Show Notes →
You may have a deep bond with your stepchild, but you can't give permission for a dental cleaning. View Show Notes →
We expect the law to protect the rights of family members. Sometimes, it doesn't. View Show Notes →
Have you ever run down the road only to discover, it's a dead end? View Show Notes →
Ron, we can't start a stepfamily Bible class or small group-we don't have all the answers. View Show Notes →
Have you ever taken a road trip with friends? Now, that's good times. View Show Notes →
You know, when you shoot par for the course, you're doing pretty good. View Show Notes →
Travel to a foreign land and you'll realize what you consider normal. View Show Notes →
Stepfamilies have a few financial landmines: don't step on them. View Show Notes →
Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:23) View Show Notes →
Okay, ladies. It's time to stop shooting yourself in the foot. View Show Notes →
When you live like Jesus, you make a difference in someone's life. View Show Notes →
You've been more of a mom to me than my real mom, so can I call you mom? View Show Notes →
Can you imagine? Telling a parent to abandon their child? View Show Notes →
She was happily married for 25 years. Then widowed. Then remarried...at age 83!!?? View Show Notes →
As we approach Mother's day in this disruptive spring of 2020, let's consider the effort moms are putting in just to keep our society running as well as possible. Ron Deal, Laura Petherbridge, Kim Anthony, and Tim Challies share about the enduring influence of mothers. View Show Notes →
Discipline and a stern lecture are only for the young, right? Well... View Show Notes →
When a relationship feels fragile, it's tempting to stop speaking the truth. View Show Notes →
Okay, if you have any relationships, anybody you care about, I want to give you a principle that will strengthen those relationships. Are you listening? View Show Notes →
Compared to other siblings stepsiblings have less conflict. That may not be as good as it sounds. View Show Notes →
Laughter is contagious, right? Well, so is a smile. View Show Notes →
Have you ever met a rich person who was miserable? View Show Notes →
How do you let stepchildren know you're not trying to take their parent's place? View Show Notes →
Did you know that when it comes to your neighbor, the Bible says that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all? View Show Notes →
Conversations about money and inheritances can be uncomfortable. But wouldn't it be better to talk about it with family members while you can? Ron Deal gives suggestions about how to make wise money decisions. View Show Notes →
I think it's time to rethink premarital sex and cohabitation. View Show Notes →
You can tell a lot about what a person values by the choices they make with money. Ron Deal says finances and personal values are especially complicated in blended families. He lists practical tools to help make asset management easier, on FamilyLife Today View Show Notes →
Life poses many questions. And when painful things happen, our questions reveal a lot about us. View Show Notes →
When two people have their backs turned, who makes the first move? View Show Notes →
I've been asked many times, "How do people survive tragedy without God?" Answer: I have no idea. View Show Notes →
With COVID-19 we're all in uncharted territory. Brian Goins and Ron Deal offer us a compass for navigating this frightening new normal. Listen as Brian and Ron talk about the four points of the compass beginning with finding true north in God, on FamilyLife Today. View Show Notes →
Well, I'm back with another big mistake that stepfamilies make. View Show Notes →
Have you ever tried to build a home without a blueprint? View Show Notes →
When it comes to stepfamilies, there's not a one-size-fits-all estate plan. View Show Notes →
Ron, we're struggling, and I just need a dose of encouragement. View Show Notes →
Dave Wilson, Ron Deal, Kyle Idleman, Lacey Buchanan, and Mary Kassian tell their stories of hurt and disappointment, and their biblical source of hope. View Show Notes →
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words...well words, can hurt even worse. View Show Notes →
Bob Lepine, Ron Deal, Gary Chapman, Juli Slattery, Charlie and Kirstie Dates, and Dave and Ann Wilson discuss expectations in marriage from the 2020 Love Like You Mean It® marriage cruise. View Show Notes →
Circle the wagons. Put up your shield. And don't let it divide you. View Show Notes →
Join Bob Lepine, Ron Deal, Gary Chapman, Juli Slattery, Charlie and Kirstie Dates, and Dave and Ann Wilson for a panel discussion about marriage recorded aboard the 2020 Love Like You Mean It® marriage cruise. View Show Notes →
So, in your house do you say our "daughter-in-law" or "our daughter"? View Show Notes →
Can you imagine-being deployed in a foreign country and losing your children back home? View Show Notes →
Have you ever made a decision and discovered it wasn't everything you hoped? View Show Notes →
Gary Chapman joins Ron Deal to talk about loving your blended family members through the five love languages: touch, quality time, gifts, words of affirmation, and acts of service. View Show Notes →
Gary Chapman and Ron Deal team up to talk about applying the love languages to a second marriage. Both spouses need to be intentional about protecting their marriage and reassuring their children. View Show Notes →
You know, life can be complicated. So, sometimes, we just need to dumb it down a little. View Show Notes →
What says love to you? A tender touch? A surprise gift? Time with your honey? Gary Chapman joins blended-family expert Ron Deal, to talk about the love languages and the blended family. View Show Notes →
How do you form a loving relationship with someone who isn't motivated to love you? View Show Notes →
Ron, I really want to get married again someday, but before I do, I want to learn as much as I can so I don't repeat the past. View Show Notes →
I'm wondering, should you pray for God to change your spouse? View Show Notes →
Michelle Hill tosses tricky dating scenarios to Ron Deal who offers insight into whether the single-parent situation in question is a red light, a caution light, or a green light. View Show Notes →
When it comes to bonding with a stepchild their age matters. View Show Notes →
Corporations have business meetings all the time. Shouldn't families do that? View Show Notes →
Single Parent Dating 101: How to do it successfully and what to avoid. Ron Deal offers a biblical perspective on this minefield of complex relationships. How to date wisely as a single parent. View Show Notes →
So which comes first in your household your marriage or the kids? View Show Notes →
Ron, I so want my kids to love the Lord. So what do I do when their other home is not a good influence? View Show Notes →
She's showing her true colors, Ron, and they're not very pretty. View Show Notes →
What sort of term of endearment do you give a spouse who has the soul of a pterodactyl? View Show Notes →
One of the most common points of contention in marriage is the issue of money. Crystal Paine, Tom Nelson, and Ron Deal offer some strategies to help keep money from being a source of conflict. View Show Notes →
Have you ever thought that one reason kids don't like their stepparent is because they like their stepparent? View Show Notes →
Just how far would you go to care for one of your children? View Show Notes →
Ron, I thought I was going crazy, but now I know I'm not alone. View Show Notes →
Benjamin Franklin said, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." View Show Notes →
You know that last argument you had-it was definitely the other person's fault. View Show Notes →
Now here's a resolution for you. Colossians 3 says, "Set your mind on things above." View Show Notes →
When it comes to disagreements, a prideful person just makes things worse. View Show Notes →
Do you remember record albums? How many grooves are there in a 12-inch record? View Show Notes →
Have you ever gotten the feeling that your relationships are doing a number on you? View Show Notes →
Ron, I just don't think I was cut out to be part of a stepfamily. View Show Notes →
We all have a God-shaped hole in our heart. And a dad-shaped hole. View Show Notes →
Do you know what goes well together? Grandparents and Christmas! View Show Notes →
Is your family walking the path of righteousness? View Show Notes →
Parenting a troubled child always begins with managing ourselves first. View Show Notes →
When someone you care about becomes unavailable to you, what do you do? View Show Notes →
Do you have a plan for your work day or future goals? How about a parenting plan? View Show Notes →
Less than half of engaged couples with kids discuss how they're going to parent those kids after the wedding. Hey, that's not a good idea. View Show Notes →
Here's a holiday inspired tip for parents and stepparents: when you make Christmas cookies this year, remember, there's no cookie cutter kids. View Show Notes →
Holiday pictures should have everyone in the frame, right? But sometimes they don't. View Show Notes →
Does your childhood, or previous relationships, ever creep into your current ones? Ron Deal is talking with USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer on this topic. View Show Notes →
Well, the old adage is true: Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. View Show Notes →
Co-Parents: If you really want to bless your children, here's a quality to strive for. View Show Notes →
Thanksgiving! No, I mean, thanks for giving. View Show Notes →
Hey Ron, what's the best way to tell my kids I'm getting married? View Show Notes →
Have you wondered what's going on inside a child of divorce? Ron Deal and Lauren Reitsema address common questions parents and stepparents ask about kids. View Show Notes →
You know, sometimes members of a stepfamily are confused about what to call each other. View Show Notes →
The Bible says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." What? Speak up! I can't hear you! View Show Notes →
Yeah, kids are sometimes hesitant to warm up to their stepparent. But what do you do when it's the stepparent who won't warm up? View Show Notes →
Have you ever noticed that worry can spoil an otherwise happy day? View Show Notes →
You know that scene in Forrest Gump when he runs back and forth across the country for three years? Hey, stop running! View Show Notes →
Well, he didn't get to walk his daughter down the aisle, but he did get the daddy-daughter dance. View Show Notes →
Licensed counselor Ron Deal talks about the physical and emotional effects of traumatic stress, and Tracy Lane shares her experience regarding her daughter's heart surgeries. View Show Notes →
One way to develop faith in your children is to think out loud. View Show Notes →
Good parenting is in part about managing your children. But often more about managing yourself. View Show Notes →
Parents are lying to their kids...for personal gain. And, it's got to stop. View Show Notes →
A stepmom, Linda, sent me an e-mail. I could see her smile in her words. View Show Notes →
If you want to feel close in your marriage, do things that make you close. View Show Notes →
I'm not sure you want to do this, but if you want to push a friend or family member away, just lie to them. View Show Notes →
Ron, I'm an adult and my mom is dating a guy and I'm having a rough time with it. View Show Notes →
Parents, what's your role when it comes to your kids and the other parent? View Show Notes →
For a woman with no biological children, stepping into the role of stepmom can be a bewildering labyrinth of complexities. Ron Deal and Laura Petherbridge discuss how to navigate this winding path. View Show Notes →
Okay, let's face it some people are just easier to forgive than others. View Show Notes →
How do you maintain parental unity when you disagree? View Show Notes →
Parents really must work together. So, here's another tip for maintaining your parental unity. View Show Notes →
Now here's another no-brainer about blended families: adding a stepparent to the parenting team is bound to change something. View Show Notes →
Your strength in parenting comes in part from your unity as a team. View Show Notes →
Fighting barriers in your marriage? Well, here's another tip for reducing the cholesterol in your marital heart: Adapt to life, as needed. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal says there's no need to carry around the baggage of your past sins and we should let God deal with it. He talks us through the story of the woman at the well. View Show Notes →
How can I share the gospel if my family is a mess? Ron Deal reminds us that most of the families featured in Jesus' lineage were dysfunctional, so you're in good company. View Show Notes →
Most grief is not processed in a neat little package of five steps. Ron Deal and Abigail Dodds each talk about processing different kinds of grief. They maintain that all grief should be processed--not avoided--in order to heal properly. View Show Notes →
Stepmoms bear a unique burden, and they often neglect their own care. Melanie Anthony offers hope for balance in the midst of the burden. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal and Michelle Hill talk about the grieving process and how to care for yourself and others you know who may be grieving. We'll also hear from Matthew Arbo and Jonathan Edwards on FamilyLife This Week. View Show Notes →
Rodney and Lisa Webb share their difficult blended journey, as counselor and therapist Helen Wheeler and blended family expert Ron Deal speak wisdom. View Show Notes →
Parenting is difficult, but when you add divorce, the challenge multiplies. Navigating even the most routine parental responsibilities can become difficult. Linda Ranson Jacobs talks to Ron Deal, offering help and hope to parents who may be struggling. View Show Notes →
Ronnie Tyler may have been in love with her husband, Lamar, but she wasn't that interested in his help with raising her two children. Ron Deal explores the complex nuances of blended relationships. View Show Notes →
Pastor and theologian John Ortberg talks with Ron Deal, providing a fresh perspective on the nature of eternity and our own connection to an eternal Creator. View Show Notes →
In this encouraging exploration of the real state of marriage, researcher and author Shaunti Feldhahn teams up with Ron Deal for a deep look at the facts behind the statistics. View Show Notes →
Growing up, Dave Bondeson's father told him, "Remember, you're a Bondeson and a Christian." Dave finds it challenging to translate that into a blended family with a stepdaughter whose last name is not Bondeson. View Show Notes →
Authors Dave and Ann Wilson talk to Ron Deal about the impact divorce can have on a person's life. The Wilsons share how the divorce impacted Dave's ability to resolve conflict in a healthy way. View Show Notes →
Her only complaint? That they didn't come into her life earlier. View Show Notes →
Her only complaint? That they didn't come into her life earlier. View Show Notes →
Dave and Ann Wilson talk to Ron Deal about the hard realities of his parents' divorce when he was seven years old. Hear firsthand how divorce impacts a child. View Show Notes →
A panel of experts answers your questions about forgiveness in marriage. Voddie Baucham, Juli Slattery, DA and Elicia Horton, and Ron Deal address difficult situations with truth from Scripture. View Show Notes →
A panel of experts answers some of your toughest questions about marital intimacy. Voddie Baucham, Juli Slattery, DA and Elicia Horton, and Ron Deal address difficult situations with truth from Scripture. View Show Notes →
No, Ron, I don't think a forever family is possible. At least not for me. View Show Notes →
What happens when a dad and stepdad team up? Kids win-that's what happens. View Show Notes →
Well, you won't hear this in a marriage conference. There's no marriage in heaven. View Show Notes →
Well, you won't hear this in a marriage conference. There's no marriage in heaven. View Show Notes →
This week we've been talking about maximizing the fun-factor in your marriage. But did you know that sometimes the path to fun is full of sacrifice. View Show Notes →
This week we've been talking about maximizing the fun-factor in your marriage. But did you know that sometimes the path to fun is full of sacrifice. View Show Notes →
Guess what? A regular diet of fun predicts whether stepfamily couples have a dynamic, fulfilling relationship or an unhappy one. View Show Notes →
You don't have to be a brain surgeon to guess that having fun together as a couple is good for your marriage. And you'd be right! View Show Notes →
For your kid's sake, wouldn't you like to know the path to great faith? View Show Notes →
Ron, if it weren't for the stepfamily, we'd be a happily married couple." View Show Notes →
But Ron, I don't want to date someone who has kids." Well, good. I don't want you to either. View Show Notes →
Look at your life through someone else's eyes. View Show Notes →
Look at your life through someone else's eyes. View Show Notes →
There are many people, single AND married, who feel isolated and alone on Valentine's Day. Director of FamilyLife Blended and licensed counselor Ron Deal talks about healthy ways of coping with loneliness. View Show Notes →
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. View Show Notes →
Ron, what do you do if you're trying to bond with a stepchild, but all they say is, "Talk to the hand"? View Show Notes →
Ron, what do you do if you're trying to bond with a stepchild, but all they say is, "Talk to the hand"? View Show Notes →
Ron, after the end of a relationship, how long should I wait before dating again? View Show Notes →
Today, I'm stepping into controversy and some of you are going to be irritated. View Show Notes →
Ron, Ron, bo Bon, Bonana fanna fo Fon...Okay, you know what I'm doing. I'm playing the name game. Well, stepfamilies play a different name game. View Show Notes →
We all know that divorce is hard on kids, right? But did you know that adjusting to a parent's remarriage is even harder. View Show Notes →
The book of Proverbs says, listen to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. But what about a stepfather or a stepmother's instruction? Do you have to listen to that, too? View Show Notes →
A good co-parent meeting is worth its weight in gold. View Show Notes →
A good co-parent meeting is worth its weight in gold. View Show Notes →
Ron Deal tackles the delicate topic of sexual intimacy. As Deal explains, to be intimate with someone is to know them at a deep level. But what does a person do with their sexual past, especially as they enter into a new marriage? View Show Notes →
Well, you never saw this one coming. You just became a step-grandparent. How do you do that? View Show Notes →
Well, you never saw this one coming. You just became a step-grandparent. How do you do that? View Show Notes →
If you're single and dating and at least one of you has kids, you need to do your homework. View Show Notes →
If you're single and dating and at least one of you has kids, you need to do your homework. View Show Notes →
All right, here's a hard one. How do you help an irresponsible person to become responsible? View Show Notes →
Have you ever noticed a parent turning a blind eye to their child's poor behavior? View Show Notes →
Do you know what happens when a boomerang child leaves your home? They come back. View Show Notes →
With well over half of couples today living together before marriage there must be some really good benefits to doing so, right? View Show Notes →
What if we parented according to the beatitudes? View Show Notes →
What if we parented according to the beatitudes? View Show Notes →
We've all heard Romans 5:8; "while we were still sinners Christ died for us." View Show Notes →
We've all heard Romans 5:8; "while we were still sinners Christ died for us." View Show Notes →