Let's face it, when single moms and single dads get together, it's pure naive idealism that would cause us to expect we're creating our own Brady Bunch. The reality of blended families is much different. Emily and I have been there ourselves, and have first-hand experience. We know full well it can seem more like being put through a Vita-Mix than a mere blender. But does it have to be such an ordeal? Well, there's no doubt that bringing everyone involved under one roof is a challenge, but yes...there is plenty of 20/20 foresight that can minimize both the drama and the pain. And what if you're already all together and facing profound issues as a blended family? No worries, Emily and I have real, actionable answers for you as well. So, why is blending a family uniquely different when it comes to baseline compatibility measures? What should we think about BEFORE dating a single parent? How does selfishness creep in to the picture...often with devastating results? What if you straight-up don't like each other's kids? What's the first thing that ought to happen as soon as you get engaged to a single parent? And what is the best way to give each of your kids a measure of ownership over their own destiny as step-kids, without conceding parental control? This is a big topic for sure, but prepared to be amazed by how much ground gets covered in one episode. Nevertheless, if this show raised more questions, please write us at scotandemily@scotandemily.com and/or visit us at https://www.scotandemily.com/podcast === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE === We'll keep the solid, actionable content coming...all for free. If you love what you hear, please give us a 'thumbs up' by rating the show (takes one second) and leaving us a review. As they say here in Texas, we appreciate you!