Ep42: Blending StepFamilies with Heart and Wisdom: Dr. Ann OrdwayIn

In today’s episode of the Children First Family Law podcast, Krista Nash welcomes Dr. Ann Ordway, a family law attorney, parenting coordinator, and stepfamily coach. Together, they unpack what it takes to build a healthy blended family, one grounded in patience, emotional awareness, and long-term thinking.

Go here to listen → https://childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/bl...

Dr. Ordway shares what works and what fails when families blend too quickly. She draws on her professional expertise and personal experience of raising seven children in a blended family. They explore how children react to transitions, how co-parents can support one another across households, and how step-parents can earn trust instead of expecting it.

This episode gives parents and professionals a roadmap for blending families that prioritizes emotional safety and sets children up to thrive.

In this episode, you will hear:
-Begin stepfamily transitions by acknowledging loss and grief
-Give each child space to adjust at their own pace
-Slow down recoupling to avoid emotional whiplash
-Approach introductions gradually, with clear communication
-Build step-parent relationships through trust, not authority
-Spend one-on-one time to strengthen individual bonds
-Coordinate with co-parents to reduce confusion and fear
-Keep children in familiar spaces when possible
-Treat stepchildren and biological children equitably
-Model respectful relationships between all households

Resources from this Episode
www.afccnet.org/About/Staff/ann
www.stepfamily.org
www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com
All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation.

Chapter
00:00 - Meet Dr. Ann Ordway
04:01 - Too fast to blend?
07:03 - Attachment after divorce
08:56 - Repairing the damage

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Episode Credits
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