Blending a family is not magical at first. It's two entire worlds trying to share one kitchen, one routine, and one emotional landscape.

In this episode, Jamie and Jim break down the biggest mistake blended families make: trying to force the "we're one big happy family now" moment. They share the simple framework from The Family Board Meeting that helped them build trust, safety, and belonging inside their home.

Blending does not happen through pressure. It happens through consistency, presence, and courage.

If you're navigating step-parenting, adoption, or remarriage, this conversation will give you a grounded starting point.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why forcing connection actually delays bonding
• The power of intentional one-on-one time
• How tech distraction quietly damages trust
• Why the parent must go first in vulnerability
• The importance of never speaking poorly about other parental counterparts
• How 4 to 6 weeks of consistency can shift the entire home dynamic

Resources

Want practical tools for building trust and communication in your home? Grab a copy of "The Family Board Meeting" and start implementing the three simple pillars discussed in this episode.

Visit www.18summers.com to explore more family leadership tools and conversations.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers and co-authors of The Family Board Meeting. As parents of five in a blended family, they've walked the challenges of step-parenting, adoption, and remarriage firsthand. Through books, retreats, and honest conversations, they equip families to build trust, deepen connection, and lead their homes with intention.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more blended families build strong foundations.

Family trips are supposed to be magical.

So why do they sometimes feel messy, chaotic, and completely exhausting?

In this episode, Jamie and Jim unpack the real reasons parents avoid traveling with their kids. From schedule disruptions and budget fears to airport meltdowns and unexpected emergencies, they share honest stories from years of traveling as a growing family of seven.

The truth? Travel is rarely perfect. But it builds something far more valuable than comfort. It builds culture, resilience, perspective, and shared stories that shape your family for life.

If you've ever wondered whether the stress is worth it, this conversation will change how you see family adventure.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why "too stressful" is often just unmanaged expectations
• How messy travel moments become the most powerful memories
• Why kids remember more than you think
• The real cost of waiting until life feels convenient
• How to create buy-in so everyone feels invested in the adventure
• Why nothing is an emergency unless it's truly an emergency

Resources

Start small. Travel does not have to be international or expensive. A local road trip, camping weekend, or even a day adventure can create powerful family bonding moments.

Want to be intentional about how you build your family culture? Visit www.18summers.com to explore tools that help you lead your home with purpose.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers, a movement focused on helping families create deeper connection and stronger culture. As parents of five, they've built a family life centered around adventure, intentionality, and shared growth. Through retreats, books, and honest conversations, they equip parents to prioritize what truly matters before the 18 summers fly by.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Grab a copy of "The Family Board Meeting" to learn how to create simple rituals that strengthen communication and connection inside your home.

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more families choose connection over convenience.

Thinking about adoption? There are beautiful moments ahead, but there are also myths, pressure, and realities most people never talk about.

In this deeply personal episode, Jamie and Jim Sheils share their own adoption journey as a blended family of five children, including adoption at birth and adoption at older ages. They break down the misconceptions, emotional pressures, bonding challenges, and hard conversations every couple needs to have before starting the process.

Adoption is not a rescue mission. It is not a shortcut. It is a sacred commitment that requires alignment, preparation, boundaries, and honesty.

If you are considering adoption, or know someone who is, this episode is essential listening.

Key takeaways to listen for

• The biggest myths about adoption that create unnecessary pressure
• Why adoption must be two clear yeses from both partners
• How trauma, identity, and trust shape the bonding process
• Why love alone is not enough and what preparation really means
• The importance of boundaries in open and closed adoption
• What real attachment looks like and why it takes time

Resources

If adoption is on your heart, begin by educating yourself on trauma-informed parenting and attachment. Join adoptive and foster support groups, read widely, and connect with families who have walked this path before you.

To explore more conversations on intentional parenting and family leadership, visit www.18summers.com
.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers, a movement dedicated to helping families build stronger connections and raise confident, capable kids. As parents who have experienced blended family life, adoption, foster care, and biological parenting, they share honest conversations rooted in real experience. Their work centers on strengthening family culture, developing emotional intelligence, and preparing parents for the responsibilities that truly shape a child's life.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting" to learn how to build intentional rituals that strengthen your family bond.

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more families navigate adoption and parenting with clarity and confidence.