309: Blending With Autism

309: Blending With Autism

Author: Lori Sims & David Sims May 2, 2025 Duration: 52:58

On today's episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with  "Bookworm Stepmom," for a heartfelt and engaging conversation about navigating the highs and lows of blended family life. Stepmom opens up about her journey from single and childless to stepmom of two girls and mom to two more young children, one of whom is autistic. They dig into the realities of co-parenting with an ex, maintaining balance in a blended household, and how stepmom's personal experiences as a stepchild shape her compassionate approach to stepmotherhood. From honest discussions about the challenges of special needs parenting and managing finances for the future, to candid stories about family dynamics, Bookworm Stepmom shares wisdom, humor, and practical tips for anyone in a blended family. Whether you're a stepparent, bio parent, or just love an honest family story, this episode is packed with lessons and laughs you won't want to miss!

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Expanding the family with "ours" kids
  • Dealing with high-conflict and jealousy
  • Navigating divorce, affairs, and co-parenting
  • Parenting Special Needs ("Ours") Child
  • Financial planning and inheritance in Blended Families

Nacho Kids Academy Success Stories:

I Didn't Need to Leave - I Just Needed to Nacho

I was emotionally exhausted, constantly fighting invisible battles in my own home. My stepkids ignored me, my partner seemed stuck in the middle, and every day felt like I was losing a piece of myself. I thought the only way to find peace was to leave.

Then I found the Nacho Kids Academy.

At first, I was skeptical - how could not parenting actually help? But the step-by-step guidance, real-life examples, and support inside the Academy opened my eyes. I learned how to let go of the responsibilities that were never mine to begin with. I stopped trying to fix things I didn't break. And I finally started healing.

The results? Less tension. More laughter. A stronger marriage. And oddly enough, a better connection with my stepkids now that I've stepped back.

Nachoing didn't mean giving up. It meant choosing peace—and I'll never look back. If you're struggling, this isn't just a course. It's a lifeline."

~ Jessica T. - A now happy stepmom! Thanks Nacho!

 

 

 


Navigating the complexities of a stepfamily can feel like an isolating journey, but it doesn’t have to be. The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver offers a genuine conversation for anyone in the thick of it, hosted by Lori and David Sims. As founders of Nacho Kids and experienced blended family coaches themselves, they bring both personal insight and professional guidance to each episode. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s real talk about the daily struggles, from co-parenting tensions and sibling dynamics to maintaining your own relationship sanity. You’ll hear from the hosts and their guests as they share candid stories of both setbacks and hard-won successes, creating a sense of community. At the heart of this podcast is the practical, life-changing framework of the Nacho Kids Method, which provides tangible strategies for saving relationships and building a peaceful home. Tune in for honest discussions that replace judgment with support, offering the tools and reassurance needed to thrive in your blended family life. Each conversation is designed to make you feel understood and equipped, turning overwhelming challenges into manageable steps forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Podcast Episodes
310: Disrespect in Stepfamilies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:09
Welcome back to another episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast! In today's show, Lori and David dive into a challenge faced by many blended families: What happens when one partner feels that their stepchild is being disrespec…
308: Graduations And Stepfamilies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:13
Welcome back to the Nacho Kids Podcast! In this heartfelt and relatable episode, hosts David and Lori dive into the annual struggle of graduation ticket allocations. With only a handful of coveted seats for high school a…
307: Lisa Wilson ~ A History of Stepfamilies in Early America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:26
In this enlightening episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of stepfamilies in American history with our special guest, Lisa Wilson, the esteemed author of "A History of Stepfamilies in Early…
306: Easter In Stepfamilies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
Welcome to this episode of the NK Podcast, where hosts Lori and David dive into the intricacies of celebrating Easter within stepfamilies. The holiday season can be a delightful time, but it also brings unique challenges…
305: The Good Divorce Coach ~ Karen McNenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:07
Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast! In today's episode, hosts Lori and David welcome the insightful Karen McNenny, also known as the Good Divorce Coach. Karen joins us to challenge the trad…
304: Nacho Parenting: It's Not About Ignoring Step Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:27
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David dive into the often misunderstood concept of "nacho parenting." They start by addressing a common question: Does nachoing mean ignoring your stepkids? Lori…
303: Affairs Create Stepfamilies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:54
Hey, Nacho Parents! In this episode, we dive into the whirlwind story of a step couple who faced some major challenges blending their families. They've got a history that goes way back, but things got complicated when th…
302: Mother's Day Doesn't Have To Suck For Stepmoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:14
Welcome back to the Nacho Kids podcast! In this episode, titled "Mother's Day Doesn't Have To Suck For Stepmoms/Stepfamilies," hosts David and Lori dive into the complex dynamics of navigating Mother's Day as a stepparen…
301: Stepmom Didn't Want Kids - Audio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:02
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori Sims welcomes Mae, a stepmom navigating the challenging dynamics of her blended family. Mae lives with her partner, their two-year-old child, and her partner's kids—a 13-ye…
300: 300 Podcasts Later: Our Blended Family Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:23
In this milestone episode of the NK Podcast, we're celebrating our 300th episode! Join hosts Lori and David as they reflect on five and a half years of podcasting, sharing their journey and the valuable lessons they've l…