Blended, Bumpy, and Beautiful
Embracing the Real Story of Family Wellness
Is your family story messier than you imagined? Let’s get honest … if you’ve ever scrolled through parenting social media or binge-watched primetime TV, maybe there’s a part of you still holding out hope for the “Leave It To Beaver” fantasy of what family life should look like. Maybe you became a parent and thought a happy marriage and easy parenting would fall into place. Have you ever found yourself wistfully wondering, “Does anyone actually have this all figured out?”
If your real story is more blended family than picture-perfect, more chili night and custody exchange than storybook bedtime routine, you are not alone.
Let’s be real: most of us are figuring it out as we go. Here at Embrace Renewal Therapy, we find that the families who walk through our doors rarely look picture-perfect. Many are a swirl of backgrounds, new beginnings, stressful histories, and courageous hope. Our therapists hear stories like Bubba Startz’s from The Real Family Eats podcast - stories of unconventional journeys, blended families, and the struggle to show up as the best version of yourself, even when your history is complicated.
And guess what? That’s real. That’s normal.
So what does it mean to invest in your wellness, even when your family doesn’t look like the ones on TV? It means letting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing the beautiful, messy truth that healthy relationships are built step by step, often out of challenge and choice.
Owning your story (even the hard parts). One thing Bubba shared that stays with us is the power of accountability and transparency as parents and partners. His commitment to honesty with his kids, even about the tough and painful parts of his past, opens up space for healing, connection, and genuine trust.
In our couples and parenting workshops, we invite parents to sit with this question: what would it be like to get real about your own story as a partner and parent? To practice healthy ownership of your choices? Maybe you, too, were shaped by parents who kept secrets "for your own good" or by experiences that left you vowing to do life differently. The truth is, healing and growth begin when we take off the mask - first with ourselves, then each other.
What does wellness-in-action look like in your relationship? Maybe it looks like the simple act of cooking together, sharing family recipes, or embracing comfort foods (like Bubba’s “butt kicking chili,” a staple in his blustery South Dakota home). Maybe it means investing time in your relationship, even as you parent, co-parent, or manage the bumps of blended family life.
At Embrace Renewal Therapy, we specialize in:
Couples Therapy for parents: Rediscover connection and navigate tough conversations, no perfection required.
Parenting Workshops: Learn practical communication and co-parenting skills (great for every kind of family).
Newborn Baby Couples Workshops: Welcoming a baby? We help couples get ready for the transitions - mess and all.
Couples Therapy Intensives: For families ready for deeper healing in a supportive space.
If you’re reading this, feeling like you’re the only one whose family doesn’t fit the “ideal”…stop right there. We’ve been there. Our doors and hearts are open to real stories, real relationships, and real growth.
Choosing yourself (and your relationship) isn’t selfish, it’s essential. You can start today. Whether you come as a couple, a co-parenting team, or a blended family, we invite you to take the next step in investing in your wellness and your relationship. After all, your journey, bumps and all, is worthy of support and celebration.
And if you need some comfort food for your soul along the way, might we suggest a simmering pot of chili, shared with the ones you love? (Bonus points for real conversation over the meal!)
Ready to embrace the real path to wellness? Reach out to schedule a consultation, learn about our upcoming couples and parenting workshops, or follow our podcast recommendations for more authentic family stories. Healing starts with the first honest step.
Embrace Renewal Therapy - where real families, real stories, and real transformation are always welcome.
