Boundaries, Drama, and Toxic In-laws w/Erin & Stephan

Mama Knows

In this conversation, Nina interviews Stephen and Erin Mitchell, a couple who run a company called Couples Counseling for Parents. They discuss the common issue of in-laws causing tension in relationships and provide insights on how to navigate this challenge. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, validating each other's experiences, and working as a team. The conversation covers topics such as handling sensitive conversations about in-laws, dealing with defensive partners, and finding effective communication strategies. Overall, the conversation normalizes the difficulties of navigating relationships with in-laws and offers practical advice for couples. In this conversation, Stephen and Erin discuss the importance of setting boundaries with in-laws and navigating challenging relationships. They emphasize the need for clear communication and expressing needs in a vulnerable way. They also discuss the distinction between difficult relationships and toxic relationships, highlighting the importance of addressing toxic dynamics. They provide insights on how to have proactive conversations, give positive feedback, and navigate challenging situations with in-laws. They also touch on the topic of cutting out toxic family members and the importance of being on the same page as a couple.

00:00: Introduction and Background of the Guests

02:00: The Common Issue of In-Laws Causing Tension

06:21: Navigating the Complexities of In-Law Relationships

08:19: Validating Experiences and Emotions in In-Law Discussions

13:03: Setting Boundaries and Expectations with In-Laws

19:28: Working as a Team to Navigate In-Law Challenges

23:12: Navigating Boundaries with In-Laws

27:00: Proactive Communication and Positive Feedback

28:15: Setting Boundaries with In-Laws

33:05: Differentiating Difficult Relationships and Toxic Relationships

44:19: The Serious Decision of Cutting Out Toxic Family Members

About Erin and Stephen

We are a married couple with three kids and founders of Couples Counseling for Parents. Also, we both have advanced degrees in psychology. Stephen is a psychotherapist and has a PhD in Medical Family Therapy and Erin has a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

Just like every couple we want to feel in love and feel deeply connected to one another. As parents we want to give our kids the world, be phenomenal parents, and feel close to our kids.

Sometimes in the chaos of parenting it doesn’t feel like you can be close as a couple. Your are too tired, too busy, too overwhelmed, too everything…

We have taken all our experience (personal and professional) and education about relational wellness and developed practical tools for couples to connect and stay connected as they parent.

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