Grandparent estrangement has jumped from 1 in 10 to 1 in 6 families — and Rhonda believes it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, she sits down with author and family coach Lori Wildenberg (Grandparents Make Grand Partners) to talk honestly about the messy, tender work of staying connected across generations: navigating in-law relationships, setting boundaries without burning bridges, handling passive-aggressive family dynamics, and grieving well in front of your grandkids. Whether you're a new mom figuring out your in-laws or a grandparent longing for closeness with your grandchildren, this conversation offers real, faith-filled tools for building the kind of family glue that holds through the hard seasons.

Episode Highlights

  • Lori Wildenberg emphasizes that her guidance comes from real-life struggles and growth, not perfection, and discusses learning through hard family experiences 02:35.
  • Navigating in-law relationships requires grace, honest conversations, and a willingness to recognize shifting family roles 04:54.
  • Rhonda Stoppe and Lori Wildenberg talk about the increasing estrangement between grandparents and adult children, with Lori Wildenberg noting the statistic is now 1 in 6 families 09:08.
  • Addressing manipulation and passive-aggressive behaviors as the top causes of estrangement, they share the importance of being direct and striving for healthy communication 27:02.
  • Rhonda Stoppe shares personal stories of setting boundaries with her mother and modeling family honor, stressing the importance of letting adult children address issues with their own parents 21:08.
  • They explore the spiritual influence of grandparents, highlighting biblical examples like Timothy’s grandmother and Naomi’s legacy with Ruth 17:07.
  • The importance of processing grief openly as a family is discussed, with Lori Wildenberg sharing how their family honored her mother-in-law’s passing together 34:37.
  • Practical tips for honest family conversations include proactively apologizing for missteps and prefacing invitations or requests to prevent misunderstandings 41:05.


Resources Mentioned

Books by Lori Wildenberg:

Other People Mentioned:

Events & Tools:


Next Step

Check out Lori Wildenberg’s books or join the upcoming Raising Disciples Conference to deepen your family connections and faith legacy.

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"This podcast is for the purpose of mentoring only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained biblical counselor for help with your specific situation.”

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