In this episode of Penned in Ink, we talk about managing friends and family as your relationship grows and why the “outer circle” can create pressure, conflict, and unnecessary stress if boundaries aren’t clear. We share real-life examples from our own marriage and Melissa’s clinical experience to help you recognize when advice is supportive and when it crosses into overstepping.
We walk through a practical, five-step framework for setting healthy boundaries with friends and family, including how to use I statements, enforce boundaries consistently, and protect your partnership without damaging important relationships. If you’ve ever struggled with unsolicited opinions about your partner, finances, holidays, or life decisions, this episode will give you clear tools to move forward with confidence.
And to help you create healthy boundaries in your own life, we created a FREE guide that walks you through a five-step framework for setting boundaries with friends and family.
Get your FREE guide titled “Outer Circle Boundaries: A 5-Step Action Plan for Protecting Your Relationship”.
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Chapters
00:00 – Welcome and introduction
01:46 – Getting unwanted input
12:44 – When to set a boundary
21:12 – How to set a boundary
22:01 – Step 1 | Schedule a conversation
23:04 – Step 2 | Share the issue using “I” statements
25:01 – Step 3 | Clearly express the boundary
26:43 – Step 4 | Consistently enforce the boundary
28:14 – Step 5 | Express appreciation when the boundary is honored
31:40 – Inked Moments: Parenting advice from mom
34:24 – Building a support network
40:38 – Pen to Paper: Setting a clear boundary
43:53 – Closing thoughts