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Between Parents

This podcast is a dialog about challenges and opportunities parents face as they raise kids, enjoy marriage, and live a purpose-filled life. These honest conversations give parents fodder so they can talk to each other, be encouraged, and recognize they aren't raising kids alone.
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Now displaying: March, 2019
Mar 26, 2019

Unfortunately this simple question doesn’t have a simple answer. 

In this episode Billy and Joy discussed the critical milestones your kids should reach before getting a phone and the markers you’ll need to notice and, as necessary, discuss with your kids during the Pre-Phone Season. 

Now it’s time for you to have your own discussion. These questions should get you started!

TALK ABOUT THIS:

  • How digitally mature are your kids?
  • What conversations do you need to initiate with your kids?
  • What have been your biggest takeaways through this podcast series? 
  • What changes or additions do you want to make? 
  • What other adults are you having this conversation with on a regular basis?

 

LINKS:

RESOURCES FROM TRANSIT STUDENTS (North Point Community Church):

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS:

Mar 26, 2019

In the last episode we introduced the idea of evaluating digital maturity through a three-part filter - WHEN/HOW MUCH/WHY.

Keep those categories in mind as you listen to episode four. Then get ready to talk strategy! The discussion questions below should prompt you to share how to practically apply those filters in our families. However, you should use this time to get at the best ideas and to consider where you might need to make some changes!

 

TALK ABOUT THIS:

  • What digital guidelines do we have for our family? How do you know they are working?
  • Ask everyone to give a grade on their techniques considering the pros and cons. 
  • What digital guidelines do we want for our family? 
  • What are the best ways for us to have healthy discussion as a family around digital issues? 
  • What are the opportunities for us to use technology for good together? 
  • Are our kids mature enough to handle the digital opportunities we are giving them?

LINK:

BOOK: The Tech Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place.

by Andy Crouch

Mar 26, 2019

The primary role of a parent is to raise our kids into mature adults. This includes people who know how to do their own laundry, work, pay a few bills, recycle and maybe even get their own place to live! 

However, in the age of constant electronic connection, parents have a new item in their job description: raising digitally mature adults.  

Where do you begin? How do you know that maturity actually exists? Listen to this episode as a prompt for the discussion questions below.

TALK ABOUT THIS:

  • How do you define “digital maturity?” Does it differ from what you heard in the episode?
  • From your perspective, which seems to be the biggest challenge for your kids:
  • WHEN they use it
  • HOW MUCH they use it, or 
  • WHY they use it?
  • Ask your kids to identify their challenges, too. Do they match?
  • What are YOUR challenges with tech? (Remember, you don't get off the hook!) 
  • What should each of you do in response to these challenges?
  • How do you rate your ability to discuss your family tech struggles? Discuss how you can incorporate the language of WHEN/HOW MUCH/WHY into regular conversations. 

LINK: 

BOOK: Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour

Mar 26, 2019

When parents discuss technology, they frequently have negative opinions. 

Finding the threats to safety, attitudes, and relationships is an easy exercise, but what about the good? Are we worried about something innocuous? Or is technology going to ruin our families?

After you listen to this episode, have a candid discussion to assess if you’re overly concerned OR if you need to pay closer attention to what’s happening with these devices.

TALK ABOUT THIS:

  • Which POSITIVE benefits of technology have you seen in your home?
  • Consider the positive impact of time management, improved efficiency, and better connections.
  • Which NEGATIVE repercussions have you felt in your home?  
  • Consider the negative impact of time management, improved efficiency, and better connections.
  • If you have teenagers, ask THEM these questions, too! What did you learn? 
  • What factor does FEAR play in your approach to giving your kids digital opportunities? 
  • What adjustments should we make to our thinking?

LINK:

BOOK: The Tech Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place.

by Andy Crouch

Mar 26, 2019

Remember life before smartphones?  Do you ever wish we could go back to those days?  

Chances are your kids won’t ever distinguish between being on or off line because life will simply be online all the time. So since our digital devices are here to stay, how do we manage the impact on our lives? How do we navigate the tension when our kids seem obsessed with screens and parents might be a wee bit addicted too?

Listen to episode one then have a candid conversation about managing the tension tech brings. 

TALK ABOUT THIS:

  • How addicted are you to your devices? Do you struggle with feeling like a hypocrite?
  • Where do you fall on the technology pendulum? Are you more likely to see devices as a non-issue or are you hyper-concerned? Does it vary? why?
  • What are you emotions when it comes to parenting around technology?
  • In what ways do you relate to the idea of being a “digital immigrant?” Are you reluctant to jump into the new culture? How are you resistant to embracing the new motherland?
  • How do you see your kids being “digital natives?” Are any of their natural adaptations intimidating to you?
  • How can you connect with your kids THIS WEEK to understand more of their world? What specific app/game/YouTube star are you willing to have them teach you on? 

LINK:

BOOK: Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager In A Digital Media World 

by Dr. Kara Powell, Art Bamford, Brad M Griffin

Mar 19, 2019

Have you ever wondered how you’re doing as a parent? What do your kids think about the way you handle the family? If you want some insightful comments, ask them! In this episode we’ll discuss how to solicit feedback from the people who experience your highs and lows first hand.

Talk About This:

Although this week was all about questions, we still think there are a few things you should process with your spouse.  

Discuss the answers you got from your kids and what you learned. Did any of the answers surprise you?

Are there things you need to change in light of your kid's answers?

What would you do differently the next time you plan an "awkward" session?

Related Links:

Episode #11 – The Awkward Date Night

Also remember:

Want to reach us? You can find us on the socials @betweenparents on Instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! 

Finally, if you don’t know where to begin listening to back episodes of the podcast, look for the helpful packages on our website betweenparentspodcast.com

Thanks for being awesome!

 

Mar 12, 2019

Have you ever noticed how your spouse is different from you? Have you ever been irritated by the difference? Maybe you’ve been able to move past the difference and ended up in a really happy place. What accounts for the spread between irritation and celebration? That’s the discussion on this episode!

Talk About This:

Evaluate what season are you in?

Is your spouse in the same season?

What are the differences that need to be celebrated?

What obstacles are preventing you from moving to season 4 or 5 (Appreciation/Celebration)

Related Links:

Episode #60 – What To Do When Your Spouse Annoys

Episode #107 – Understanding Personality Types

Also remember:

Want to reach us? You can find us on the socials @betweenparents on Instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! 

Finally, if you don’t know where to begin listening to back episodes of the podcast, look for the helpful packages on our website betweenparentspodcast.com

Thanks for being awesome!

 

Mar 5, 2019

If you have kids middle school age or younger today’s episode gives you some bite-sized thoughts to digest. Consider it a little encouragement for walking through the season of raging hormones, emotional tsunamis, and one-word answers.

Talk About This:

Which resonate with you most?

Which are you already doing?  

Which will be hardest for you to implement?

Which do you want to try?

Related Links:

Episode 8 - Is this Really Just a Stage?

Episode 73 - Enjoying the Middle School Years

Also remember:

Want to reach us? You can find us on the socials @betweenparents on Instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! 

Finally, if you don’t know where to begin listening to back episodes of the podcast, look for the helpful packages on our website betweenparentspodcast.com

Thanks for being awesome!

 

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