Have you noticed how many kids suffer from anxiety these days? Therapists are alarmed by the trend, experts can’t agree on the causes, and parents live with the threat daily. In this episode Billy and Joy discuss the probable causes of anxiety and leave you with some practical questions to consider as you raise your kids.
Talk about this:
What do we model in terms of our anxiety levels?
Do we fret? Are we "worriers?" Do we operate from a place of fear?
Are there fear and anxiety issues you need to deal with yourself?
What is our plan for ensuring our kids have a robust community?
Do we help them process the tension in the comparison game?
Do we encourage competition and achievement or elevate the higher value of relationships?
We have to ask ourselves, what's the price of striving in our families?
What would happen if we made it our AMBITION to lead quiet (er) lives?
Related Links
A sobering look from the NYTimes Magazine...HERE
Lisa Damour’s book describes how anxiety impacts girls in her practice in her terrific book Untangled. Find it HERE
All kinds of great material from David Thomas and the team at Dayspring - HERE
Time Magazine profile of the anxiety issue teens face- HERE
Some blame anxiety on the lack of play... read about it HERE
Our previous podcast on keeping family fun HERE
Also remember:
We love hearing from you. Reach out on the socials @betweenparents on instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! Thanks for being awesome…
Even though we know it’s important to have dinner together, after hustling the family to the table, it’s exhausting to guide a meaningful conversation. Where do you start? Who has the energy to form a strategy?
In this episode Billy and Joy jump-start the process with a structure and 60 questions (pdf attached) so you can make your time around the table meaningful.
Take a listen!
Related Links
8 Strategies For Getting Your Family Around The Table
Family Stories That Bind Us - NYT
Also remember:
We love hearing from you. Reach out on the socials @betweenparents on instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! Thanks for being awesome…
Do you ever lose your cool? Have you ever felt like you have one nerve left and everyone is standing on it? If you’re like us, it’s easy to react to people and circumstances reflexively – to give full range to impatience, frustration, or anger.
In this episode Billy and Joy kick around the idea of responding rather than reacting to the things that bug us.
Take a listen and form some of your own opinions about their opinions!
Talk about this:
How often do I react to my kids versus respond to them?
What "Pause Phrases" can I use? (Practice them!)
What circumstances do I need to imagine in advance?
Where do I struggle to "assume good intentions?"
Related-ish Links
Malaphor examples
Getting to the bottom of disagreements – Episode #84 HERE
Also remember:
We love hearing from you. Reach out on the socials @betweenparents on instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! Thanks for being awesome…
Have you ever found yourself arguing with your spouse about little things? Do you feel compelled to fight about your opinions or refuse to let go of insignificant slights? Every couple has their share of arguments, but they don’t need to turn into relationship-busting warfare.
In this episode, Billy and Joy offer a word picture for getting to the bottom of disagreements and hopefully give you something meaningful to discuss. Take a listen!
Talk about this:
On average, how many of our disagreements are dealing in “ground floor” material?
What can we do to better dig around in “ground floor” material?
What is most difficult for you in teaching your ground floor material to your spouse and/or in learning about their ground floor?
Also remember:
We love hearing from you. Reach out on the socials @betweenparents on instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! Thanks for being awesome…
How can you be sure if your kids are ready for new responsibilities? Are there risks involved when you over or under nurture them? How do you give more freedom to your kids?
Tackling these questions (plus a few more!). Take a listen!
Talk about this:
What is your tendency – to over or under nurture your kids? In what ways do you need to pivot or correct?
How well do you balance between encouraging your kids to be independent versus demanding they need to hit an adult standard or quality?
In what ways can you leave more room for your kids to grow in their ability to be more independent?
Also remember:
We love hearing from you. Reach out on the socials @betweenparents on instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook. While you’re there, tag someone who would also enjoy this content! Thanks for being awesome…