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:
LINK:
BOOK: The Tech Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place.
by Andy Crouch
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:
LINK:
BOOK: Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager In A Digital Media World
by Dr. Kara Powell, Art Bamford, Brad M Griffin
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!
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!
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!
Are you stressed out when parents “brag” about their kids? Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up in the land of parents? You’re not alone and you’re not crazy. But what do you do to relieve the pressure when you feel like raising kids is a competition? Let’s chat about it!
Talk About This:
How often do I feel competitive with other parents? What are the triggers?
Is there anything I do that could make other parents feel like I am being competitive with them?
What specific person/family do I need to celebrate more?
Related Links:
Mindset by Carol Dweck
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!
If you’re newly pregnant or know someone who is today’s discussion is practical and encouraging! We kick around the question about whether you can “over share” and what it means to curate rather than collect advice. Take a listen (and congratulations!)
Talk About This:
Which of these 10 tips feels most challenging? Why?
How should we prioritize this advice?
Related Links:
#90 - What New Parents Wish Grandparents Knew
#25 - Ten Guiding Principles for Parents with Newborns
#54 - Toddler 101: Parenting Through the Early 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!
Do you love or hate Valentine’s Day? We are surprised how many people fall into the loathing camp! Perhaps it’s time to reframe this holiday and make it fun again. Today’s podcast gives you five ways to make that happen!
Talk About This:
Ask your spouse what they think their love language is...gifts/physical touch/words of affirmation/acts of service/quality time
Ask your spouse if they feel like Valentine's Day fills them up or drains them.
Talk about how you would MOST like to acknowledge the day (OR NOT) - remember - if it's a stressful thing, then you're not doing it right. We should ENJOY CELEBRATIONS ; ) - and that can mean simply letting them pass OR buying a box of chocolates.
Related Links:
The Five Love Languages By Gary Chapman HERE
Waffle House Valentine’s Day HERE
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!
Disagreements are part of every marriage, but do we have to fight? Or is it better to stuff our feelings in the name of keeping the peace? What if there’s a third option? That’s the discussion on this episode.
Talk About This:
Ask your spouse where THEY think you fall on the spectrum.
DO NOT DISAGREE - JUST LISTEN
In light of where you land, go through the three practice areas and decide what changes you need to make.
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!
Are you exhausted or discouraged? Perhaps a little bit of both? Today’s podcast is for you with five big picture, you-can-do-this, “at the end of the day” bits of encouragement. You’ve got this!
Talk About This:
What thought did I MOST need to hear?
HOW can I commit it to memory?
What other parent needs this encouragement? (pass it along!)
Related Links:
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl - HERE
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!
Have you ever been at a store or at a government agency and been completely frustrated with how poorly the place was run? If so, then you’ve come across this principle: A lack of organization leads to relational tension. This is true not only with service organizations - it’s true in our marriages. In this episode we’ll discuss how you can make your marriage better simply by improving some of your systems.
Talk About This:
What tensions do we regularly face that might be related to bad (or no) systems?
What can we do, organizationally, to improve?
What solutions do we need to research or use? (What do we need to learn to make this better?)
Related Links:
Episode # 40 - The One Piece of Data That Blew Our Minds
Date Night blog posts here, here, and here.
PLUS an @home date night idea HERE
Book review – The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
A Blog post about Creating Homes in the kitchen HERE
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!
Doesn’t every parent want his or her kid to become independent? While this seems like an obvious “yes,” many parents interrupt their children’s growth process by making life too easy for them. When we fall into the trap of removing hardships and shortening challenges we rob our kids of lessons they will need for life outside the home.
It’s a big topic and we hope today’s discussion challenges your thinking!
Talk About This:
What is my natural bent... to be too permissive or too restrictive on my kid’s push towards independence? What should I do in light of this?
What are some of the reasons I am reluctant to let m kids "do it themselves?"
What are some of the greatest steps to independence I could grant my kids in THIS season of their lives? What are some of their "stretch" activities?
Related Links:
The Coddling of the American Mind HERE
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!
How will your kids describe your family when they are grown? How will they characterize the high points and low points? For parents it helps to start journey with the end in mind. In this episode, we’ll review a few categories to consider and discuss as you start a new year!
Talk About This:
Imagine your kids as adults completing the following sentences. What would you like them to say?
Review with your spouse or community what you need to start doing and what do you need to stop doing to make sure you’re on the path to your desired outcome?
Related Links:
The Five Love Languages for Kids – HERE
7 Habits of Highly Effective People -HERE
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!
How is your pace around the holidays? Do you feel like you are absorbing the joys? Or does it all feel like it’s a blur? In this episode we cover four reminders that will help your family make the season more meaningful.
Talk About This:
Are we comfortable with our pace?
What are our favorite traditions? Are there some we need to ditch?
Related Link:
Episode #78 – The Best Way to Destress Your Family
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!
#115 – Making Family Meals Worthwhile
As great as sitting around the dinner table sounds, sometimes it’s challenging to pull off. We get it! We’ve been there. On today’s podcast we’ll discuss why and how we can prioritize mealtime together and the difference it makes in connecting as a family.
Next Steps:
Pull out the ol’ calendar and schedule your family meals together for the rest of your month
Related-ish Link:
We have RESEARCH!
National Health Institute Review HERE
Family Meals & Social Engagement Study HERE
Family Meals & Overall Health insight HERE
The Family Dinner Project Website HERE
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!
Do you know anyone who doesn’t worry about their children?? Neither do we!
But all of this fretting may not be good for our kids or for us. On today’s episode we talk about the risks of worry and steps we need to take to reduce our anxiety.
Next Steps:
Evaluate - how much time and energy do you spend worrying? Is it reflexive for you? Do you wear it as a badge of honor?
Because this may be hard to see in the mirror - and to verify your self-assessment and ask your spouse/friends to give you feedback on whether you are a worrier.
Finally - most of us could stand to worry less - to shift our mental energy to something more productive - think about AND ACT on how to express more confidence to your kid!
Related-ish Link:
Articles on the impact of worry on health HERE and HERE
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!
Every marriage has moments where love feels dry or inaccessible. The challenge is not to deny this season, but to be ready for it and to respond well once it arrives! But how do you make this practical? That’s the discussion on this episode!
Next Steps:
Today's follow up is to conduct a self-evaluation and action plan on the Three Healing Steps.
Consider:
Where to I need ACT differently toward my spouse?
Catalog what my spouse appreciates in terms of loving gestures.
Practice praising your spouse AND FINALLY - create a habit of focusing on what's good.
Related Links:
The shoe throwing insult per wikpedia - HERE
Episode #11 – The Awkward Date Night
Episode #70 – 5 Ground Rules for Marriage Communication
Episode #84 – Getting to the Bottom of Disagreements
Episode #88 – Practicing Vulnerability in Marriage
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!
Have you ever met an academically smart person who doesn't connect well with others? Or someone who frequently misses the emotions of those around them? A lack of Emotional Intelligence is often to blame. Fortunately, these skills can be learned and strengthened. The BEST time to improve your abilities is now, and the place is in a family setting.
Next Steps:
Process the idea of EI by taking a few steps:
First, conduct an honest self-evaluation and rank yourself on Emotional Intelligence - give yourself a # between 1-10 (don't pick 7!)
Next, ask someone you trust to give you feedback on what you do that would argue for both a HIGHER and a LOWER number
Finally, apply this idea to your family: - How do you think your family's specific personalities lend themselves to Emotional Intelligence?
How does your family do with presenting their emotions well... or with empathy for each other? - What are some of the opportunities to practice this and become better?
Related Links:
Episode #71 – Showing Emotion To Your Kids
Harvard Business Review - Emotional Intelligence 12 Elements
Feelings Inventory PDF
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg (Joy references this frequently!)
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!
Time to clear the mailbag! You guys have asked us about what to do when your kids are frustrated, how to work through “painful” shyness, and how an awkward date night might not go so well. Join us as we kick these topics around!
Next Steps:
Send us more questions! We loved this!
Related Links:
Episode #11 – The Awkward Date Night
Episode #22 – Forgiving Your Kids
Quiet by Susan Cain
Susan Cain illustrated here
Mocking font a la sPonGEbOb SqUaRePanTs generator here
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!
You’re engaged! Congratulations!! Let the fun begin!
A great thought! However, for many people who recently popped the question and said “yes,” the months before the wedding isn’t an easy season. Why is that? On today’s episode we’ll kick around what can make engagement season challenging and some practical ways to take off the pressure.
Talk about this:
Review the four stumbling blocks and discuss which one feels most threatening.
What steps do you need to take to minimize the threat and what should you do to make this season amazing?
Related Links:
Episode #72- Eight Things To Do Before You Get Married
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!
Does the pace of your family ever feel frantic? Do you feel like you run from thing to thing to thing? You’re not alone! On this episode we discuss what it means to adjust our pace and create strategies for releasing pressure in our family life.
Talk about this:
Do we have an unhealthy tempo?
What's preventing us from making adjustments?
NOW TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS!
Related Links:
Episode #38 – Keystone Habits of Healthy Families
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!
Life is messy – especially when it comes parenting. (Or perhaps your kids actually pick up there stuff!) If we aren’t careful, chaos can take over more than our household, it can impact our relationships. Like Episode #106, in today’s podcast Billy and Joy discuss what sloppy habits we need to purge in order to keep our family healthy!
Talk about this:
Where is there garbage in our parenting?
What steps do we need to take to get rid of it?
Related Links:
NY Times article on sleep HERE
Episode #106 – 12 Garbage Habits in Marriage
Joy’s blog posts on quick meals HERE and HERE
Episode # 78 – The Best Way to Destress Your Family
Episode # 33 – Enjoying Your Family
Episode # 10 – Keeping the Family Fun
Episode #31 - Erasing Fear From Parenting
Episode #99 – Asking Better Questions
Episode #30 – Five Important Questions to Ask Your Kids
Episode #3 – Fighting with Kids
Episode #85 – Respond vs React
Episode #57 – Hurrying Home
Episode #83 – Leave Kids Space to Grow
Episode #58 - A Parent’s Most Fundamental Role
Episode #98 – Five Truths For Discouraged Parents
Episode # 2 – A Warning About Parent Measurements
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!
We love personality tests not just because they help us grow individually, but because they can build empathy and understanding in our relationships. This is especially true in marriage. On this episode we’ll give you one example (ours!) of how a variety of tests provide a common language and improve our connection.
Talk about this:
How are you, as a couple, learning to leverage the knowledge of type and the common language found therein?
What are the tensions you are currently facing that might be more rooted in your personalities and types over what you currently think... that your spouse is simply doing this to bug you?
What's your next step to get to work?
Related Links:
Episode # 60 - What to do when spouses annoy
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!
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to trash a place? Without constant maintenance it feels like garbage would take over our lives. The same is true in our marriage – little habits and behaviors creep into our relationship that can eventually trash the connection with our spouse. In this episode Billy and Joy review the “Dirty Dozen” of marriage garbage and offer some ways to see if any of them are cluttering your relationship.
Talk about this:
Where is there garbage in our marriage?
What steps do I need to take to get rid of it?
How can I take ownership of the garbage I leave around?
Related Links:
Episode #104 - Coming to grips with your spouse’s imperfection
Episode #95 – Marriage is a team sport
Episode #11 – The Awkward Date Night
Episode #97 – Forgiveness in Marriage
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!
Wouldn’t you love to get logical, reasoned feedback from your kids? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if they expressed appreciation for your hard work, if they explained when they were hurt or frustrated or if they admitted that you were usually right? On today’s podcast we discuss things your kids won’t tell you, but are true nonetheless.
Talk about this:
What do you think your kids don't tell you?
What encouragement makes the biggest difference to you?
Are there any areas where you feel like you need to make changes?
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!