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!
Have you ever noticed your spouse is flawed? Of course this is a rhetorical question, but as couples say their vows, it’s easy to minimize those flaws. Don’t we all hope for a seamless compatibility to rule the day? But what do you do when as life progresses and the frustrations mount? How do you cope with the imperfections you always seem to notice in your spouse?
Talk about this:
This week we would love for you to sit with these steps - to think about the quality of your marriage and to examine where you might have tensions because you expect your spouse to be someone that they will never be. Then consider what steps you need to take to start the process of grieving and healing - and ultimately celebrating your spouse.
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!
Ready or not, your young children will soon become teenagers. For most of us, this means our parenting journey will feel like peddling a bike up a long, steep hill. If you want to be ready, you’ll build momentum for the teenage challenge during the elementary school years. In this podcast, we’ll discuss what that means with practical ideas and starting points!
Talk about this:
Spend time imaging what your kids will be like as teenagers.
Compare notes with your spouse or community.
Discuss where do we need to create more habits and routines with our kids? (Keep an eye toward building momentum!)
Related Links:
Episode #56 – Dreading The Thought Of Your Kids Growing Up
Episode #64 – Talking To Your Kids About Temptation
Episode #33 – Enjoying Your Family
Abundance Mindset – this is a term developed by Stephen Covey and explained in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. A summary is on Wikipedia article 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!
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!
What makes a couple ready for marriage? Is it the amount of time spent dating? Or is it based on shared experiences? Is a couple ready because they are generally “compatible” or because they have been great dance partners at weddings? Why is it important to be “ready” to be married anyway? All of that on this episode of Between Parents!
Talk about this:
As you think about your relationship and your “readiness” consider what areas need to be turned up and what areas need to be turned down.
TURN UP:
Love. Respect. Communication. Friendship.
TURN DOWN/REMOVE:
Expectations. Dark Corners. Unhealthy habits. Dependence on parents. Self-centric attitudes.
Related Links:
Episode # 55 – Can You Affair Proof Your Marriage?
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!
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!
So you think you’re marriage material? How do you know? Is there anything you can do in advance to make sure you’re ready to say, “I do” successfully? We think so! In today’s episode we discuss six key practices for getting ready for marriage even in the dating season.
Six Key Practices:
Practice Self-Awareness
Practice Healthy Conflict
Practice Other Awareness
Practice Serving
Practice Boundaries
Practice Intentional Community
Talk about this:
Where do I need the most practice?
What can I do to remember to practice?
And a BONUS QUESTION if someone passed this podcast along to you, in which of these categories did you feel under-prepared when you got married?
Related Links:
Ep #52 - How Family Of Origin Impacts Your Marriage
Ep #72 - Eight Things To Do Before You Get Married
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!
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!
Welcome to the triple digits everyone! Thanks for coming along on this journey with us. Today we’re doing a “highlight reel” featuring the themes of this podcast. If you’re new to this podcast (or passing it along), below are a few links to episodes that touch on these themes.
Enjoy!
Joy’s Themes
Episode sampling:
Best Way to Destress Your Family
Enjoying the Middle School Years
101 Fun Things to Do as a Family
Episode sampling:
Episode sampling:
Episode sampling:
Can You Affair-Proof Your Marriage
Parenting With A Positive Vision
Episode sampling:
Billy’s Themes
Episode sampling:
Discovering Your Default Operating Systems
Practicing Vulnerability In Marriage
Episode sampling:
Episode sampling:
Episode sampling:
Keystone Habits For Healthy Families
Episode sampling:
One Piece of Data That Blew Our Minds
A Parent's Most Fundamental Role
Please remember to share with others! Thanks for being here and listening along!
*but not in a parental advisory, creepy kind of way!
Have your kids ever clammed up when you ask them questions? Do you feel like it’s been ages since you’ve heard more than a one-word answer? Perhaps there’s a better way to chat with our kids.
In this episode we discuss five principles for starting great conversations.
1st PRINCIPLE: Question for interest - If it’s important to your kids, it should be important to you.
2nd PRINCIPLE: Question for stories – bring out the storyteller in your child
3rd PRINCIPLE: Question for the long view – anchoring your kid to family identity
4th PRINCIPLE: Question for insight - checking your child’s gauges
5th PRINCIPLE: Question for opinion – learning what your kid really thinks
Talk about this:
What are the most common questions you ask your kids? Do they reflect your values?
Which of the five principles do you need to incorporate into your repertoire?
How can you remember to ask better questions?
Related links:
Mike Birbiglia asks Obama for baby advice here
Episode #37 - Creating A Family Identity
Episode # 41 - 21 Conversation Starters For Families
Joy’s blog on asking effective questions 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!
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 put into a tailspin by a challenging day? What parent isn’t sometimes discouraged by the rigors of raising kids? Today’s episode has five nuggets of encouragement you need to keep in mind. Remember – you are doing a great work!!
Talk about this: If you're feeling discouraged, we want to encourage you to share what's going on with your spouse and others in your circle of influence.
Also share which truth was most encouraging to you.
Related links:
Episode #97 Asking for Forgiveness
Text for Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson
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!
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!
Has your spouse ever hurt you? Or have you ever done anything to hurt your spouse? No matter how great your marriage, there will be times where forgiveness is required. But even when you recognize this as true, the actual FORGIVING isn’t easy.
In this episode we discuss not only why you should forgive your spouse but some practical ways to build a habit of forgiveness.
Talk about this: This week we don't have questions for you so much as we want you to PRACTICE the last point of the podcast* which is to go to your spouse with anything YOU have done and ask for forgiveness - receive it well - then PRACTICE letting go!
(*Note – this might not make sense if you’re reading these notes before listening to the podcast, so go listen!)
Related links:
Benefits of forgiveness articles HERE and HERE (use google for a whole bunch more!)
Episode #60 – What To Do When Spouses Annoy
Episode #11 -The Awkward Date Night
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!
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!
School days are right around the corner, which often feels like a blessing, but can also feel like a curse. So how do you make the most of the school year? Today’s episode is a great place to start with eight reminders for every family with school-aged children!
Talk about this:
Which item on this list feels like a challenge for us?
What’s our plan for encouraging our child’s teacher?
Related Links: Episode #66 – Picking Schools For Your Kids
An additional article on enjoying school 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!
There are plenty of word pictures that work for describing a great relationship, but one of the most memorable ones we’ve ever heard is seeing marriage as a team sport. In this episode, Billy and Joy break down five ways treating your spouse like a teammate can be a game changer.
Talk about this:
How well do we function as a team?
What areas need our attention?
What do you feel are your unique talents and where would you like to see my support?
When do you feel like I celebrate you well? And where can I do better?
Related Links:
The Awkward Date Night - Episode #11
The Awkward Date Night Blog Post
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 wonder how your parenting ranks? Do you evaluate your mother/father “job performance” relative to others? Do you ever question how others are so pulled together while you struggle? These questions are easy to consider, but pull us off track of what matters. In this week’s podcast Billy and Joy review a couple of mental exercises and a few habit that will help kick the parent intimidation trap.
Talk about this:
Where do we have a limited mindset?
How easy is it for me to be vulnerable with others? Who are my “people?”
Who can I celebrate TODAY? Stop everything and shoot a text RIGHT NOW!
Where do I need to replace lies with truth?
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!
Today’s podcast is an exercise in vulnerability. We often say we are flawed and broken parents, but today we get specific! We hope you’ll relate as we discuss themes that creep up repeatedly in our family and inspire you to dig up your themes as well!
Talk about this:
Get out a pad of paper and write down your parenting flaws and/or themes.
How do those flaws impact your parenting?
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!
We had so much fun in Episode #91 going through your parenting questions, we decided to address some of the personal and/or bite sized inquires on marriage this week. We love hearing from you and hope our input on these questions is helpful!
Related Links:
Episode # 44 - Getting Unstuck From Marriage Ruts
Episode #51 – 21 Bits of Advice for Newlyweds
Episode #11 – The Awkward Date Night
Episode # 7 – Don’t Do Life Alone
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!