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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
As much as we try to address the assorted questions lobbed our way, sometimes we lag with the personal and/or bite-sized inquires. In today’s episode we are solving that problem with a handful of random, but hopefully helpful, questions you guys ask. Take a listen and, by all means, keep asking!
Related Links:
Episode # 8 – Is this really just a stage?
Episode # 2 - A Warning About Parent Measurement
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!
You’re going to be a grandparent. Congratulations! This should be easy, like Parenting 2.0, right?
Not so fast. In this episode Billy and Joy discuss the tension filled moments between expectant parents and grandparents. They have compiled a list of best practices and ways to avoid the most common relationship pitfalls.
Talk about this:
Grandparents – process the topics discussed on the podcast that you haven’t reviewed already. Remember to get clarity about delivery and home visits and ask about their strategies.
Parents – make sure your have clarity on your hopes for the delivery and homecoming process and be ready to answer the question “how can I help?”
Related Links:
Defining your family story – podcast 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 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…
Have you ever felt like your kids aren’t grateful for what they have or what they experience? Do you ever feel like they live with a distasteful attitude of demandingness? Perhaps you see this tendency in yourself?
In this episode Billy and Joy discuss the benefits of having an attitude of gratitude and some practical ways to build the habit of thankfulness in your family.
Talk about this:
How well do I (personally) communicate gratitude? and how well is our family overall at cultivating attitudes of gratitude?
Where are your family "pinch points?" What parts of our family environment need to look different and what habits do we need to cultivate?
Related-ish Links
Episode #17 – Creating a Plan For Money & Allowance With Your Kids
Do guys or girls make better sound effects? Check out the video HERE