Between Parents

Have you ever considered how your fellow family members describe your family? Have you ever asked them what they think about when they think about each other? If you've ever told a classic family story (e.g., the time the car died, or the dog was lost) chances are you noticed how different the narrative is from one person to the next. In fact, for stories we don't say out loud the narratives can vary even more wildly – and sometimes not in the best way. In today's podcast we discuss how those stories can shape our family life and what to do if they go negative.

Related Links:

Episode # 147 - How Storytelling Impacts a Kid's Happiness

Episode # 99 - Asking kids better questions

Episode #86 - 60 Conversation Starters For Family Meal time

Episode #115 - Making family meals worthwhile

Episode #131 - Question Grab Bag

Talk about this:

Are you aware of each other's narratives? Where are they the same? How do they differ?

What are some specific steps you can take to uncover the narratives of your kids?

How can you build habits into your family that bring out the best narratives?

Also remember:

Sharing is caring!! If you've enjoyed this episode please share! You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts. This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

OR cut/paste a link from our website betweenparentspodcast.com (this is also where you can find helpful packages of back episodes!)

Want to reach us? You can find us on the socials @betweenparents on Instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook.

Thanks for being awesome!

Chances are your kids know your flaws better than you do. Of course, they can't (or won't) put the most helpful words around those flaws, so we thought we'd give you a way into some insights. In fact, this episode gives you a dozen questions to think about, wrestle with, and squirm through as you own your flaws! Take a listen if you dare!!

Talk about this:

I AM MORE LIKELY TO...

1. OVER schedule my family or AVOID planning and making family commitments
2. DISENGAGE or BE A "QUESTION gun" to my kids at the end of the day
3. PUSH kids out of their comfort zones or PROTECT my kids when they are uncomfortable.
4. BE WALKED ON or BULL DOZE OVER my kids when they have different opinions or push back?
5. MANIPULATE or BE MANIPULATED BY my family?
6. STUFF my anger or EXPLODE when mad?
7. BE TOO CONTROLLING or TOO DISENGAGED in addressing my kid's negative behavior?
8. HELICOPTER or be UNINTERESTED / DISTANCED in my kid's school?
9. TALK too much or SAY too little?

I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT ...

1. My kids being afraid of me OR not respecting me?
2. Not knowing what my kids are doing OR being overly-involved in their lives?
3. Being inflexible OR being unreliable?

Also remember:

Sharing is caring!! If you've enjoyed this episode please share! You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts. This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

OR cut/paste a link from our website betweenparentspodcast.com (this is also where you can find helpful packages of back episodes!)

Want to reach us? You can find us on the socials @betweenparents on Instagram and @betweenparentspodcast on Facebook.

Thanks for being awesome!

Sometimes little things make a big difference – especially in marriage. In this week's episode we kick around three ideas that can make all the difference in keeping your marriage strong (and fun!)

Talk about this:

Ask your spouse for a ranking on how they think you are doing AS A COUPLE when it comes to 1) Embracing consistency 2) Having strategic habits 3) Having fun.

Which areas do you need to work on? Make a plan!

Related Links:

How to fold a fitted sheet – HERE

James Clear: Atomic Habits – HERE

Episode #38 – Keystone Habits

Episode #48 – Is Criticism Killing Your Marriage?

Also remember:

Have you left a review on Apple Podcasts? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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 out some lingering questions! In this episode we'll discuss how to not squash your kids with a disciplinarian approach, what to do if you aren't having regular date nights, and finding the middle ground when it comes to keeping your house tidy.

Talk about this:

We've jumped around today so pick one of these areas to discuss with your spouse:

Your disciplinarian approach - does it need work?

Your date nights - does it need structure?

Your housekeeping challenges - does it need flexibility and improvement?

Also remember:

Have you left a review on Apple Podcasts? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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 have a child who is wired so differently than you that you find yourself thinking, "Who IS this child of mine?" Do you ever wonder how to navigate those differences in a healthy way? If so, then you'll find today's podcast particularly helpful! Take a listen or pass along to anyone who might relate!

Talk about this:

Kick around the idea of differences with your spouse and compare notes on the differences each of you see between you as parents and your kids (you'll likely identify different pieces!)

How likely are you to argue over Preferences rather than Principles?

What can you do to make sure you're valuing Relationship over Being Right?

Related Links:

Episode #60 – What To Do When Your Spouse Annoys - HERE

Episode #107 – Understanding Personality Types - HERE

Episode #128 - When You Don't Understand Your Spouse - HERE

Also remember:

Have you left a review on Apple Podcasts? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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!

Inevitably every parent faces moments of discouragement. But when these moments come, what's the best way through the challenge? How do you find the support and wisdom you need to thrive? Check out today's discussion on Between Parents!

Talk about this:

Where are you in relation to the hurricane wall?

What can you do to establish community now? (where can you offer support?)

Identify a handful of people you would like to connect with who could offer wise counsel. Seek them out and get some time on the calendar!

Also remember:

Have you left a review on Apple Podcasts? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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!

Marriages are complicated, subject to falling into ruts and disrepair. Discouragement is a natural byproduct when this happens. So how do we battle this trap? How do we find hope when challenges arise? Today's podcast has a handful of helpful ideas to get you on track.

Talk about this:

Since this week's content is super action-focused, review the five starting points:

Recognizing seasons Checking your habits Finding brightspots Leaning into community Serving others

Consider the next thing you can do to move to a more encouraging time? Talk about it - if not with your spouse, then with whomever would encourage you to follow thru - then DO something!

Related links:

People who sort of look like Adam Sandler but aren't Adam Sandler Facebook Group HERE

Episode #136 Keystone Habits HERE

Also remember:

Have you left a review on iTunes? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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 many details kids forget about their childhood? Developmentally kids haveto forget old things so they can learn new things. But what happens to all of those happy memories? Well, that's where parents come in. Today's podcast is about the little known job parents have to be the "keepers of happiness."

Talk about this:

As you go away this week, we'd love to challenge you to do two things:

• Decide on one or two ways you can collect stories and
• Have at least one "story time" this week

Related links:

Gretchen Rubin's podcast goodness HERE

A terrific article on family story telling HERE

Also remember:

Have you left a review on iTunes? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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 feel like you need to talk about every aspect of the future with your spouse? What if your speculative conversations do more harm than good? Have you considered waiting to see how life unfolds first? Join us for a conversation where we kick around the idea of holding your tongue.

Talk about this:

Is "over-processing" something you are likely to do?

Do you ever feel like you either tune out your spouse OR feel like you're being tuned-out by your spouse?

Discuss what YOU think are "major" and "minor" things you have talked through in the past and whether it's been "likely" and/or helpful.

Also remember:

Have you left a review on iTunes? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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 considered how easy it is to find flaws in other people and how challenging it is to see our own faults? Even though this bias is natural, it's not very helpful in a marriage. Today's discussion breaks apart this phenomenon and challenges us to dig a little deeper into our individual issues. Fun, right? Listen in if you dare!

Talk about this:

The biggest flaw I bring in the marriage is _______

What words feel safe for my spouse to use around this flaw?

In what way does my spouse's behavior make sense?

How well do I empathize with their struggles?

What can I do to extend grace to them?

Also remember:

Have you left a review on iTunes? This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

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!