Between Parents

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?

1. My mom and/or Dad were consistently ________.
2. I admired the way my family __________.
3. I appreciate how my parents intentionally taught me to _______. (Consider both hard and soft skills)
4. I wish my family had done more _________ (or done less)
5. When we disagreed with each other we usually _______.
6. I know I was loved because __________.

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

TED talk 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!