Between Parents

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!

1. What has been the toughest season for you as a couple?
2. What is a piece of advice for couples married 5 to 10 years?
3. What is the "secret sauce" for a good marriage? (Don't give me a marriage book answer.)
4. You talk about community alot - but what do you do when you aren't part of a church? Or when your spouse doesn't want to "connect with others?
5. What do you think most newlyweds erroneously assume?

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!

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!

1. What do you say to a discouraged parent?
2. What is something new you've learned?
3. Where do you learn?
4. Which is harder… the toddler years or the teenage years?
5. How are you most "weird" as a family?

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!