**Content warning: this podcast discusses mental health issues, including suicide.**

Whether you’re dealing with tantrums or teen anxiety, you won’t want to miss this honest, down-to-earth conversation with Josh and Rachel Keller (Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) as they dive deep into the topic of building resilience in children. As therapists and educators, they share practical wisdom on why kids aren’t naturally resilient and need to learn this essential life skill.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

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Josh and Rachel are a married duo from Central Minnesota. They believe that teenagers are a wonder to behold, not a problem to be fixed. They have been married for 15 years, with three kids, one dog, a bunny, and a bird. After becoming CF Certified Parent Coaches, they launched The Freedom Center MN, a mental health practice in Willmar, MN.

Whether you’re just learning the Four Messages of the Framework or have been at it for years, the Parenting Reminders Bundle can help you parent the way you want to parent!

You won’t want to miss parent coaches Chad Hayenga and Katie Johnson exploring the meaningful practice of blessing your kids. They unpack what “blessing” meant throughout the Bible and what your heart needs to receive so that you can bless your children. And, of course, they offer plenty of ideas about when and how you can start practicing blessing your kids today.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Become a Connected Families Donor today, and link arms with others who are passionate about building relational and spiritual health in every family and the future body of Christ.

Take a moment to rate the podcast and help other parents discover the Connected Families Framework.

Katie Johnson is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach living in Madison, WI, with her family. After receiving her M.Ed. from Valparaiso University, she worked for many years in education and is now on the homeschool journey with her three young children. Find out more about Katie and parent coaching here.

It’s parenting made clear with biblical wisdom to better equip you to lead your family with grace.

It’s parenting made clear with biblical wisdom to better equip you to lead your family with grace.

Does your child get discouraged? Does it feel like your child’s misbehavior seems to drown out the positive things you might notice? There is science behind the power of affirmation. You can learn to shine a bright spot on the small things that go well and begin to unravel this cycle of discouragement in your child. And it will bring encouragement to you as a parent, too! In today’s podcast, Lynne Jackson (Co-Founder of Connected Families) shares a powerful and practical tool she created called the ABC’s of Affirmation.

How have you used the ABC’s of Affirmation with your kids? We’d love to hear your stories! And don’t forget to check out our website for more great resources! Need more encouragement or help? Please contact us; we are here for you!

Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents to encourage and bring hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into the brain science and research to better equip parents and caregivers. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy.

Learn to approach motherhood with grace and truth. Take the Grace & Truth for Moms small group course.

In this episode, Connected Families staff discuss the scriptures and spiritual practices that have helped them stay connected to God in the past year. They also share their vision for the coming year and their commitment to providing “bite-sized” encouragement to overwhelmed parents. Listen in for a few simple ideas on staying centered on your Good Shepherd as you lead your family with grace.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.

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It’s parenting made clear with biblical wisdom to better equip you to lead your family with grace.

It’s parenting made clear with biblical wisdom to better equip you to lead your family with grace.

In this episode on calming for kids, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) talk with Stacy about what role parents play in helping their kids calm down. This conversation especially has sensitive or intense kids in mind, and the principles shared are paired with practical examples and stories from parents who’ve tested the ideas. Plus, we’ve got a free PDF for you: 50 Calming Activities (with ideas for engaging each of the senses).

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.

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Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder.

The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos.

In this podcast we chat with Danika Delello, who shares how desperate she was for help when dealing with her strong-willed child’s frequent, lengthy tantrums. She talks about switching her parenting mindset from an obedience-focused approach to one based on connection and grace through the Connected Families Framework. Danika relates how this shift allowed her to be present in a loving, affectionate way during her child’s difficult meltdowns and gave her insight into her own relation to God. We know you’ll relate to and feel encouraged by this mom’s journey to joy and connection.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

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Danika Delello and her husband Jared live in central Virginia, where she homeschools their three children. They love hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, playing board games, and reading copious amounts of books. They always seek to become more like Jesus and be a family that exemplifies him to others.

Small connections create lasting love and trust. Your gift supports Christ-centered connection and transformation in families for generations to come.

If you imagine your most recent parenting fail, do you cringe or just laugh? Do you wallow in shame or regret? Today, we’re talking with Dijea Young about moving beyond regret into hope. She shares experiences as a mom to 8, grandmother, and Certified Connected Families Parent Coach and explains helpful strategies for transforming regrets into opportunities, particularly during the holidays.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

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Dijea Young is a teacher, mother of eight, and grandma. For over 35 years, she has served children and families in a variety of roles. Now as a Certified Parent Coach, she combines her professional training and personal experience to help parents and grandparents nurture relationships across generations. For more information about Dijea or her services, visit www.Room4HopeCoaching.com or email [email protected]

Small connections create lasting love and trust. Your gift supports Christ-centered connection and transformation in families for generations to come.

In today’s episode, Connected Families Co-Founder Jim Jackson interviews Stephen Freeman, a father of five, who shares how Connected Families impacted his parenting approach. Through coaching and practical tools, Stephen learned to see challenging behaviors differently and developed a deeper understanding of both parenting and God as Father.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Stephen Freeman has been married to his wife Caroline for 13 years, and they have 3 biological kids and 2 bonus kids spanning from 15 to 1. They live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have been helped by the Connected Families framework for the last 5 years. Stephen is the founder of Kairos Digital, a marketing agency that helps good organizations do great things, and is a deacon and teacher at Awaken Church.

Small connections create lasting love and trust. Your gift supports Christ-centered connection and transformation in families for generations to come.

If you’re not satisfied with what your parenting looks like today, maybe becoming a better mom or dad is more about reframing what you already do than finding new tips and tricks that “work” with your kids. In this episode, Connected Families Co-founders Jim and Lynne Jackson discuss the powerful practice of transforming discouraging mental “tapes” into grace-filled, constructive thoughts aligned with biblical truth. The Jacksons share practical examples of common negative thoughts like “This is just too much!” or “I shouldn’t have to deal with this!” and offer redemptive reframes that lead to greater connection with your kids and make room for God’s transforming work in your family.

Check out the Connected Families website for more resources to support your parenting!

Become a Connected Families Donor today, and link arms with others who are passionate about building relational and spiritual health in every family and the future body of Christ.

Take a moment to rate the podcast and help other parents discover the Connected Families Framework.

Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002.

Small connections create lasting love and trust. Your gift supports Christ-centered connection and transformation in families for generations to come.

Wondering how you can set holiday boundaries and expectations for family gatherings? Are you looking forward to celebrating Christmas with family but dreading unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? You are not alone. Changes in your daily routines, travel, lack of sleep, and large gatherings set the stage for parenting challenges. Sometimes, other adults in your family may scrutinize these difficult situations. This may lead to comments or questions that don’t feel supportive.

On today’s podcast, Chad Hayenga (Director of Education & Equipping) and Jenna Williams (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about navigating the holidays with relatives. They specifically address how you can respond when grandparents or other family members criticize you (or your children). Role-playing possible scenarios, Jenna and Chad bring humor and practical wisdom to you just in time for holiday gatherings.

We hope you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth!

Jenna Williams and her husband, Sam, have been married for ten years. They live in Colorado Springs, CO, and have three amazing children ages 3-7. Jenna is a registered nurse by trade and works in a postpartum unit. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and loves caring for and supporting families! Connected Families has been a true blessing for her and her family, and she is excited to share that blessing with others. You can find her on Instagram @jennawilliams0411.

Small connections create lasting love and trust. Your gift supports Christ-centered connection and transformation in families for generations to come.