In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, we’re wrapping up summer with the most essential parenting topic: leading your kids to Jesus. Whether your children are toddlers or teens, creating a family culture where God conversations happen naturally is one of the most powerful tools you have. 

Don and Suzanne walk through how to talk about faith with kids at different stages: Littles (ages 0–6), Middles (elementary age), and Bigs (middle and high school). They emphasize that helping your children follow Jesus isn’t about doing more—it’s about being intentional with the everyday moments. From thanking God for the sunshine to sharing how you handle frustration at work, your children learn what a real relationship with Jesus looks like by watching you live it. 

They also offer practical encouragement for parents who feel unsure, are new in their faith, or have kids pushing away from God. Real stories, relatable struggles, and timeless truth make this episode a must-listen. 

🎧 Listen now + grab our $3.99 Deep Dives to keep the conversation going!

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In this summer-focused episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne unpack one of the biggest tensions in parenting: control. Should parents stay in charge, or is it time to pass the baton to the kids? 

You'll discover why summer is the perfect season to transition from parent control to self-control, helping your children develop responsibility, confidence, and real-world readiness. From laundry to technology boundaries to mealtime training, the Mannings offer real-life examples and practical steps to give kids “jurisdiction” over parts of their lives—without giving up your values or sanity. 

The episode dives into the difference between self-discipline and self-indulgence, showing how giving your child responsibility actually creates peace at home. Plus, you’ll learn how lack of self-control invites chaos, while wise training builds strong family foundations. 

Whether your child is 3 or 13, this conversation will equip you to rethink your approach, create growth opportunities, and enjoy a more connected, freedom-filled summer. Bonus: It all ties back to Proverbs 25:28 and the vital role of self-control. 

🎧 Listen now and grab the $3.99 Deep Dive into Summer for more actionable steps!

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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we dive into one of our favorite summer themes: raising leaders under your roof. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, summer offers the perfect opportunity to build leadership skills in a low-pressure, high-relationship environment. 

We explore what leadership looks like in everyday moments—from assigning simple responsibilities around the house to encouraging kids to take initiative, manage conflict, and serve others well. You’ll learn: 

We also talk about speaking leadership identity over your kids and giving them a vision for who they can become. 

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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we unpack how to teach your kids to fight well, using biblical principles and practical tools. You’ll learn: 

This is a must-listen for every parent navigating sibling chaos. 
🎧 Plus: Check out our new Deep Dive: Teaching Kids to Fight (Well) for even more help!

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Welcome to our Summer Series! In this episode, Don and Suzanne talk about how to intentionally plan your family’s summer so it’s filled with peace, purpose, and connection—not just chaos. 

They introduce the powerful idea of “washing the school year off” your kids—helping them reset emotionally, mentally, and spiritually from the demands and structure of school life. 

Topics covered include:

You only get one Summer 2025—let’s make it one to remember. 

🎧 Listen in and learn how to create a family culture this summer that builds joy, purpose, and connection. 

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Madeline Jones (formerly Manning) is back—this time with special guest and fellow summer-lover Sarah Paul—to share how families can make the most of summer through simple rhythms, intentional connection, and memory-making moments. From mission trips to popsicle-fueled pool days, this episode is packed with encouragement, real-life stories, and practical ways to transform summer into a season of spiritual rest, family bonding, and God-centered fun. Whether you're a teacher with time off or a parent juggling work and kids, this episode will inspire you to slow down, show up, and savor the fleeting days of summer.

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Do you ever wish your kids would just share the toy... without a battle? 

In our latest podcast episode, we dive into one of the most powerful things we can teach our kids: how to be servant hearted. 

Inspired by Jesus washing His disciples' feet, we’re breaking down what it means to raise children who choose to serve others. And don’t worry—this isn’t just about chores or obedience. It’s about helping your child become more like Jesus in their everyday choices. 

As parents, we get to show our kids how to serve and build this God-given identity into them. In every season of parenting, we get to call this identity through our example and by giving them opportunities to serve the people within your family.  

🔹 Create teachable moments from real-life sibling spats

🔹 Use praise to reinforce kind, servant-hearted behavior

🔹 Design simple family routines that encourage putting others first

🔹 Avoid raising a doormat by modeling servant leadership 

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In this heartfelt episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne reflect on over three decades of parenting, ministry, and the launch of their brand-new resource, the Parenting Playbook. Whether you're in the thick of raising toddlers or navigating relationships with adult children, this conversation reminds you of a simple truth: family is worth it. 

Don and Suzanne get real about their early struggles in ministry, the tension of leading together as very different personalities, and the transformation God brought through years of learning, growing, and letting the Holy Spirit guide. They talk candidly about "parent guilt," the pressure to be perfect, and how connection—not control—is the key to lasting family impact. 

This episode is more than a recap—it's an invitation. An invitation to trade guilt for grace, to grow daily as a parent, and to believe that family is not just a duty but a divine opportunity. The Mannings share how God continues to inspire them to reach more families and why the Crazy Cool Family mission is now focused on equipping you with resources that make spiritual growth and relational depth easier, more practical, and more accessible than ever. 

This episode also celebrates the launch of the Crazy Cool Family Parenting Playbook — a weekly and daily guide to help parents grow in grace and connection. It's full of encouragement, practical tools, and faith-filled wisdom for every stage of parenting. If you havent already, subscribe today by clicking the link below. 

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In this heartfelt episode, each daughter shared how “mom guilt” has uniquely shown up in their motherhood journey. 

Macy opened up about her tendency to feel like she should be punished for both the things she does and doesn’t do as a mom. Mollie described mom guilt as a constant feeling of inadequacy, and McKenzie expressed her desire to be an excellent mom, friend, and follower of Jesus—yet often feeling she falls short in every area. 

Suz reflected on her decades of motherhood and how guilt can stem from moments when our responses fall short—when kids get hurt, when we regret decisions, or when peace is replaced by self-doubt. 

The conversation turned encouraging as the women shared what helps them shift out of guilt. Mollie talked about slowing down at bedtime and bringing more Scripture into family rhythms. Macy vulnerably shared how God met her in the guilt she felt during her first trimester sickness, redeeming those hard moments. Kenzie offered a beautiful mindset shift: instead of starting each day with “100%” and losing points, what if we start at “0” and see every moment with God as a win? 

They ended by reflecting on 2 Corinthians 12:9—how God's power is made perfect in weakness—and encouraged listeners to see guilt not as a barrier, but as a doorway into deeper relationship with God. 

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Next month, our seventh child, Cade, graduates — and with that, we officially wrap up over three decades of parenting. As we step into this next season of becoming almost-empty nesters, we’ve been reflecting on the journey that brought us here… and why Crazy Cool Family exists in the first place. 

In our early years, we (Don and Suzanne) felt like we had no idea how to "win" at parenting. Don reflected on how living with five women he had to learn how to lead with relationship, not just rules. Suz realized she often responded without grace — not because she didn’t want to do better, but because she didn’t know how. 

We both desperately wanted someone to hand us a playbook — something that told us the "right move" for each season. So we went looking. What we found is that while information is everywhere, wisdom is harder to find. 

That’s why Crazy Cool Family is different. We don't just give parenting tips — we give you the core concepts that make relationships strong and families thrive. We help you “learn how to play the game,” not just survive the day. 

in 2023, a trusted friend suggested we start sharing those core concepts daily — just little drips of encouragement and truth. That’s how Practical Parenting was born: our daily email is designed to help parents absorb these life-giving ideas over time. 

And now, we’re excited to introduce our next step: 
🎉 The Playbook — launching May 4th! 🎉 

Here’s what it is: 

We believe God is using this to equip parents everywhere — not just with answers, but with the insight and tools to build the family they've always dreamed of. 

Because you don’t need to parent alone. And you definitely don’t need to guess. 

The Playbook is here. Let’s build Crazy Cool Families — together. 

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