Christmas and the end of the year round up is such a stressful time for many families, but it can be a time of magic for children and adults alike. This week we discuss the magic and the crazy of Christmas and how important family time is at the end of the year. We discuss how we have brought both of our family Christmas traditions together and created our own traditions with the four kids. Merry Christmas to all, thanks for following along with us on our crazy journey, we’ll see you in the new year for more Embrace the Crazy!

Kristy asked this one question; it opened a discussion then led to her entrance into the business world with Dan. She often thinks it was a silly question to ask but she speaks about how joining the business has assisted with her growth and development to start thinking about life and seeing her passion with more clarity. Dan shares his passion for the business and how support from others has shaped his experience. They discuss the often-incorrect assumptions people make about their working together and leave us hints about what might be coming next.

Kristy speaks candidly about her journey through pregnancy and birth. She gives her unique yet positive experience and touches on the power that she felt through her birthing journey.  If this episode has brought up any trauma or other feelings for you please reach out for support Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Panda 1300 726 306

Kristy and Dan speak frankly about the choices they made to move to beautiful Canberra, the emotional, social, and financial reasons behind the move. They expand on what lead them to the suburb where they now live, the importance of a collaborative discussion and how their choices align with their family values. Dan’s insight on rental/mortgage pressures is powerful and they discuss how they manage with this day to day and over the life of their mortgage. They also discuss the constant struggle of improving your house and how perfection is not the answer for their family. A show home is not what they want, but they openly talk about how important that sense of a welcoming home is in their life.

Kristy and Dan talk about the dangerous trap of overscheduling. Dan continues to want to do more, with no time making commitments that just can’t be delivered. This edition follows the challenges Kristy and Dan have on not overscheduling, becoming aware of when it is happening and strategies to schedule appropriately. From asking for help to saying no, Kristy and Dan discuss how they try to get the balance of life right and what they do to keep checking, managing and monitoring it.

The insta holiday vs reality. You know when you have seen your friends or family post these happy smiling photos of a holiday and you think… that’s not exactly how our holidays go. Kristy and Dan share their experiences of holidays with a big family. The ups and downs of spending time and being with each other. They also reflect on their holiday upbringings and how it shapes their values, thoughts and dreams on family holidays today.

Each of our children are so different but we easily catch ourselves trying to treat them and bring them up the same. We discuss our children’s differing personalities and needs and talk about what works well for us. The differences in interests, personalities, feelings and lists goes on. What we do to help get the balance and ensure that everyone has a voice in our family. That includes our dog and the role she plays in our family. It is a very important and soothing one!!

Coming to you from Rio in Brazil, Kristy and Dan talk about how they built up to being able to go on holiday a week without the kids and feel totally at home and comfortable with life. From the incredible support structures around them that they have fostered, to the small steps they have taken over many years, they share how being themselves, and focussing on themselves brings the best out in them and for their families. It is possible to still enjoy your life, have your own time and have a happy family.

Kristy shares a recent unique experience she had travelling overseas to visit her best friend. During that week away, Kristy was able to let go of her mother coat and be herself. It's been many years since Kristy experienced this feeling. It was a satisfying moment in life to recognise where we are as a family, how we are working together and how that person before kids is still alive and well. 

Kristy and Dan provide some insight into how the functions of their house work, the traditional and not so traditional ways that they make things work. From managing finances, doing jobs around the house and getting the kids involved so that they take responsibility and contribute to the running of the household. See how it has evolved overtime and the strategies they use to make sure the important things get done.