“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
~ Matthew 10:16

Is there any way to make parenting less stressful?
What can I do to make our life less chaotic?
How can our family be a little more sane & connected?

Let's face it - parenting in the 21st century is not for the faint of heart. In episode 76 of This Whole Life, Kenna and Pat dive into their top 10 parenting hacks, offering real-life tips for bringing sanity and sanctity to family life. From the “Team Millea" mentality that fosters solidarity to practical routines like weekly family meetings and consistent chore delegation, Kenna and Pat share what actually works for their family of nine. They also discuss navigating finances, the art of doing tomorrow’s prep today, embracing their village, and the power of letting go of comparison. Whether you have one child or many, this episode is packed with hope, encouragement, and actionable tools to help you parent with intention in today’s chaotic world.

Episode 76 Show Notes

Chapters:

0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
7:56: Parenting hacks & why we don't identify our kids
10:49: Hack #1: The "Team Millea" Mentality
14:44: Hack #2: Weekly Family Meetings
18:39: Hack #3: Chores for Everyone!
24:48: Hack #4: One-on-One Time
28:55: Hack #5: Do your "tomorrow self" a favor today
32:53: Hack #6: It takes a village
34:57: Hack #7: Get clever about finances
41:08: Hack #8: Being shrewd about food
44:10: Hack #9: Double (or triple/quadruple) dip on activites
46:16: Hack #10: If it doesn't work for you, *Let it go!*
49:27: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
2. What are the things that cause stress, chaos, disagreements, and anxiety in your family?
3. What is one of these "hacks"/suggestions that might help your family function with more joy and peace?
4. What is your vision for parenting & family life?
5. How are your day to day efforts moving toward that vision? How are they moving you away from that vision?

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.