Both parents and children undergo a profound transition when children leave the home. As a child heads out for college or for a mission or for a job, he or she is still part of the family, but no longer a part of the household. How that transition is made, and how much thought goes into it will have a lasting effect on family relationships and on how close and committed the family is for decades to come. On today's show, the Eyres talk about how parenting changes but does not diminish in importance as kids leave home. Having a plan for that transition--deliberately thinking through how you will communicate and find the balance between independence and interdependence can make your relationship grow stronger rather than weakening when you no longer live together. Richard and Linda review dozens of questions that parents ask about the empty nest phase, and then they share the Eyre families "Constitution" that they put together with their leaving-the-nest kids in which they came to some agreements for their ongoing social, emotional, financial, and spiritual relationships for the future.

Both parents and children undergo a profound transition when children leave the home. As a child heads out for college or for a mission or for a job, he or she is still part of the family, but no longer a part of the household. How that transition is made, and how much thought goes into it will have a lasting effect on family relationships and on how close and committed the family is for decades to come. On today's show, the Eyres talk about how parenting changes but does not diminish in importance as kids leave home. Having a plan for that transition--deliberately thinking through how you will communicate and find the balance between independence and interdependence can make your relationship grow stronger rather than weakening when you no longer live together. Richard and Linda review dozens of questions that parents ask about the empty nest phase, and then they share the Eyre families "Constitution" that they put together with their leaving-the-nest kids in which they came to some agreements for their ongoing social, emotional, financial, and spiritual relationships for the future.

On the first page of Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy says "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The Eyres' interpretation of that statement is that there are certain elements present in all mostly happy and functional families, and even though every family is unique; all families that seem to work and to last somehow manage to develop each of these critical elements. Commitment, communication, purpose, priorities, rules, responsibility, traditions, heritage and roots, and the teaching of values and correct principles. Some years ago, in their book The Happy Family, Richard and Linda discussed these common elements at length. On today's show, they challenge listeners to "Use this Pandemic-given extra time at home with kids as an INTERMISSION in which we evaluate our families and decide what we will do better and differently during the upcoming second act of our lives."

On the first page of Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy says "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The Eyres' interpretation of that statement is that there are certain elements present in all mostly happy and functional families, and even though every family is unique; all families that seem to work and to last somehow manage to develop each of these critical elements. Commitment, communication, purpose, priorities, rules, responsibility, traditions, heritage and roots, and the teaching of values and correct principles. Some years ago, in their book The Happy Family, Richard and Linda discussed these common elements at length. On today's show, they challenge listeners to "Use this Pandemic-given extra time at home with kids as an INTERMISSION in which we evaluate our families and decide what we will do better and differently during the upcoming second act of our lives."

In this time of crisis, uncertainty, and pandemic, The Eyres suggest that one of the things that helps most is to TAKE THE LONG VIEW OF THINGS! Yes, this is awful on many levels, but along with the silver linings we have mentioned on past shows, there is an opportunity to pull back and try to see the bigger picture. Quoting Shakespeare and Wordsworth, Richard and Linda point out that "sweet are the uses of adversity" and that "our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting." Seeing things bigger always makes what is happening at the moment seem smaller. Many people of faith believe not only in a eternal afterlife, but in an equally eternal pre-mortal life. On today's show, the Eyres talk about this "forever backward" and how it can help us to put the here and now in perspective.

In this time of crisis, uncertainty, and pandemic, The Eyres suggest that one of the things that helps most is to TAKE THE LONG VIEW OF THINGS! Yes, this is awful on many levels, but along with the silver linings we have mentioned on past shows, there is an opportunity to pull back and try to see the bigger picture. Quoting Shakespeare and Wordsworth, Richard and Linda point out that "sweet are the uses of adversity" and that "our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting." Seeing things bigger always makes what is happening at the moment seem smaller. Many people of faith believe not only in a eternal afterlife, but in an equally eternal pre-mortal life. On today's show, the Eyres talk about this "forever backward" and how it can help us to put the here and now in perspective.

Just returning from the marriage of their granddaughter which Richard performed on a red rock plateau above the Colorado River, the Eyres were in a reflective mood for today's show and pondering some of the blessings and tender mercies that can come out of this tragic pandemic. Participating in a world-wide fast and prayer, Richard and Linda discuss the silver lining of how many families are re-structuring their priorities and deliberately renewing their commitments to spouse and children and extended family during this time of crisis and loss. The forces of darkness say "fear and panic, close everything down, economic turmoil." But the forces of light say "unite neighborhoods, have family dinner, slow down and appreciate, teach our children, improve relationships." They also discuss their instagram post for this Easter weekend about the healing power of Christ.

Just returning from the marriage of their granddaughter which Richard performed on a red rock plateau above the Colorado River, the Eyres were in a reflective mood for today's show and pondering some of the blessings and tender mercies that can come out of this tragic pandemic. Participating in a world-wide fast and prayer, Richard and Linda discuss the silver lining of how many families are re-structuring their priorities and deliberately renewing their commitments to spouse and children and extended family during this time of crisis and loss. The forces of darkness say "fear and panic, close everything down, economic turmoil." But the forces of light say "unite neighborhoods, have family dinner, slow down and appreciate, teach our children, improve relationships." They also discuss their instagram post for this Easter weekend about the healing power of Christ.

During this time of isolation and quarantine, while many of us have more time with our children than ever before the Eyres have a challenge: Use a little of this "extra time" to have some very important and special individual talks with our children about sex and intimacy. On today's show, Richard and Linda give us an actual, proven dialogue that has been used by tens of thousands of parents to give their children a positive yet protective view of sex.  They suggest several preliminary discussions leading up to "the big talk" which ideally happens when a child turns eight. (but with variations for use when kids are a bit older.) Parents who have "the talk" will find that it opens a level of trust between them and their children that make ALL subjects easier and that opens up a higher form of parent-child communication.

During this time of isolation and quarantine, while many of us have more time with our children than ever before the Eyres have a challenge: Use a little of this "extra time" to have some very important and special individual talks with our children about sex and intimacy. On today's show, Richard and Linda give us an actual, proven dialogue that has been used by tens of thousands of parents to give their children a positive yet protective view of sex.  They suggest several preliminary discussions leading up to "the big talk" which ideally happens when a child turns eight. (but with variations for use when kids are a bit older.) Parents who have "the talk" will find that it opens a level of trust between them and their children that make ALL subjects easier and that opens up a higher form of parent-child communication.