When someone hurts us—especially someone we love—there's a deep temptation to make them pay. To bring up past mistakes in future fights. To keep score. But that's not love—and it's definitely not forgiveness.

In this second episode of our Love in the Deep End series, Ryan and Laura Dobson talk about what it means to not punish your spouse or your kids for a lifetime. Drawing from their own story of surviving cancer, crisis, and real emotional pain, they explore how grace restores what punishment destroys.

You'll hear:

• Why "keeping score" is a fast track to disconnection

• The spiritual and emotional cost of dragging up the past

• Parenting in crisis—and why behavior isn't always the real issue

• How to reset a fight with "Can I try that again?"

• What Scripture says about how God forgives—and how we can follow His lead

This episode is for every parent, spouse, or friend who wants to stop recycling old pain and start building something stronger, even in the deep end.

Key Verse: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." – Psalm 103:12

"You can't prepare for something like this." That's what people say when the diagnosis comes, the pain hits, or the marriage feels like it's crumbling. But on REBEL Parenting, we don't believe that. In this raw and deeply personal episode, Ryan and Laura Dobson open up about surviving Laura's fourth cancer diagnosis, a life-threatening infection, and the hardest year of their lives—by choosing, over and over, to Go Again. Kicking off our new series, Love in the Deep End: Preparing for the Unpreparable, Ryan and Laura reveal how faith, honesty, and relentless love became their anchor when everything else was falling apart. They share how building a spiritual foundation—through daily time with God, Scripture, and community—prepared them for storms they never saw coming. With vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom, they discuss marriage, parenting, repentance, and the power of showing up for each other when life gets ugly. If you've ever wondered how to keep going when you're out of strength, this episode is for you.

📝 Show Notes

In This Episode:

• Why the phrase "you can't prepare for this" is a myth—and how to replace it with hope

• Laura's journey through a fourth cancer diagnosis, five surgeries, and a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection

• The power of Psalm 136: "His steadfast love endures forever"—and why it became their lifeline

• What it means to "go again" in marriage, especially when crisis leaves you both exhausted and raw

• Parenting with grace when your kids are unraveling too—and why your home should be a safe place for their emotions

• The role of vulnerability, repentance, and asking, "Can I try that again?" in building resilient relationships

• How Jesus is the reason they're still standing—and still in love

Key Quote: "Sometimes you're sick, and it's worse, and it's poor. But I made a promise. And that means I'll go again—until the day I die."

Scripture Highlight: Psalm 136 — "His steadfast love endures forever." (Repeated 27 times, a reminder that God always goes again.)

Takeaway: You can't stop the pain, but you can build a foundation strong enough to carry you through it. Go again—one day, one prayer, one act of love at a time.

Listen now and join the conversation about faith, family, and the courage to go again—even when life is at its hardest.

In this video, Ryan Dobson discusses the importance of deescalation as a crucial skill for navigating conflicts with children. He provides strategies for staying calm, using positive language, listening actively, validating feelings, offering options, and taking breaks to help defuse tensions and find resolutions. This video encourages parents to work on their deescalation skills in order to improve communication and strengthen relationships with their children.

In this video, Ryan Dobson discusses the importance of looking for context when trying to understand and build relationships with our children. By asking open-ended questions, validating their feelings, looking for patterns in their behavior, and seeking out additional resources, we can gain a deeper understanding of our children's actions and support them in developing healthy coping strategies. This video encourages parents to take the time to consider the context surrounding their children's behavior in order to show them love and support.

In this special edition of REBEL Parenting, Ryan is joined in the studio by his 10-year-old daughter, Luci, to discuss the new Wingfeather Saga animated series. Ryan also interviews the author, Andrew Peterson, and illustrator Chris Wall on set at the red carpet,  premier in Nashville, TN.

In this video, we're going to discuss Rebel Parents: how they model good behavior & why other parents should follow their lead. Rebel parents are those who buck the norm and try to do things their own way. They're not afraid to speak their minds and they often set an example for other parents to follow. In this video, we're going to discuss why they're a force to be reckoned with and how you can learn from their example.

In this video, I'm sharing 8 reasons why it is more important to listen to your child than to talk to them.

Listening is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Not only does it help build a strong relationship with your child, but it also helps them to develop communication skills. By listening to your child, you can help them to feel understood and secure in their relationships.

So whether you're trying to solve a problem or just have a conversation, make sure to listen carefully! It may just be the best thing you can do for your child! In this video, I'm sharing 8 reasons why it is more important to listen to your child than to talk to them.

Listening is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Not only does it help build a strong relationship with your child, but it also helps them to develop communication skills. By listening to your child, you can help them to feel understood and secure in their relationships.

So whether you're trying to solve a problem or just have a conversation, make sure to listen carefully! It may just be the best thing you can do for your child!

In this short video, I'm explaining why Rebel Parents value their spouse's input. This is an important message to share because it shows that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is help available. We all face unique challenges as parents, and it's important to have support and advice from those closest to us. That's why Rebel Parents value their spouse's input so much! As a married couple, we understand the importance of communication and collaboration, and we're here to help you through whatever Challenges you face as a parent. Thank you for watching!

Hi Everyone, I'm Ryan Dobson, and this is REBEL Parenting FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.

Thank you to you, our supporters, and our sponsors, CovenantEyes.com lose the porn, improve your life. Code REBEL = free month, and new sponsor Gabb Wireless @ gabbwireless.com This is the smart watch I use with Luci. We love it. It's the world's safest smart watch & phone! Head to GabbWireless.com use code REBEL for a free smart phone &/or a free smart watch.

Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."

When my children were young I was so ashamed of my parenting. It was such a dark place to be. Can you imagine how different my relationship with my kids is now that I see parenting as a reward! I want you to see parenting as a reward too, and one thing that helps me be a better parent, is REBEL Parents know, get to be good parents, they don't have to be good parents.

Saturday, March 14 I got a call informing me that my contract job was being canceled due to the lockdown… It was 6 months before I got steady work again, and let me tell you since that time, I've never "HAD" to go to work again. I GET to go to work!! WOO!

So, how do you show this to your kids? Start by truly appreciating the time you have with your kids. I was at a friend's house Saturday night watching the UFC fights. Lincoln came with me and was planning on spending the night with his friend. I left around 11:30pm. An hour later I got a text from Lincoln asking if I was "still up?" I knew what was coming. He wanted to be picked up. Now, I didn't have to pick him up. He planned to spend the night, I was ready for bed, and it was 12 degrees out. Who wants to go out in that? ME! Of course I picked up my son at nearly 1:00 o-clock in the morning. Because, as soon as he gets his driver's license, I'll never get to do this again.

The time slips by so quickly. Try not to wast it. Go tell your kids how much you love them and how much you love being their parent.

Thank you for supporting REBEL Parenting, you can donate online at REBELParenting.org click the donate tab. Also TY to GABBwireless.com use code REBEL for a free smart phone &/or a free smart watch. And, CovenantEyes.com lose the porn, improve your life.

God Bless, have a great week. We believe in you, and so does God.

I keep seeing books on "How to Discipline Your Children Better," and it's driving me crazy! This is a prime example of "trying to get the LAW to do what only GRACE can accomplish." Let's all learn how to LOVE each other better! You'll need far less discipline when you have the fruit of the Spirit!

Thanks to CovenantEyes.com (code REBEL)