Rydel's Van Talk

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about family traditions, motherhood, and some of the big decisions that come with raising kids! 🚐💛First up, we recently started having the kids ASK for what they want instead of constantly whining, “I want! I need!” and how those little everyday habits can make such a difference.We also talk about the importance of weekly family traditions and why we LOVE our Sunday sports gatherings! 🏈 There’s just something about everyone coming together, cheering on their teams, and having a reason to spend time as a family every single week. We especially love how sports bring all the boys together!Then we’re getting into some interesting mom conversations, including navigating jealousy from other moms, what it’s like having a husband who works from home while you’re a stay-at-home mom, and why making a good old-fashioned pros and cons list can help when you’re figuring out what works best for your family.And of course, we’re answering a BIG question: How do you know when you’re done having kids?! Is there ever a moment when you just know your family is complete?Finally, we’re talking about why it’s so important to know who’s in your kids’ ears. The people surrounding your children can have a huge influence on their confidence.

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re asking a big question: which generation has had it hardest when it comes to raising kids, especially now that technology, social media, and the internet are part of everyday life?

We talk about why we want to be a “living room family,” spending time together in the same space instead of everyone disappearing into separate rooms and separate screens. That means phones away at the dinner table, family meals filled with actual conversation, and intentionally creating opportunities to connect.

We also share why we LOVE being activity moms. Dance, cheer, hockey, parkour, swimming, diving, riding bikes… bring it on. 😂 We believe giving kids opportunities to try lots of different things, learn new skills, and discover what they love can help build confidence along the way.

And activities don’t have to cost a fortune. We talk about finding the free things happening around you, from libraries and community programs to churches and Mommy & Me activities, and surrounding your family with people who share the values that matter to you.

Most importantly, we talk about making home a safe place for your kids. No teasing them, degrading them, or making them the punchline of the joke. We want our kids to know that home is where they can completely be themselves and that the people closest to them are always in their corner.

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about that feeling every mom knows: you clean one room, turn around, and somehow the rest of the house has exploded. 😂We share how we try to stay on top of the never-ending housework, why we teach kids to “pick up their trails” as they move through the house, and how little habits can keep the mess from becoming completely overwhelming.And we HAVE to talk about our phones. Doom scrolling can quietly eat up so much of the day, and sometimes the reason we feel like we don’t have enough time isn’t actually a lack of time… it’s the tiny screen in our hand stealing 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there. 📱👀We also get into the older-kid years and how to encourage teens to care about their appearance and basic hygiene, from showering and shaving to smelling good and learning how to present themselves, without making appearance their entire identity.And finally… Stormie and Rydel had their FIRST FIGHT?! 😂 Except calling it a “fight” might be extremely generous. We talk about why we almost never fight, what happened this time, and why the whole thing was basically over before it started.

This week on Van Talk, we’re going all the way back to the very beginning of R5. 🎸Before the tours, the albums, the screaming crowds, and the R5 Family, there were a bunch of kids learning instruments, practicing constantly, writing our first songs, and playing anywhere we could.We’re telling the story of our very first band, how each of us started playing our instruments, our earliest practices and shows, the first songs we wrote, and some of the funniest memories from those first few years.We also tell the story of Rocky having to practice guitar for an hour before he could play video games… until eventually he loved playing guitar so much that the video games basically disappeared. 😂But more than anything, this episode is about the part of the story people didn’t see. We practiced and worked at this EVERY DAY for years before anything big happened.This is essentially R5: Chapter One. Where it started, what those early years actually looked like, and all the little moments that eventually became something much bigger. 💛🎸

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about the never-ending to-do list that comes with motherhood… because somehow you can accomplish 15 things and still have 37 more waiting for you. 😂We share some of the little habits that help us actually get things DONE, including why you should NOT open your phone when you’re trying to be productive, the “touch it once” rule for keeping the house under control, and why that task you’ve been avoiding for three weeks might only take you ten minutes once you finally do it.We also get into the emotional side of motherhood. How do you move through sadness, anger, or frustration when you still have little people counting on you? Sometimes talking it out helps, and sometimes you just need to get outside, move your body, and walk it off.And finally, we’re talking about comparison. Every family has different work schedules, different responsibilities, different support systems, and different seasons of life. What works perfectly for someone else might make absolutely no sense for your family.Figure out what works for YOU and stop looking sideways. 🚐💛

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re recapping Stormie’s 60th birthday in VEGAS! 🎰🥂 From celebrating a huge milestone to bringing the kids along for the adventure, we’re talking about what Vegas with kids actually looks like in our family.We also share some of our favorite hosting tips, plus two very special little guests make a surprise cameo in the van. 😂Then we get into the “terrible twos”… because why do we call them terrible?! Every age has its hard moments, but every age also has SO much to love. According to Stormie, everyone should just permanently have a three-year-old in their life. 😂

In this episode of Van Talk we get into co-parenting, step-parents, and what it means to have a true village of families and neighbors you can actually trust. Stormie shares what it was like raising us with amazing next-door neighbors and the kind of community where everyone looked out for each other’s kids.Then things get a little wild… literally. 😂 We’re talking house pets, backyard “pets,” Rydel’s pet squirrel Buster, ants infiltrating the house, mosquitoes everywhere, and accidentally ending up on toll roads when you have absolutely no idea you’re on a toll road.And of course, we have to discuss the “man flu.” Why is being sick as a mom VERY different from the boys being sick?! 😂We wrap it up with a conversation every tired mom can relate to: how do you keep going when you genuinely feel like you have nothing left in the tank?A little parenting, a little nostalgia, a lot of chaos, and another week of figuring out life together in the van. 🚐💛

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re embracing the fact that what we said last week might be completely different from what we’re saying this week. 😂 Motherhood changes, seasons change, and sometimes you can go a month without caffeine… and sometimes you’re surviving on it.We talk about giving yourself grace, dressing for YOU, and why putting a little effort into feeling your best can change your whole day. Plus, apparently Stormie’s favorite place to shop is Rydel’s giveaway pile. 😂Then it’s full mom talk: our stroller opinions for families with multiple kids, what we’d actually put on a baby registry, and some restaurant fiascos we’ve collected along the way.We also talk about taking the pressure off the oldest child while still encouraging them to be a leader. Instead of, “Everyone is copying you because you’re the oldest,” we love flipping it into, “Heck yeah, you’re being such a great leader and example!” And when it comes to affection, kids never have to hug or kiss someone just because an adult asks. A high five, a wave, or a happy goodbye works too.

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re starting with some very important business: driving pet peeves, backseat drivers, and our attempts at simply living our best passenger-princess lives. 😂🚗Then we get into the mindset that helps us move through life without dwelling on everything that goes wrong. From starting the day with affirmations or a guided journal to asking yourself a surprisingly important question, “Am I fun to be around?”We talk about how traveling the world taught us patience and how to go with the flow, because when you travel enough, you learn that something WILL eventually go wrong. It’s how you respond that changes the experience.We also dive into the words we use with our kids and why we don’t want to accidentally teach them to see themselves as victims. Instead of “Poor you, you’re not in the band anymore,” what if it’s, “Heck yeah dude, you’re the manager now! You’re killing it!” Same situation, completely different story.And finally, we look back at the transition from being a “normal” family to suddenly being recognized everywhere, and why the goal was always to be successful, never to be famous.

In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about something that matters at every age: trust.Kids remember EVERYTHING, which is why keeping your word matters so much. We talk about not making empty promises to kids, holding the people around them accountable too, and teaching kids to listen to their own bodies and recognize when something doesn’t make them feel good.We also get into homeschooling, what it’s like raising kids close in age, and some of the choices we make as our families grow.Then we take a major trip down memory lane! We’re answering questions about our favorite R5 and The Driver Era songs, spilling some Austin & Ally lore, reminiscing about tour life, and talking about the R5 Family and what made that era so special.A little parenting, a LOT of nostalgia, and plenty of stories from the road. 🚐🎸