Connected Families Podcast

Do you have a child in the middle years, or are those years just a few steps away? (Keep in mind, puberty can begin as early as nine years old!) The middle years can be a tumultuous time for a child. Their body makes significant changes, and so does their brain! So, what does a child need from their parents during this season, and how do parents guide a child who seems to suddenly have lots of new attitudes and opinions?  In today’s episode, Cynthia Tobias (co-author of Middle School: The Inside Story) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss parenting through the middle years. Cynthia brings her professional and personal experiences to offer practical tools for speaking to, guiding, and supporting a child in the middle years with grace and connection. In this podcast, you’ll discover: the middle schooler’s biggest fear…and how to help them how to change your parenting to adapt to your child’s changing needs ways to shift responsibility and decision-making to the child while still offering accountability and a safety net why it’s okay and important to let a child fail how to encourage and connect with the heart of your middle schooler We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Middle School: The Inside Story by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuna Do You Know What I Like About You? YouTube Video by Cynthia Cynthia’s Facebook page Cynthia’s website – free PDF about middle school Donate to Connected Families CF Facebook CF Instagram Guest Bio: Cynthia Tobias has a successful background that includes over 30 years of private practice, eight years of teaching high school, and six years in law enforcement. She has authored 13 books and is a featured guest on radio and television, a popular presenter for businesses, government agencies, churches, and schools throughout the U.S. and the world. Cynthia received her B.A. at Northwest Nazarene University, her Master’s Degree at Seattle Pacific University, and an Honorary Doctorate from Northwest Nazarene University in 2015. She is the mother of twin sons, now adults, and she and her husband, Jack, live in the Seattle area. Learn more about Cynthia by visiting her website, www.cynthiatobias.com. Learn more about the Framework Want to dig deeper into Connected Families’ Parenting Framework? Get our FREE ebook, What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build Identity. Related Posts5 Powerful Ways to Connect with a Teen Who LiesWhat Do Kids Really Need From Us? | Ep. 95What To Do When You Think Your Child Is Doomed

What if underneath your child’s misbehavior was a good gift? Sound too good to be true? It’s not! Connected Families teaches this idea as a “Gift Gone Awry.” This gift may not always come out in a helpful way, but it could be shaped and guided to be a blessing to others. In this podcast, Connected Families Co-Founder Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about the amazing gifts that might be hidden in your child’s misbehavior. In this podcast, you’ll discover: how your thoughts about your child can become their identity the biblical basis for seeing gifts in misbehavior, including references examples of how to find a gift gone awry and coach a child to be a blessing ways to bring your child’s struggle before God and shift your perspective that focus is fertilizer–what you pay attention to grows! We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: John 14:26-27 Ephesians 2:10 Mark 8:32 Luke 16 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 Hebrews 11:1 Acts 20 Weekly Parenting Tips Email…link to share with a friend Nurture Shock book Donate to Connected Families CF Facebook CF Instagram connectedfamilies.org Guest Bio: Lynne Jackson​ has over 25 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with sensory processing disorder, ADHD (including her own kids!), OCD, ODD, and autism spectrum disorders. As a speaker, certified life coach, podcaster, and author, Lynne has helped thousands of parents learn to be peaceful, purposeful, and confident. In 2002, she and her husband, Jim, founded Connected Families, a ministry that helps parents learn to embody God’s grace in the midst of family life. Lydia Rex is a registered nurse turned TBRI practitioner and parent coach to families with young kids, especially those who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. No stranger to challenges in the parenting journey, Lydia offers empathy, encouragement, and a deep commitment to walking alongside parents with the Connected Families framework. It’s her joy to see God’s grace healing the hearts of parents and children. Lydia, her husband Kyle, and their two kids live in Iowa, where they enjoy homeschooling, outdoor activities, and reading lots of books. Learn more about the Framework Want to dig deeper into Connected Families’ Parenting Framework? Get our FREE ebook, What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build Identity. Related PostsIs Your Child Intense and Impulsive?Want To Know Your Child’s Strengths?What to Do When Your Child Has a Hard Time Losing

In some Christian traditions, it can feel like Easter sneaks up on you. It can even seem like the holiday doesn’t get the same attention and preparation as Christmas, but it is actually the most important day on the Christian calendar. So, how can you help your family prepare and truly celebrate Christ’s resurrection this year? In today’s podcast, Laurie Christine (author and podcast host at Redeeming the Chaos) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about discipleship at home and, more specifically, preparing for Easter. Laurie shares her favorite resources and ideas to create engaging discipleship opportunities with your kids and talks about her free Easter resource for families. In this podcast, you’ll discover: what the Bible says about discipling your children ideas to overcome challenges you may encounter when you try to connect with God as a family practical ways to make family discipleship engaging for your kids ways to change your approach to family times as your children get older the powerful message of Easter and ways you can share that with your children a FREE resource to help your family connect and prepare for Easter (also available in the audiobook version) We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course – Register Now! 30 Family Bible Stories for Easter by Laurie Christine Judges 2:10 Psalm 78:4 Nancy Gutherie books The Very Best Hands On Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions by Tim Shoemaker Hands-on family activities for different age groups by Kirk Weaver 1 Corinthians 15:17 Philippians 2:13 Laurie’s podcast: Redeeming the Chaos Laurie’s favorite resources for family devotions and bible study How to make family devotions more engaging for your kids Guest Bio: Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, Certified Biblical Parenting Coach, wife, and mom of four wild, loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her in the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ. Laurie also writes devotionals and Bible stories for middle-grade boys. As a mom of four young boys, she understands how important it is for parents to connect with their children while communicating the truth of God’s Word to them in a way they can understand. With degrees in Creative Writing, Biblical Studies, and Education, Laurie has more than fourteen years of experience in teaching the Bible to young children as well as writing the Sunday School curriculum for her local church. Laurie also serves as the administrator for the Christian Writers Institute and the producer for the Christian Publishing Show and Novel Marketing Podcasts. You can find her at: www.LaurieChristine.com. Do you have a child with EXTRA needs? Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder. The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos. LEARN MORE Related PostsFour Simple Ways to Teach Your Child About GodThe Most Effective Way To Teach Kids To PrayUPDATED: How To Pray With Your Child | Ep. 113

Are you trying to understand your child’s frequent frustration or angry eruptions? Do you find yourself turning to the internet to ask, “Why is my son so angry with me?” or “Why is my daughter so angry all the time?” The truth is, there is usually more going under the surface of anger. Likely, that anger is protecting some softer emotions, such as feeling anxious, alone, or discouraged, to name a few. You can have compassion and come alongside them with loving support when you seek to understand what is really going on. But how do you get started? In this podcast, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder and Occupational Therapist) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and RN) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about anger and anxiety in children. Drawing on their experience supporting families, Lynne and Lydia share how you can look beneath your child’s anger to get out of a stress cycle and into a healing pattern. In this podcast you’ll discover: underlying stress factors that influence angry behavior the relationship between anger and anxiety when to use an “I wonder if…” question to help build emotional intelligence and understanding how you can move to compassion and connection when your child erupts in anger trauma’s role in anger, including its effects on a child’s developing brain and nervous system activities to do with your child to grow their emotional awareness and build skills to unpack what’s going on under the surface We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course – Register Today! Paper plate activity Iceberg illustration for older kids Proverbs 29:11: Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Guest Bio: Lynne Jackson​ has over 25 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with sensory processing disorder, ADHD (including her own kids!), OCD, ODD, and autism spectrum disorders. As a speaker, certified life coach, podcaster, and author, Lynne has helped thousands of parents learn to be peaceful, purposeful, and confident. In 2002, she and her husband, Jim, founded Connected Families, a ministry that helps parents learn to embody God’s grace in the midst of family life. Lydia Rex is a registered nurse turned TBRI practitioner and parent coach to families with young kids, especially those who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. No stranger to challenges in the parenting journey, Lydia offers empathy, encouragement, and a deep commitment to walking alongside parents with the Connected Families Framework. It’s her joy to see God’s grace healing the hearts of parents and children. Lydia, her husband Kyle, and their two kids live in Iowa, where they enjoy homeschooling, outdoor activities, and reading lots of books. Do you have a child with EXTRA needs? Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder. The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos. LEARN MORE Related PostsI Resent My ChildWhy Punching a Pillow When Angry Doesn’t Really Help Your ChildWhy Safety Is Crucial for Adoptive FamiliesYou Really Want To Show Loving Discipline? Start With Your Face.

If your child is sensitive or intense, you might ask, “Is it worth getting a diagnosis?” or “Will the information from a diagnosis help or hinder my child and our family?” You may fear that a diagnosis will label your child in a negative way, or you may feel overwhelmed about what happens after a diagnosis. In today’s episode, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) continue a conversation about diagnoses with Mandy Cuda, MD. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it worth getting an ADHD diagnosis for my child?” or “Is it worth getting an autism spectrum diagnosis?” this podcast is for you. Mandy and Lynne share the insights and support that can come from a diagnosis and discuss the next steps for parents. In this podcast, you’ll learn: to consider your own feelings after a child’s diagnosis–everything from grief to gratitude how to talk with your child about a diagnosis at any age questions you can ask your child to gain insight into their experience and how you can better support them when the phrase “Tell me more” can open up opportunities with your child and their care providers how to build a support system for yourself and your child the importance of the brain-body connection and when to ask, “What might be aggravating this child’s system?” how to navigate a conversation about medication with your child’s doctor We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids: Navigating Challenge With Purpose and Hope: Registration is open! Ep 122: How To Know If Your Child Needs A Diagnosis or Extra Support Two Powerful Strategies to Help Your Highly Sensitive Child Thrive (includes sensory checklist) Sensory Checklist/Questionnaire James 1:2-4 (verse about trials bringing us to maturity) Ecclesiastes 4:12 Child Advocacy page by Taylor Irby Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Guest Bio: Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Cuda is a family physician and Connected Families Parent Coach-in-training. She lives in Washington with her husband, a military pediatric urologist, and four amazing kids. Her connection with Connected Families began more than 20 years ago when, as a new Wheaton college grad, she worked with Jim and Chad in Minnesota. She went on to earn her MD from the Uniformed Services University and an MPH from the University of Washington. She served in the military for most of her healthcare career but has also served in community primary care and virtual care delivery. Do you have a child with EXTRA needs? Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder. The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos. LEARN MORE Related Posts4 Ideas to Build a Growth Mindset as a FamilyAdvocating for Your Sensitive or Neurodiverse Child | Ep. 123Empowering Your Differently Wired Child | Ep. 124Morning Sensory Dysregulation

Do you have a child who is wired differently? You’ve probably felt frustrated or discouraged at times about how to support your child through daily routines or going to school. It may be challenging to know what your child needs and offer that at the right time.   In today’s podcast, Katie Wetsell and Corrie Thetford (Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about empowering your uniquely and wonderfully wired child.     In this podcast, you’ll discover: How to evaluate what’s going on in your heart about your child. Do you need to “fix” your child? Or better understand your child?  The opportunity therapy presents for you to learn with your child and as well as keep the momentum from therapy going at home Ideas for supporting your child in a learning environment at school or home and how to help your child discover and accept what they need to be successful Ways to talk about and celebrate differences in your family How one 13-year-old has felt supported and empowered by his parents We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course – Register Now! Treasure Tree: Helping Kids Understand Their Personality by John Trent John 9:1-3 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Guest Bio: Corrie Thetford and her husband Alan have four children and are Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches as well as instructors for CF coaches-in-training. They are passionate about multiplying the gospel by helping families transform power struggles and conflicts into opportunities for gospel messages.   Katie Wetsell is our online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their family with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org. Rylan Wetsell is Katie’s 13-year-old, bright, witty son who is overcoming the challenges associated with being differently wired to grow in wisdom and courage. He is an advocate, with his mom, for himself and others affected by stuttering, Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and learning disabilities. Do you have a child with BIG feelings and BIG needs? The Sensitive & Intense Kids online course is a game changer. It’s for YOU. LEARN MORE Related PostsA Simple Way to Teach Kids PerseveranceAdvocating for Your Sensitive or Neurodiverse Child | Ep. 123Daily Sensory Rhythms To Bring Peace to Your Home | Ep 112How To Know If Your Child Needs a Diagnosis or Extra Support | Ep. 122

Maybe you’ve received a message from your child’s teacher about his behavior at school, or you want to set your child up for a good experience as she begins a new activity. Communicating with teachers, coaches, and other adults about how to support your sensitive or neurodiverse child may feel difficult to navigate, but thankfully other parents have also walked that journey and have some practical wisdom to share.     In today’s podcast, Marni Love (former public school teacher, home educator, and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) and Taylor Irby (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share their experiences about advocating for a sensitive child.  Taylor and Marni offer practical ideas to empower you so your child can receive the support they need in any environment.    In this podcast, you’ll discover: that a diagnosis can unlock the doors to help you understand and advocate for your neurodiverse child how to flip the script of negative complaints from teachers and other adults to positive feedback ways to support your child in making and keeping friends how you can be firm and kind with other adults in order to help your child thrive (and keep your sanity!) how to create an advocacy sheet about your child for teachers (downloadable link) where to get a medical diagnosis and how that impacts an IEP/504 plan at school steps that can help you and your spouse get on the same page how to gather a professional team and personal support for the journey with your child We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Last week’s podcast: How To Know If Your Child Needs a Diagnosis or Extra Support | Episode 122 Advocacy page by Taylor Irby Sensitive & Intense online course – Register now!  Connected Families Parent Coaching ABC’s of Affirmation Focus is Fertilizer Guest Bios:  Marni Love is a former public school teacher and has been a home educator for the past 13 years.  She is a Homeschool Mentor and Certified Connected Families Parent Coach.  Marni enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and their three sons in the beautiful mountains and beaches of Northern California.  You can connect with her through her website: marnilove.com Taylor Irby is a mother to 5 kids, and she understands the struggles parents face. Every day she faces ADHD, autism, anxiety, developmental delays, and adoption trauma. She, too, has sat in the midst of challenges and searched the world for answers. Taylor read book after book and got excited over methods that were short-lived. That is when she hit the wall of desperation and sought parent coaching through Connected Families. Taylor ultimately became a coach through their training program to help others like her. She has seen transformation in her home through working with a framework that not only has changed her children’s behavior but their hearts as well. You are not alone on this parenting journey. There is hope, and you can enjoy your children, build that relationship you have wanted and see behavior change. You can learn more about Taylor at taylorirbycoaching.com, and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/taylor.irby.5 and Instagram @taylorirbycoaching Does your child need help calming down? Would a free course presenting you 7 sensory strategies to calm your child be useful? If yes, take our FREE online course 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids. TELL ME MORE Related PostsHow To Know If Your Child Needs a Diagnosis or Extra Support | Ep. 122Is Your Child Exhausted and Cranky After School?Morning Sensory Dysregulation

Have you ever wondered, “What’s going on with my child? Is this ‘normal’ behavior, or is there something more going on?”  If you’ve asked these questions, you may be wondering if it’s worth seeking a diagnosis for your struggling child.  All children go through more challenging developmental seasons, but some children are wired differently altogether, also known as neurodiverse. These kids often benefit from the understanding and support of professionals.   In today’s episode, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) are joined by Mandy Cuda, MD. Listen in on a profound conversation to help parents navigate the choice to seek a diagnosis or support for a child who is struggling.   Through this conversation, you’ll learn: to reflect on your motivations for seeking a diagnosis how to know when to seek help and what to do if/when it is time how you can include your child in the process of seeking support and normalizing differences the power of your curiosity and observations over time to guide you that you know your child best that your child may have incredible potential masked in the struggle the importance of prioritizing sleep, activity, and nutrition to help find your child’s baseline current information about genetic and environmental impacts on neurodiversity about the complexity of overlapping diagnoses in neurodivergent people We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Submit your own Welcome for the CF podcast Psalm 139 Isaiah 40:25-31 Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Share the Connected Families Podcast with a friend 7 Calming Strategies free online course Guest Bio:  Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Cuda is a family physician and Connected Families Parent Coach-in-training. She lives in Washington with her husband, a military pediatric urologist, and four amazing kids. Her connection with Connected Families began more than 20 years ago when, as a new Wheaton college grad, she worked with Jim and Chad in Minnesota. She went on to earn her MD from the Uniformed Services University and an MPH from the University of Washington. She served in the military for most of her healthcare career but has also served in community primary care and virtual care delivery. Does your child need help calming down? Would a free course presenting you 7 sensory strategies to calm your child be useful? If yes, take our FREE online course 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids. TELL ME MORE Related Posts3 Unexpected Parenting Strategies to Help Your Highly Sensitive Child ThriveMorning Sensory DysregulationMy Child Freaks Out Easily | Ep. 106

If you’re reading this, you probably hope to bring more connection, grace, and unconditional love into your parenting this year. And maybe you’re wondering how you can get your whole family on the same page. The Connected Families Framework can help you become the parent you want to be, and teaching the principles to your kids might be simpler than you expect.     On today’s podcast, Jim and Lynne Jackson (co-founders of Connected Families) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss ways parents can model and teach each principle of the Framework: Foundation, Connect, Coach, Correct. This podcast includes a downloadable, 5-session mini curriculum developed by Jim and Lynne to help teach the Framework to children in interactive and hands-on ways.   Get your FREE Family Activity Guide This 5-session activity guide will help you introduce your kids to the Connected Families Framework in a fun and inviting way! In this podcast, you’ll discover: practical ways to model each area of the Framework for your children how talking out loud about the whys of your parenting can serve as a powerful teacher to your children (and a source of accountability for you!)  ideas for strengthening the connection between your children and supporting their reconnection after conflict ways you can engage with scripture as a family and help your children learn to listen for what God may be teaching them how you can guide your family to value reconciliation in all relationships We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Teaching Kids the Framework PDF – 5-session mini curriculum  Connected Families Framework Podcast Episode 113: How to Pray With Your Child Ephesians 2:10 NIV and ESV CF Certified Parent Coaching Program Sensitive & Intense Kids online course (coming soon!) Affiliate Program Learn more about the Framework Want to dig deeper into Connected Families’ Parenting Framework? Get our FREE ebook, What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build Identity. Related PostsConsequences vs Punishment: What’s the Difference?Introduce Your Kids to the Connected Families FrameworkUnconditional Love: 15 Reasons to Show Love-No-Matter-What to Your Kids

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash The Connected Families Podcast continues to encourage and equip parents all over the world. Did you know we recently exceeded 1 million listens? THANK YOU! As we head into another year of podcasting, we thought it would be fun to share our most listened-to podcast of 2022. If you have already enjoyed our top podcast, we are including links to the next four most popular podcasts of 2022. It’s time to pop in your headphones, grab a few baskets of laundry to fold or take the dog for a long walk. What podcast most encouraged you in 2022? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you! Our Top Podcast of 2022 Ep. 101: Does Attachment Style Matter? Your relationship with your child might feel “off,” but you’re not sure why. Could it be that the way you were parented impacts the way you parent? Your attachment style affects all your most important relationships – from spouse to children to close friends. So, what is “attachment style” anyway? And does attachment style really matter? On this episode, we welcome guests Milan and Kay Yerkovich, the authors of How We Love. Together we discuss how we bring the attachment style from our parents to our own relationships, especially to our kids.  Four more amazing podcasts from 2022 Ep. 100: Ending the Shame Cycle Are you hard on yourself as a parent? As a person? It’s so easy to get caught up in what feels like failure to us. We want so much to be good parents! Though it’s unintentional, we can project our own feelings of shame onto our kids. Then we feel even worse. Shame can be so destructive to us and to our relationships. What does ending the shame cycle look like? If you have ever felt stuck in this kind of a cycle, please listen to this podcast. In this milestone podcast (our 100th episode!) we talk about a prevalent and powerful concept that has resounded with our Connected Families community for nearly 20 years: Moving forward from shame to the freedom of living in God’s grace and truth. Ep. 102: How To Be a More Playful Parent Sometimes parenting can feel like one big list of things you have to get done. It can be so hard to switch gears from the many demands of being a parent to having a joyful and playful time with your children! Yet research shows that playfulness brings connection and communicates in a language that helps kids learn! This podcast, with guest Joy Wendling, has great ideas to help you: calm your child’s brain and yours, provide opportunities to teach skills, enable problem-solving capability, reach kids who are struggling, and communicate to your child, “I enjoy you!” Ep. 103: Should Dads Demand Respect? When our “respect buttons” get pushed, it’s tempting to grasp for control and command obedience. But in doing so, we might find ourselves sacrificing connection and true, heartfelt respect with our kids. You want to build connection and respect. So what can you do? How can you respond? This podcast is a heartfelt conversation about respect. When we engage with our kids in humility and curiosity instead of control, we model what respect looks like and safely earn their respect and trust. Treating our children with respect helps us diffuse a tense situation and paves the way for connection, conversation, and understanding. Ep 111: Coaching Kids to “Make It Right” Do you sometimes struggle to think of an appropriate consequence for your child’s misbehavior?  Or dole out punishment only to have your child refuse to accept the punishment? Sigh.  Offering consistent and effective discipline can feel like an ongoing and overwhelming challenge. Listen in as the conversation on this podcast explores the messages we send through discipline and how to coach children to be responsible for their actions. Share your contact info and we’ll send an email each week we release a new podcast.