

Connected Families Podcast
Connected Families
A Christ-centered parenting community that is grace-filled, science-based, and trauma-informed. Welcome!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2020 • 23min
Guiding Kids to Right Their Wrongs | Ep. 26
When your kids misbehave, and you need to discipline them, have you considered what they are learning? Are they learning to submit to angry power? Or, perhaps, are they learning how to get better at hiding their misbehavior and sin? Guiding kids to right their wrongs is no easy task.
Most families have one child that demands more of our parenting energy. Is that child hearing an unspoken (or spoken!) message that he/she is a “problem child”?
Listen in as Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, dive into the “Correct” level of our framework – teaching the message, “You are responsible for your actions.” With plenty of practical applications and helpful stories from other parents, this podcast is packed with ideas for guiding kids to right their wrongs. These ideas will equip you to lead your family with grace as you guide your children towards reconciliation skills they will utilize for a lifetime.
In this podcast you’ll:
be given creative alternatives to yelling, time-outs, and punishment, while still holding your children accountable.explore how guiding our children to reconcile in a healthy way when they are younger can have a positive impact on their relationships both now and in the future. learn a value system for correcting your child that does not just focus on correcting behavior.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Galatians 6:1
Galatians 6:7
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode and others can find us more easily!
We are excited to offer a Connected Families Framework magnet to you for only $5! (This price even includes shipping and handling!) It can help remind you of all you are learning through the podcasts. Order one for your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car, or wherever you might need a quick reminder as you seek to lead your family with grace. (Live outside the United States? You can print a copy of the framework here.)
Related PostsAvoiding Power Struggles Is Simpler Than You ThinkDiscipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart | Ep. 15Teaching Kids to Be Responsible for Their Actions | Ep. 14This Is Better Than My Old Consequences for a Disrespectful ChildWhat Is the Goal of Your Discipline?

Mar 25, 2020 • 22min
Mentoring Our Kids in Skills, Wisdom and Faith | Ep. 25
What skills would you like your kids to have when they go out into the world? Should you drop what you’re doing to bring them something they forgot? How can you prepare your kids for conflicts they will certainly encounter in their relationships, family, and work environments later in life? What does it look like to mentor our kids?
Listen in as Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, explore what it means to have a vision for your family and give practical ideas for ways to mentor your kids in skills, wisdom, and faith.
In this podcast you’ll learn:
parenting skills that build emotional intelligence.how thoughtful questions and natural impacts can build wisdom. ideas to model faith and humility so we nurture our kids’ faith in God’s grace and mercy.
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode and others can find us more easily!
We are excited to offer a Connected Families Framework magnet to you for only $5! (This price even includes shipping and handling!) It can help remind you of all you are learning through the podcasts. Order one for your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car, or wherever you might need a quick reminder as you seek to lead your family with grace. (Live outside the United States? You can print a copy of the framework here.)
Related Posts5 Ways to T.E.A.C.H. Your Kids ValuesAre You Tired of Having to Nag Your Kids? | Ep. 35Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart | Ep. 15How to Limit Screen Time with Healthy Habits & a Bigger YESLeading Down a Grace-Filled Path | Ep. 17Teach Your Kids How to Trust GodTwo Questions That Defuse Almost Any ConflictWhy Doesn’t Your Tween Want to Shower? We Don’t Know Either.

Mar 18, 2020 • 24min
Connecting With Your Kids…Especially When They Struggle | Ep. 24
You may have heard, “Move TOWARD the struggling child.” This phrase might seem counter-intuitive. Often, when our child is struggling, the last thing we want to do is connect with them.
When we show love unconditionally, especially when our kids misbehave, they will then genuinely understand that our love cannot be earned. And that our love is not reserved exclusively for when they are obedient, helpful, or behaving in the way we want. Join Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, as they discuss what it looks like to make sure our kids know we not only love them unconditionally, but enjoy them.
In this podcast you’ll:
be given quick, easy “fly-by” ideas for connecting with your kids.learn strategies to help kids understand you still love them, in the middle of misbehavior.receive scripts and words to use that show empathy.hear a story from a mom whose empathy helped her connect with her daughter and get below her daughter’s anger.
Mentioned in this podcast: Zephaniah 3:17
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode and others can find us more easily!
Related Posts20 Beautiful Empathy Statements to Show Kids You Really See Them3 Unexpected Parenting Strategies to Help Your Highly Sensitive Child Thrive5 Powerful Ways to Connect with a Teen Who LiesConnecting with Toddlers & Teens During DisciplineDiscipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart | Ep. 15The Powerful Role of Empathy in DisciplineTwo Questions That Defuse Almost Any ConflictWHAT-EVER!! Ideas for Responding to Sass With Class
We are excited to offer a Connected Families Framework magnet to you for only $5! (This price even includes shipping and handling!) It can help remind you of all you are learning through the podcasts. Order one for your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car, or wherever you might need a quick reminder as you seek to lead your family with grace. (Live outside the United States? You can print a copy of the framework here.)

Mar 11, 2020 • 23min
Walking in Peace and Joy with Your Kids | Ep. 23
We all want a peaceful home where kids feel safe. But sometimes safety is hard to attain, especially when life is stressful. How do we respond during hard parenting moments? How can we do better at walking in peace and joy with our kids? In this podcast Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, dive into creating a culture of safety at home. Applying what you learn as you listen can impact your family for generations to come.
In this podcast you’ll learn to:
look inward and ask the question, “What’s going on in ME?”.build a strong foundation for parenting, knowing who you are in Christ.show your kids, in a way they can understand, that you are a flawed human.communicate “You are safe with me,” in practical ways that can help your kids build a solid foundation on God’s grace and truth.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Blog post: Let Go of Shiny Grab Hold of GraceBlog post: How to Parent Together When You’re Total OppositesI Thessalonians 2 as a parenting chapter in the Bible
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode and others can find us more easily!
Related PostsDiscipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart | Ep. 15Enjoy Your Children the Way You Always Wanted To | Ep. 44Fear-Based Compliance vs. Heartfelt Obedience: How to Avoid One & Inspire the OtherHow to Become an Emotionally Safe ParentThe Small Magnet That is Making a BIG DifferenceTo Spank or Not to Spank?What to Say When Your Child Makes Outrageous Statements | Ep. 37When Out-of-Control Kids Can’t Hear Your Gentle Voice
We are excited to offer a Connected Families Framework magnet to you for only $5! (This price even includes shipping and handling!) It can help remind you of all you are learning through the podcasts. Order one for your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car, or wherever you might need a quick reminder as you seek to lead your family with grace. (Live outside the United States? You can print a copy of the framework here.)

Mar 4, 2020 • 23min
Find Your Parenting Balance | Ep. 22
How do you define yourself as a parent? Do you feel stuck in your parenting and want to explore a new way? In this podcast Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, are excited to introduce you to a structured framework for parenting that can help bring balance to your parenting. You CAN find balance between grace and consequences while teaching your kids wisdom, values, and faith.
This podcast can bring balance to your parenting:
learn the origins of the Connected Families Framework and how Jim and Lynne came up with the idea.be introduced to a structure you can use and follow in your parenting to better reach your child’s heart during the messes of daily life.be equipped with a model for restoration and grace to be used during discipline that will train your child to make right what they’ve made wrong.hear a personal story from our online course moderator, Stacy, who has learned to change the trajectory of relationships in her family by following the Connected Families Framework for parenting.
Mentioned in the podcast:
How to Parent Together When You’re Total Opposites
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode and others can find us more easily!
Do you feel like a visual reminder would help remind you of these four messages and principles in your parenting? We have just the thing. Check out our Connected Families Framework magnet and order one for your fridge, your bathroom mirror, your car, or wherever you might need a quick reminder as you seek to lead your family with grace during the messes of daily life. Order one today!

Feb 5, 2020 • 24min
Families on Purpose | Ep. 21
The most successful companies usually have clear cut goals and strategies to accomplish those goals. However, most families float through life haphazardly. When families get dangerously off track, parents often say, “I just don’t know how we got here.” A lack of intentionality is often implicated when families’ find themselves sinking or even shipwrecked. In this podcast, Jim Jackson and Chad Hayenga will challenge you to have a plan to move your family forward with purpose.
In this podcast about family purpose you will:
Discover practical ways to keep this from happening to your familyBe inspired to instill a sense of purpose for your unique family to be a blessing in whatever ways God calls you, whether that’s in big* or lots of smaller ways Hear Chad’s story of the surprising impact of repeated discussions around a simple question his family would continually use to evaluate their goals
Don’t miss these helpful ideas to guide your family away from shipwreck as you sail strongly toward God’s purposes.
*In this podcast Jim mentions a story that Donald Miller shares about a wealthy dad “buying an orphanage” for his family. We recognize the verbiage used by the man in the story could be off-putting. We pray the story behind the words can challenge you to consider how your family might embrace a greater purpose to bless others.
Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode!
Related PostsHonoring Our Imperfect Dads | Ep. 19How Do I Get This Behavior to Stop?How to Speak Blessings Over Your Child This New YearLeading Down a Grace-Filled Path | Ep. 17The Small Magnet That is Making a BIG DifferenceWhere Do Parenting Reflexes Come From?
Frustrated by constant discipline challenges? Take 15 minutes to read our free ebook 4 Messages All Children Long to Hear: A Discipline That Connects Overview.

Jan 29, 2020 • 24min
Your kids? They’re watching. ALL the time. | Ep. 20
In this podcast, Chad Hayenga and Jim Jackson will challenge you to think through what you’re modeling as you parent. They’ll equip you with natural, effective ways to “live your life out loud” in a manner that builds faith and wisdom in your kids. You’ll come away with:
practical tips on how to make prayer natural with your kids.ideas on how to guide great dinner table conversations.simple ways to keep kids engaged when you read the Bible.
You may be intimidated by the idea of leading your kids to Jesus. The staff at church seems so much better equipped, right? But in your everyday life, you are teaching, leading, guiding and discipling in both the big moments, the small ones, and a million in between. Your kids are watching you all the time. The question is, what are they learning?
Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode!
Related Posts5 Practical Tips to Pray BIG as a FamilyHow to Limit Screen Time with Healthy Habits & a Bigger YESSo You Killed The Cat….Now What?Struggling at the Family Dinner Table? How to Come Together & EnjoyTeach Your Kids How to Trust GodWhere Do Parenting Reflexes Come From?
What are your parenting strengths?
You’ve got them. Knowing your strengths will help you become the best parent you can be. Knowing your parenting challenges is useful information too. Take our FREE ASSESSMENT.

Jan 22, 2020 • 25min
Honoring Our Imperfect Dads | Ep. 19
If you’ve struggled in your relationship with one (or both!) of your parents, this podcast can give life-changing insight. Hurt and resentment left to brew under the surface can often perpetuate the effects of sin passing from one generation to another.
In this podcast, Jim shares his process of working through very difficult feelings and dynamics in his relationship with his dad. This enabled him to get to a place of an affectionate, grace-filled, restored relationship. As mentioned in this fall 2019 blog post, he learned to apply the Connected Families Framework with his own parents.
In this podcast:
You’ll learn practical ways to release bitterness, reconnect, and confront a parent about past hurts. You’ll be encouraged to replace bitterness with forgiveness, and disconnection with affection and honor. You’ll be equipped to set boundaries as needed.
As you learn to navigate your relationship with your earthly parents, you may even find your relationship with your heavenly Father growing deeper and more personal. In turn, this can permeate your own family for generations to come.
Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode!
Sign up below to receive a weekly dose of encouragement straight to your inbox:
Related PostsFamilies on Purpose | Ep. 21How Do I Get This Behavior to Stop?Leading Down a Grace-Filled Path | Ep. 17When Doing My Best Isn’t Good Enough | Ep. 18Where Do Parenting Reflexes Come From?Why How YOU Were Parented Probably Won’t Work Anymore

Jan 15, 2020 • 22min
When Doing My Best Isn’t Good Enough | Ep. 18
In this podcast episode, Jim and Chad take a deeper dive into the dynamics of dads’ good intentions with their kids. If you sometimes feel like you’re doing your best and it’s just not good enough, be encouraged and equipped by the ideas in this practical podcast.
In this podcast you’ll:
listen as Jim shares some helpful insights from his own relationship with his dad. hear a roleplay illustrating typical default parenting and the messages kids may actually be receiving.be given examples demonstrating how to communicate messages of grace and truth to your kids in clear and practical ways.
Whether you are a dad (or mom!) who’s raising toddlers, tweens, or teens these deep and heartfelt principles can help change the trajectory of your family for generations to come. We invite you to listen to the rest of this podcast series and be encouraged to lead your family with grace!
Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode!
Sign up below to receive a weekly dose of encouragement straight to your inbox:
Related Posts11 Ideas to Help You Stop Yelling at Your KidsHonoring Our Imperfect Dads | Ep. 19How Do I Get This Behavior to Stop?Leading Down a Grace-Filled Path | Ep. 17What Changed My Mind About DadWhy How YOU Were Parented Probably Won’t Work Anymore

Jan 7, 2020 • 24min
Leading Down a Grace-Filled Path | Ep. 17
Join Jim Jackson, Connected Families co-founder, and Chad Hayenga, LMFT, Certified Life Coach and parent coach, for this first episode in a 5-part series for dads. Moms, of course you’re welcome to listen! But Jim and Chad will be addressing specific issues unique to dads.
Often dads are working outside the home and that can bring unique challenges. It’s easy to carry stress from work into the pressure cooker of home. Dads frequently, not always, feel they need to use strong authority to manage conflict in the family. The messages dads want to convey are often not the ones that kids receive. This can build disconnection and resentment in family relationships, despite the best intentions.
In this podcast you’ll:
learn 4 principles for parenting in a way that builds connection and respect.hear a story about a dad who finally achieved a life-long goal with his kids when he began to focus on these principles.receive 4-5 key questions to guide your thinking for inevitable discipline situations.
So whether you are a dad (or mom!) who’s raising toddlers, tweens, or teens these deep and heartfelt principles can help change the trajectory of your family for generations to come. We invite you to listen to the rest of this podcast series and be encouraged to lead your family with grace!
Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe to Connected Families podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode!
Want to learn more? Jim recorded this 38-minute audio thinking about dads (although moms can listen too!). If your wife has recently been digging into our material and is urging you to “get on board!” this is a great place to start!
Related PostsDo You Have a Positive View of Your Child's Future?Families on Purpose | Ep. 21Honoring Our Imperfect Dads | Ep. 19How Do I Get This Behavior to Stop?Mentoring Our Kids in Skills, Wisdom and Faith | Ep. 25When Doing My Best Isn't Good Enough | Ep. 18


