Our circumstances aren't always great, but we can work in the messes and keep moving forward. If you've got a cross country runner or love to run, then you'll want to listen. And if you're not, you'll still want to listen.

Talking to our kids about scary world events can be overwhelming as a parent. Listen in to this episode for a 3 step framework you can use to guide you in tough conversations.

When was the last time you stopped to think about how good you are? It's probably been a while. Even when you mess up, you are GOOD. And, your family needs this imperfect version of you-- not some idealic, perfect, wannabe creation that you carry around in your head.

I’m curious. Is it easy or more difficult for you to connect with your kids-- especially the one who challenges you? For us, there is a lot of variation. Sometimes building a relationship is easy and sometimes we struggle more.

In today's we are talking about one barrier that might be getting in the way of strengthening relationships with your people. Listen in and please, share with a friend!

Your kids want a relationship with you. Yes, their friends matter a whole lot and sometimes appear to be more important than anything else. However, they deeply care about their relationship with you.

The problem is, sometimes they feel totally stuck. They think the only way to connect with you is to do everything you want in the way you want it done. Think about that for a minute.  Are they right?

Feeling overwhelmed or defeated by your goals for the new year? Don't let that stop you from progressing. In today's episode, we talk about a few options for moving forward that do not require a complete overhaul of our lives and families.

Our guest Becky Kemp shares with us the power of words and how they can impact how we feel heading into this new year. She offers 3 words to act as guides as we move forward and create personal change.

There are times parenting feels like a long journey that will NEVER end. Certainly the months of November and  December can feel like a long journey that we love, but wonder if we will survive! Listen in for words of encouragement from our guest Lynnette Sheppard as we wrap up 2021 and begin our journey into a new year.

Lynnette Sheppard on Instagram @lynnettesheppard

Today Tricia McKenna shares with us her journey in developing a personal spiritual practice and how that directly impacted her family dynamics. 

You can find Tricia on Instagram @aheartgrounded and Facebook

@TriciaMcKennaAZ. Her website is www.aheartgrounded.com

Do you have an agenda for how things go with your family? I think most of us do this time of year. Are that agenda and the expectations that come along with it helping bring you closer to your family? That's what we're talking about today with our guest host, Cheryl Cardall.

You can find Cheryl on Instagram @cherylcardall and on her podcast Fight Like a Mother.

Monica Packer from the podcast About Progress is here to share 3 tips for finding joy. She teaches us how to lower our hurdles, or how to make hard things just a little bit easier.

You can find her on Instagram @aboutprogress

If you have found yourself asking, “What’s wrong with me?”

 “Why can’t I just feel happy?” “How is everyone else finding so much joy, but I’m not.”

There is a reason you might have overlooked, and Kelly's suggestions might just surprise you. I promise no overwhelming tasks to add to your to-do list!

You can follow Kelly on Instagram @kellynortoncoaching or go to her website kellynortoncoaching.com.

For more information about our online class "From Conflict to Connection," go to www.buildfamilyconnection.com/optin-bars/

In this episode we talk about creative ways to incorporate service into your holiday season without adding extra stress and pressure.

If you aren't happy with where your family relationships are, then quit trying the same things over and over again. Listen in and get thinking about finding yourself you a better way.

If you are feeling buried by a lengthy to-do list, listen in. If you are ready for some options, we've got you covered.

One thing we can count on in life, is that very few things will go exactly as we imagine they will. Things will go wrong. Our job is not to try and control "all the things" but to learn how to respond in the tough moments.

Can parenting from the same page really be a thing? Yes....and no. Let's talk about what you can try if you and your parenting counterpart disagree.

Holidays can hold a lot of emotion. Beautiful tender feelings AND also difficult, stressful, painful ones. It is okay to make room for both. You don't have to choose.

Holiday gatherings are intended to be fun, but we all know that our kids don't always agree. Helping our kids preview what to expect and how we can navigate gathering, will decrease our stress and increase our personal enjoyment.

We run fast as parents. Join me and take just a small break to breathe.

Finding out that our kids have been exposed to online garbage like pornography will make us sick every single time. Preparing ourselves with a plan, will help us react in the best way possible.

It totally stinks, but we as parents get to learn to talk to our kids about hard things like pornography, and these conversations need to start a lot younger than you might think.

In this episode we talk about the progression of learning to share control with our kids so that we can empower them to take charge of their own life.

If October felt like a whirlwind, you're not alone! Listen in to today's episode for a few ideas on how to approach the upcoming holiday season.

The month of May is often a month of transition for families. In this episode, we talk about three things you can do to help smooth transitions of all sorts. 

Have you ever wondered when to step in or when to let your kiddo handle a problem on their own? Teaching our kids to stand up for themselves requires practice. Listen in for some tools you can teach and practice when supporting your kid.

It's so easy to react in anger and frustration, but before you do, try asking these two simple questions.

Guys, this stuff really works!! Really. So come join me on episode 151 to learn what tool I used in a recent interaction that completely changed the dynamics of a conversation. 

The short answer, you can't be safe unless you are willing to hold a boundary. We become safe when we learn to manage our big reactions.

We know we need to teach our kids how to solve their own problems, but do we know HOW to do it? Listen in for a few guiding questions and options that will help you teach your kids to become problem solvers.

I've got a special guest this episode who shares her story about making a choice that wasn't her favorite. If you've ever made a choice you've regretted, then this episode is for you.

If you end the day feeling like you have failed your people, then come join me as we discuss one shift you can make to bring in some hope. The good news is- you may not be perfect, but you aren't a failure.

Our families require constant care and nourishment. Our approach may need adjusting along the way, but the principles we follow remain constant.

Join us for part 2 of our conversation about what to do when kids lie. Today we are talking about how to rebuild trust that has been diminished.

If you enjoyed this episode, come follow me on

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/buildfamilyconnection/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BuildFamilyConnection

Head on over to my website and sign up for the newsletter.

http://www.buildfamilyconnection.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, come follow me on

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/buildfamilyconnection/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BuildFamilyConnection

Head on over to my website and sign up for the newsletter.

http://www.buildfamilyconnection.com/

Kids and teens want to do well in their lives. You've taught them about goodness and they want to be on a good path. They don't want to be forced there. This episode is about the invitation versus the demand.

In moments of frustration, overwhelm, and anger, we can use memories from better times to anchor our hearts and lead us to more positive experiences in our families.

Sometimes in parenting our kids we take on too much. We end up feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and ready to quit. One small shift can lighten your load and decrease your stress and anxiety.

Life with older kids gets messy. We don't get to control their choices and they will mess up. We can count on it. The question I want you to consider today is, "How do I show up for my kids when they make a choice I don't like or disagree with?" Do they know you're on their team.

We can remember, but we also need to carry lessons we have learned from 9/11 and other difficult moments in our life forward. 

When was the last time you stopped to think about why you chose to do the things you do? Today is your day. Listen in and learn why your WHY matters.

After spending a week with little kids, I was reminded just how hard every stage of parenting can be! If you need a little encouragement today, I've got ya.

Does your family struggle to manage big emotions? Most do. Big emotions are a reality for all of us, but we often don’t practice how to express and feel big in safe and healthy ways. In this episode, we talk about steps you can take to help your family (this includes you) process big emotions without shattering the environment in your home.

If you’ve ever wondered about why building a relationship matters and how it fits with holding kids accountable and creating responsible adults, you are not alone. I get this question all the time!

Sometimes when our older kids come and ask for our help or share their problems, what they’re really asking for is for us to listen. We often jump in too quickly and begin trying to fix their problems. Then, they end up rejecting our ideas or tuning us. So frustrating, right? In episode 135, we cover 3 key questions you can use to guide you in these tricky conversations. I’ll give you a hint….we need to stop assuming they want our solutions! Anyone else struggle with this? Good thing we get to learn together.

A trip to the dentist reminded me that I needed to talk less and listen more. Episode 134 is short and sweet- don’t miss it!

When I was teaching last week a mom shared the idea of hot potato moments. This reframe is a great way to ease the stress of those times when our kids unexpectedly dump big information or events on us.

Whether your child is a big kid or little kid, transitions can be tough. It might be the start of school, a new activity, or group of friends. Listen in for specific ways to support your child and calm the chaos of tough transitions.

Whether your child is a big kid or little kid, transitions can be tough. Listen in for some tips to connect and support your child today.

Tired of telling your kids the same things over and over again? Time to make the shift from telling to teaching. Listen in for some specific ideas and how to connect with your kids in the process.