Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

When we look at the lives of those who have faithfully followed Christ, we are inspired with a new reason for seeking the City that is to come and at the same time we are shown a most safe path by which… we will be able to arrive at perfect union with Christ, that is, perfect holiness. - Lumen Gentium, 50 One of our great gifts as Catholics is the “older brothers and sisters” that God has given us in the saints.  There are saints for every personality, vocation, and even job type!  In this episode, we interview the creators of the podcast “Saints Alive!” who tell dramatizations of the life stories of the saints.  This is a great tool for parents in this digital age when we are all looking for good media to put in front of our children and into their minds. We hope this will be a valuable resource for parents looking to fill their children's minds with good and holy things!       Saints Alive Podcast - https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/episodes Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/  For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBVi8fszH6k

Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most solemn obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. ~ Pope Paul VI, Declaration of Christian Education  Educating children is one of the most important and daunting tasks parents must face.  For some parents who have good resources at their disposal, the choice may be easy.  For other parents, the choice is agonizing - charter school, Catholic school, homeschool, or public school…. What is the best thing for my child at this time?  But the needs of your child are not the only thing that you need to consider.  In this episode, Mike and Alicia give parents a framework for the conversation they need to have with their spouse on educational choices for their children.  There is not only one answer!  Listen in to this reboot of a classic conversation on marriage and parenting.    Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/  For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/zK3fPkNt2Oc  

Children have not been given to parents as a present, but as a trust for which, if lost through their negligence, they must render an account to God. ~ St. Alphonsus Ligouri   Raising teens is an art, not a science.  It takes finesse, subtleties, and nuances to get it right. Children are pushing back and trying to become independent adults while they are still not yet ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.  How do you slowly give them more freedom while making sure you don’t give them TOO much?  In this episode, we interview Bill and Tanis Merimee, parents of 9 children and founders of the ministry Marriages of Grace.  Bill and Tanis have a unique perspective also because they are both musicians and have children who are particularly artistic.  Teens who are artistic have special challenges and needs because they have a great gift to give the world - their art!  How can parents nurture this artistic temperament while avoiding the pitfalls that can come with the godless culture that is growing in the art world.  Listen in and join the conversation!    Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90    Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/   View the episode here - https://youtu.be/eRnjftj7r5w  

Each day be conscious of your duty to be a saint. — A saint! And that doesn’t mean doing strange things. It means a daily struggle in the interior life and in heroically fulfilling your duty right through to the end. ~ St. Jose Maria Escriva   One of the things we teach couples all the time is that marriage and family life is your path to holiness.  So the celebration of Lent and Easter should look different if you are a married person!  Sacrifices and commitments that take away from your vocation should be avoided because the first step in discerning anything is to consider your state in life. This means that you and I can become holy by not just having an hour of adoration, but also by playing with our toddlers!  Or taking your teen out to coffee, or having a weekly date night with your spouse. Catholics need to explore more of what it means to be a saint in our homes.  Listen in to this webinar we did on the Monday before Ash Wednesday to explain our Cana90 program for couples and families.  Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90    Moms, Dads, and Family Board Meeting Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/   View the episode here - https://youtu.be/9XXXCgvrRgI 

“When she’s in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her, she gains confidence. If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughter's life, you would beoverwhelmed, or both.” ― Dr. Meg Meeker All girls have a certain pattern of physical development that will change them into women, but these changes need to be guided, nurtured, and shaped by loving parents.  The genius of womanhood is a great gift to the world and parents are the ones who help a girl realize this gift. We did this podcast to help all parents encourage the feminine qualities within their daughters.  Not stereotypes, but honest, strong, and true womanhood.  Listen in as we give some insights, inspiration, and practical advice.   Read more on masculinity and femininity - https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/Al0Wlyat9iI

Manhood isn’t something that simply happens to boys as they get older. It’s an achievement – something a boy accomplishes, something that can easily go awry. If we ignore the importance of this transition, and fail in our duty as parents to guide boys through it, then we will learn the hard way why traditional cultures invest this transition with so much importance. - Dr Leonard Sax In today’s world we cannot assume that all boys will grow up to be masculine men.  But this is the task of every parent of a boy!  Parents need to recognize that boys need to be guided on the road to manhood.  It doesn’t just happen all by itself.  To give this guidance well, parents need to first realize that boys and girls have been created with different gifts.  Though a truly balanced man finds within himself both masculine and feminine qualities, parents need to start with encouraging a boy’s strengths, his masculine qualities.  Listen into this conversation as we discuss how parents can take an active role in encouraging masculinity in their sons.     Read more on masculinity and femininity - https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/   For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/  View the episode here - https://youtu.be/yFwQIagpisg 

"Creating informal rituals when you can connect emotionally is critical in a marriage" ~ John M. Gottman, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work   Dating your spouse consistently is the easiest thing you can do to keep your love alive - and its fun too!  We have been challenged recently to spend more time with each other and just have fun.  Because our work puts us in each other's orbit all the time, it can be easy for us to think that we don’t need MORE time together, but we do.  Date night reminds us that our relationship must come first because it is the foundation of our family.  Listen in as we give some encouragement, ideas, motivation, and inspiration to always, no matter what, date your spouse.    Family Board Meeting Webinar - https://messyfamilyproject.org/our-events/date-night/2023-family-board-meeting-webinar  Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/  For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/dAwqkXM3UMg 

“Anger isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be.” For some reason, dealing with sons and daughters can bring out anger in a person who has been mild mannered and easy going their whole life!  Why is that?  What we have noticed is that children do not create our weaknesses, they reveal them. It is good to understand why we react so strongly to certain situations in order to grow in virtue.  In this podcast, we shed some light on the truth about anger, give some tools and ideas for handling anger, and share some of our own experiences and difficulties.  If you struggle with anger you are not alone!  Listen in and join the conversation.   Family Board Meeting Webinar - https://messyfamilyproject.org/our-events/date-night/2023-family-board-meeting-webinar  Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90  Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/    For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ View the episode here - https://youtu.be/aYv3whGxIdo

“The sacrifices our parents made to give us brothers and sisters is one of the greatest things they have done for us.” - Mike and Alicia Hernon We usually talk about family life from the perspective of parents.  But for this podcast, we are going to take some time to talk about what it was like growing up in a family of 6 for Mike and a family of 10 for Alicia.  We didn’t realize it as kids, but our parents' lives were really hard and they made a lot of sacrifices having the large families that they had. We see now that although our parents had difficulties, they were not prevented from giving us the greatest gift that they could - our brothers and sisters. Our siblings haven’t blessed us just as children, but we have been able to benefit from those relationships into adulthood!  Our brothers and sisters have colored in the outlines that our parents traced for us.  We hope that all parents listening will realize that more than money, premier schools, or fancy clothes your children need brothers and sisters.  Those relationships are riches they will have for the rest of their lives!  Get your Messy Family gear -  jacket, pullovers, and Yeti at : https://messyfamilyproject.org/give  View the episode here https://youtu.be/3Ely0kr-Ifw

The holidays are a perfect time for families to have game nights or even game days!  Games teach children invaluable lessons about strategy, logic, and skill but also about how to get along with others, what consequences mean, and how to be a good loser and a gracious winner.  Taking time to invest in games for kids is a great activity for parents and you may actually have fun too!  See our list of games for families below to enjoy!   Support our mission and choose a great thank you gift: https://messyfamilyproject.org/give Games list mentioned: https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/games-we-love