The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

Are you 100 percent thrilled with how your family uses technology?  If you say no, then welcome to the club! This month's theme is RESET YOUR TECH. Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe If your kids opted out of having a smartphone, social media and video games, would they be better or worse off? Imagine saying goodbye to parental controls, fights, and time limits. Today's guest Erin Loechner is the author of The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't. As you can imagine, I love this book! Today's we're going to talk about:  3:00 What an “opt-out” family looks like 5:00 Why is social media so dangerous for children? 10:43 What the algorithm of social media does 14:10 The burden of social media on girls 21:00 Does having a smartphone truly help your child in their social life? 23:30 How can we “opt-in” to other things as we “opt-out” of social media?  27:10 The main concerns with AI 29:45 Why easier is not better Erin Loechner is a former social media influencer who walked away from a million fans to live a low-tech lifestyle and is now teaching others to do the same. She's been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, the Today Show. Erin is the founder of the global tech-free movement the Opt-Out Family. Learn more about Erin Loechner and her new book (which is launching with no social media of her own), The Opt Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't. https://www.optoutfamily.com/ Learn how to dumb down your smartphone https://www.optoutfamily.com/tip/ Read Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083 Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Our kids aren't growing up in a culture that supports following Jesus. Yet kids and teens are spiritually curious. How can we reach the spiritual curious with the good news of Jesus? How can we help our kids engage their friends about faith? Mark Matlock, senior fellow at Barna, is here to explain the culture we live in and why spiritual openness is on the rise. Sharing from his book, Faith for the Curious, you'll learn:  2:05 What does it really mean to be curious? 8:30 How do we give space for curiosity and still give our kids guidance? 13:05 How to have essential conversations with your kids when they are curious about the “wrong” things  18:36 Living in Digital Babylon  21:28 Helping our kids reach their spiritually curious friends  26:48 How to create opportunities to talk about faith using curiosity Mark Matlock is an author, senior fellow at Barna, the founder of WisdomWorks, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Urbana for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Mark's books include Faith for Exiles, and today we're talking about his new book, Faith for the Curious.  Learn more about Mark Matlock and his book Faith for the Curious on his website. https://markmatlock.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com More Resources for Your Family: Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

We may live in a broken world, but that doesn't mean the goodness of God is out of reach. We can live with joy, abundance, and confidence right now! Beloved Bible teacher Carol McLeod is here to encourage your heart with truth from the book of Colossians and her own experience raising five children. Based on Carol's new book, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture, you'll learn how to flourish as a family. We'll talk about:   2:22 How can you live abundantly as a family in this broken, toxic culture?    6:29 Do you live in an invisible prison?   8:45 What does walking with the Lord look like day-to-day?   13:30 Practical tips for loving difficult people in your life (especially when they are your kids or spouse)   18:26 Kids have superpowers (but it's not what you think)   23:32 How can we cultivate more gratitude in the home   26:25 Living in God’s will doesn't have to be a mystery   29:24 Never nag about chores again   Bible teacher Carol McLeod is a mom to five grown children and Marmee to 10 grandchildren. Her YouVersion devotionals have been downloaded more than 4 million times. Carol has devoted her life to teaching women the Word of God. She is the author of several books included her new book based on the Book of Colossians, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture.  Learn more about Carol McLeod and her book here https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/ Learn more about Carol's video teaching here https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/shop-main/p/overflowing-bundle Getting into fights with your kids over screen time? Read Arlene's book Screen Kids co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083 Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com More Resources for Your Family:  Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Playing on a sports team can be a great learning experience for your child, but it can also lead to overcommitment and exhaustion. How can you tell if your commitment to sports is working for or against your family? Dr. David Fraze is here to coach us up. He has a new book full of good advice for student athletes and the families who are cheering for them (and driving them to games). The book is Practical Wisdom for Athletes and Their Families (co-authored with Dr. Monica Williams). During today's interview, David will answer many questions like:  3:20 Wait, I don’t have to go crazy driving my kids to all different sports?  5:00 Look at your pocketbook… 6:00 Start here if you are struggling with juggling sports  8:20 What if the sports schedule conflicts with church or other Christian activities?  12:00 If you have a problem with the coach, how should you approach him or her?  15:30 How can we bring glory to God through sports?   17:50 What if your child is becoming more vulgar / less godly because of the team?  20:00 My kid wants to quit, what should I do? 23:00 When parents act poorly in the stands  25:30 How to reset while you’re playing a game Dr. David Fraze is an associate professor and Endowed Chair of Youth and Family ministry at Lubbock Christian University. He has worked for more than 35 years with youth in church, school, and athletic settings, working with coaches, student athletes and families specifically for the last 15 years. Learn more about his book, Practical Wisdom for Athletes and Their Families here https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Wisdom-Families-Athletes-Ultimate/dp/1684260035/ Need solid teaching to up your game as a parent? Get access to all the sessions of this year's Parents Rising Conference with Dr. Gary Chapman, Bill and Pam Farrel, Sally Burke, and Arlene Pellicane here. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/conference Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com More Resources for Your Family: Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@arlenehappyhome

On most days, do you feel like a success or a failure as a mom? It can be easy to feel lost and alone, but we don't have to stay that way. Mother and grandmother Karen Stubbs is the ideal mentor to provide inspiration for parenting, backed up with practical tips that will make motherhood easier. Sharing from her new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood, you'll learn about:  3:00 Recognizing the dangers of self-pity  8:00 How to take charge - but not control - your home  14:43 Why being clear in discipline is essential 15:55 What to do if you haven’t been consistent in discipline with your kids  21:00 Building confidence in your child to overcome   27:22 You don’t do the parenting journey alone! Karen Stubbs is an author and speaker who loves equipping moms. In 2011, she founded Birds on a Wire, a ministry to help moms with practical and Biblical truth so they can parent with confidence. When Karen was a young mom, her husband Greg was a fighter pilot in the Navy and she knows what it’s like to struggle with young kids.  Learn more about Karen Stubbs and her new book, Survival Guide to Motherhood here. https://birdsonawiremoms.com/ Need solid teaching to up your game as a parent? Get access to all the sessions of this year's Parents Rising Conference with Dr. Gary Chapman, Bill and Pam Farrel, Sally Burke, and Arlene Pellicane here. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/conference Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com More Resources for Your Family: Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@arlenehappyhome

July's Theme is Raising Boys and Girls Encore PresentationKids and parents are way more anxious than they were in the 90s. What is happening to make anxiety so contagious and common? Pull up a chair for an illuminating, truth-filled conversation with counselor Sissy Goff as she shares principles from her new book, The Worry-Free Parent. In this conversation, you'll learn: 3:30 The two things you need to hear right now as a parent 4:25 What’s changed in counseling today versus the '90s 7:20 How does our anxiety rub off on our kids? 10:10 Which parenting style do you identify with? 14:30 Neuroplasticity - What happens if we keep reinforcing our worried brain? 18:00 I hear so much about parents who compare themselves to other parents on social media 19:10 Try this if you have a hard time falling asleep 21:30 Let go of the bottom 20% 24:00 My mom is more nurturing to me when I have panic attacks… 26:00 When parents have anxious thoughts, I want you to reframe this way 28:30 How to create more security at home with these two things Sissy Goff is the director of child and adolescent counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville. She speaks across the country and cohosts the popular Raising Boys and Girls with David Thomas. Sissy has authored several books such as Raising Worry Free Girls. Learn more about Sissy and her latest book, The Worry-Free Parent at raisingboysandgirls.com Follow Sissy on Instagram @sissygoff More Resources for Your Family: Arlene's Free Marriage Webinar -- Get Unstuck in Your Marriage. If you feel stuck in a rut or you've just lost that lovin' feeling, register for Arlene's free marriage webinar. Subscribe to Arlene's free email list for a monthly resource to help your home. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's new Happy Home YouTube Channel youtube.com/@arlenehappyhome Special thanks to HireMyMom.com

July's Theme is Raising Boys and Girls Encore PresentationHow would you like to let go of performance based parenting? Bestselling author Renee Swope is here to share from her latest book, A Confident Mom. With many heart warming and relatable examples from her own life, you'll learn how to focus on building character, not perfection, in the heart of your child. We'll talk about: 2:30 Ready to turn in your pink slip as a mom? 4:20 How do you mine for gold in the heart’s of your children? 6:50 When your child is mean, try this 8:00 Engaging boys in devotionals - how to make it more interactive (you can use M&Ms) 10:45 Apologizing to our kids when we are unkind 12:50 When a younger brother is frustrated that he can’t do what older brother can do 14:50 How do you encourage character in the lives of your adult children? 19:00 How to support your kids’ career choices 20:40 Adjusting your expectations as an adoptive parent, when your child has developmental delays 26:00 A surprising (beautiful) moment in the carpool lane 28:00 The Instagram reel versus real life Renee Swope is an author, podcast host, and popular speaker. She's the mom to three kids and lives in North Carolina. Find out more about Renee and her book, A Confident Mom, at her website Reneeswope.com Get Arlene's free Five Stress Busters for Moms at Happy Home University by subscribing to her email list.

July's Theme is Raising Boys and Girls Encore PresentationIs your teenager hearing from Jesus? When our kids encounter Jesus for themselves, everything changes. Drew Hill has worked with teens for more than 20 years and shares how parents can invite teens to (literally) walk with Jesus. In today's conversation, you'll learn about: 2:30 Meeting Jesus as a teenager 4:00 This Christian camp experience changed my life 6:00 Go on a walk - why is this transformational? 7:30 About the documentary Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known 9:10 What if our teens aren’t interested in spiritual things - how can we help them get more interested? 12:00 What is the biggest change you’ve seen in youth ministry since smartphones? 14:10 We imagine things all the time 16:50 When should my kid get a phone? 19:45 I know I’m a phone addict… 24:00 Personal life lessons from Dr. Gary Chapman 28:00 Who is Crash the Rhino? Drew Hill is an award-winning author and speaker. He serves as the head of school for the Covenant School in Greensboro, NC. He also works in the leadership of Young Life. He and his wife Natalie have five kids. Learn more about Drew and his book, Alongside Jesus: Devotions for Teenagers alongsideresources.com Watch the documentary Drew talked about: Godspeed, The Pace of Being Known Get Arlene's free Gratitude Workout - 10 ways to build the muscle of thanksgiving in your child's life. Subscribe at happyhomeuniversity.com The Happy Home is sponsored in part by Talk About. Use Promo Code HAPPYHOME to get 1 month free at TalkAboutDiscipleship.com.

July's Theme is Raising Boys and Girls Encore Presentation It's challenging to raise confident girls in this social media age. What if you are struggling with confidence yourself as a mom? How can women and girls develop godly confidence and courage? In today's conversation with author and mom Terra Mattson, you'll learn: 2:50 What are you seeing repeated again and again in your counseling practice with girls? 4:50 Letting go of performance-based thinking 6:30 When a boy asks your daughter for an inappropriate photo…do this 9:00 Talking with your daughter about wanting to be liked and the fear of losing friends (negative peer pressure) 11:30 What are red light, yellow light, and green light friendships? 13:10 My struggle with bulimia and what I learned 16:30 The lost art of confession 17:45 How can we encourage our girl who is scared to go to school or scared to face a mean girl? 19:30 Going on dates with your daughter, having intentional time 23:00 What are some signs that my daughter needs extra help like counseling? Terra Mattson has 20-plus years of experience as a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. Terra and her husband Jeff founded Living Wholehearted, a counseling and organizational development firm helping people live and lead with integrity. Terra's book is Courageous: Raising Daughters Rooted in Grace. Learn more at her website. TerraMattson.com Terra also has a video course, Helping Moms Raise Confident Daughters. Learn more here. Is your child getting too much screen time? Take the free quiz at HappyHomeUniversity.comThe Man in the Tree and the Brand New Start is available here. Save 25% by using code: Save25Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

July's Theme is Raising Boys and Girls Encore Presentation "Emotionally mature" may not be the words you use to describe your son. Maybe your boy is prone to outbursts, or rarely says more than one sentence at a time. Counselor and author David Thomas is here to help us nurture and raise emotionally strong boys. In today's conversation, you'll learn: 2:30 How can we understand our boys better by using the Incredible Hulk? 5:00 Teach these three R’s to your kids so they can regulate themselves, going from stressed to settled 7:00 Work things out for yourself out loud so your child can hear how you manage stress and problems without angry outbursts 9:10 Boys funnel emotions through anger; they are more physical than girls (hitting walls, biting, etc) 11:00 How a walk, run, and movement can help your son regulate emotions 13:30 How to respond according to research when your boy says, “But I want to play my video game, it helps me calm down.” 15:00 Creating a top five list of regulation strategies 17:20 Emotional vocabulary chart - how to get one for free 19:45 The difference between saying “I am depressed” versus “I feel sad” 22:30 Suicidal ideations - how can you tell if your child is serious? 24:30 Adult men lead some of the scariest stats out there - including suicide 27:50 Practice this exercise to put events in perspective (so they know losing homework isn’t the end of the world) David Thomas is the director of family counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN and the coauthor of 10 books. He and his fellow counselor Sissy Goff co-host the podcast Raising Boys and Girls. David’s newest book is Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build on for Life. Find out more about David Thomas and his book Raising Emotionally Strong Boys at RaisingBoysandGirls.com Take the free quiz, "Is my child getting too much screen time?" at HappyHomeUniversity.orgThe Man in the Tree and the Brand New Start is available here. Save 25% by using code: Save25