Connected Families Podcast

Self-care is a hot topic, but what about soul-care? How can you open up space in your heart for God to meet you and speak to you in the middle of a busy, chaotic day? Or in the midst of your discouragement or frustration? Today’s conversation will encourage you that God is reaching out to you with His love and grace in the midst of everyday life. Sharing her personal journey, Lydia Rex (mom of 2 and Connected Families Parent Coach) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for an interview about caring for your soul while parenting. And the best part is that, as you receive God’s grace, you’ll be equipped to show grace to your kids all the more. In this podcast you’ll discover: how to start paying attention to the ways God speaks to you in small everyday moments that you can experience God as your co-regulator as you seek to help your child regulate a fresh perspective on the struggles your family might experience questions you can ask to be open to hearing from God in the moment scriptures that offer hope and perspective when you need a lifeline Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Click the button below to access a transcript of this podcast. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: Episode 138 | How to Encourage Critical Thinking for Little Ones Episode 126 | Why Is My Child So Angry All the Time Episode 89 | A Powerful New Perspective for Parenting Sensitive & Intense Kids online course Discipline That Connects online course Parent Coaching All Certified Connected Families Parent Coaches John 21 John 14:26 Stop believing lies. About you. Or your kids. Learn to approach motherhood with grace and truth. Take the Grace & Truth for Moms small group course. TELL ME MORE Related PostsHow To Explain Grace to a Child in a Creative Way: One Dad’s StoryIs Your Child Intense and Impulsive?Why Is My Child So Angry? The #1 Unexpected Reason & Practical Steps to Take

Do you wish you had a strong foundation to guide you through challenging situations with your kids? Or, do you know a little about the Connected Families Framework but want to grow your application of it? The parenting topics in today’s podcast can help build your foundation for parenting and help you apply the Connected Families Framework. In this episode, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founders) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to touch on several parenting topics that are covered in-depth in the Discipline That Connects online course. Jim and Lynne wrote the course to equip parents to love their kids unconditionally while teaching them to take responsibility for their actions. Each topic includes a statement you can use to remind yourself of your parenting goals. In this podcast you’ll discover: key phrases that guide each level of the Connected Families Framework key parenting statements mentioned in this podcast Kids learn best when they feel safe. My child is not my report card. When kids misbehave, we have a golden opportunity to communicate unconditional love. I can find and build strengths in my child even in the midst of misbehavior. Effective discipline puts responsibility on kids to right their wrongs. how the Discipline That Connects online course can help you discipline effectively and create lasting change for your family If you’d like to learn more about the parenting topics in this conversation, register today for the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course. Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects online course – Registration ends September 30th! Psalm 139:23-24 Galatians 6 Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

Wondering about disciplining an explosive child? You’re not alone! In fact, what to do with kid’s anger is one of our most frequent inquiries here at Connected Families. Aggressive behavior and explosive anger are intense challenges, and there is hope for change as you and your child build skills. In today’s episode, Jessica Brandon (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) joins Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss the anger spectrum and practical ideas you can use to help a child with explosive anger. Jessica shares her personal experiences with her intense kids and insights as a parent coach to leave you encouraged about helping your child with anger. In this podcast you’ll discover: what’s happening inside your child when they have explosive anger the spectrum of anger expression (from explosive to indirect to hidden) ways to build the skill of respectful anger insights to help a child who refuses to move past anger proactive skills you can use to help a child with explosive anger when to “worry” about toddler aggression Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Anger spectrum blog post Ephesians 4:26 Proverbs 12:8 Proverbs 10:18 Ephesians 4:25 Learning Respectful Anger FREE printable PDF for parents to teach kids Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course – Register Today! Guest Bio: Jessica Brandon is a mom to three energetic kiddos. She has a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies and a Masters Degree in Christian Ministries. She believes one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to parent them with the Father’s heart. The Connected Families Framework captures this so well! She would love to partner with you and empower you with tools to love and connect with your children. You can find her at: jessbrandoncoaching.com and on Instagram @jessbrandon_coaching. Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW! Related PostsAre You or Your Child Addicted to Anger?Helping Kids with Their AngerWhy Punching a Pillow When Angry Doesn’t Really Help Your Child

My child won’t listen! Sound familiar? If you’ve had that exasperated thought recently, you’re not alone. Obedience and cooperation are common struggles most families encounter. There may be a disconnect between your good intentions and what your kids experience and believe. That disconnect can fuel these listening troubles. In today’s conversation, Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share a really practical skill for parents. It’s not a tip or a trick to manipulate behavior, but a fresh way to engage with your kids that invites cooperation. This skill is part of our Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course that’s loaded with practical ideas and resources to change the atmosphere in your home. If this conversation is helpful, you’ll love the online course. Registration is open now, and you can start Session 1 today! In this podcast you’ll discover: possible underlying struggles for kids who aren’t listening common disconnects between parents’ good intentions and kids’ experiences ways that your discipline sends messages that form your child’s identity how “slow, low, listen” provides a way to engage with your child and receive from the Lord what you need in tough moments the powerful dynamic shift that can happen with your child when you take the time to be a compassionate team leader Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course-Register Today! Stickers! Slow, Low, Listen, plus others! 1 Corinthians 10:13 Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW! Related PostsCalming Yourself Before Going Into Discipline | Ep.109Discipline and Your Kids: Your Questions Answered | Ep. 147Kids Don’t Listen? How to Stop Lecturing and Start Asking Better Questions

Your kids keep growing and changing, and so do your questions about parenting. Today’s podcast might answer a few of your questions and leave you wishing you had your own parent coach. In this Q&A style podcast, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Parent Coach) answer some common parenting questions from people enrolled in our Discipline That Connects online course. If you’d like to have your parenting questions answered and grow in connection with your kids, register today for the Discipline That Connects online course. During the course, you’ll have several opportunities to submit your questions for Q&A sessions hosted by Certified Connected Families Parent Coaches. The course is also moderated by CF Parent Coach Katie Wetsell, (RN, MSN, SPACE-trained), who will encourage you and host guided check-ins to support you during the course. In this podcast you’ll discover: ways you can help two or more of your kids who are struggling at the same time how you can ignore the behavior but not the child during a tantrum that your calm presence when your child is struggling grows safety, love, and connection why a deeper connection with you can help your child obey how to stay emotionally safe (but intervene quickly and effectively!) when your child does something potentially dangerous Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course Attachment Play (book) Psalm 73 50 Self-Regulation Activities To Empower Your Child To Calm Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

Parenting in the complexity of today’s world is stressful! The level of children’s anxiety and behavior challenges has skyrocketed. It can feel overwhelming and discouraging. But despite those struggles, you are still actively seeking God’s grace and truth for yourself so you can pass it on to your children. Some days you probably do that a lot better than other days. But every day, it helps to know that you are not alone. All of our efforts here at Connected Families are geared toward equipping you and supporting the work that God is doing in your family. As Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you (or your kids, your family) will bring it to completion… “ God is working on your behalf, and the Connected Families community is here to support you! Being part of the community means that you may have: listened to this podcast (we just crossed our 1.5 million listens mark!) gotten our Thursday Parenting Tips emails been resourced by one of our many free ebooks taken at least one of our online courses DTC registration is launching TODAY! Whether you are just hearing about the course for the first time or have been thinking about taking it for a while – now is the time! Once a year, we open up registration for the full, moderated version of the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, and today is the day! The Connected Families Framework communicates the messages: You are SAFE, LOVED, CALLED and CAPABLE, and RESPONSIBLE for your actions. This course is the foundational curriculum that teaches that framework. There is also a book that Jim and Lynne Jackson wrote with the same name. Have you already taken the Discipline That Connects online course? If the answer is “Not yet,” then we want to encourage you to go and sign up right now. Discipline That Connects is for you if you are feeling stuck, old parenting patterns are not changing, or you have thought – yikes, what will the future look like? Discipline That Connects is for you if you have been listening to the podcast for a while, and the tools we teach, like “Do-overs,” “Slow, Low and Listen,” and “Gifts-Gone-Awry,” are really resonating. If this sounds like you, it’s time to dig into the full version. Hundreds of alumni come back every year to take the course again because the content is so valuable. They want a refresher and to be part of all the extra resources we add. What extras does DTC include this year? Year-round, anyone can get access to the core video content only (basically a stripped-down version of the course) or even lead a small group through the course. But opening the FULL course, like we are right now in September, means that people worldwide are all going through the content at their own pace but are able to interact through comments and questions online. During these couple of months, there are weekly emails, a parent coach to moderate, Question & Answer opportunities, and so much more. 4 things that are new this year: 1. If you register early, you get to pick a free gift! Pick between: the Parent Bundle, which includes our new stickers! ($18 value!) DTC Welcome Packet ($15 value!) the Healthy Rhythms for Daily Life online course which gives specific guidance on sleep issues, picky eating, etc… ($28 value!) 2. We are excited to offer an audio-only option while this cohort runs. You will be able to listen to the content on a walk or in the car just like you are listening to this little bonus podcast. This will be a game-changer!3. Guided Check-Ins: These 30-minute live check-in groups will boost the application of your learning into your everyday parenting and do it in a supportive environment. (Only 120 spots available.)4. Soul Care Sessions: (Less than 10 minutes each) Christian faith and biblical foundation are integrated into the whole course. During soul care videos, you will hear from parents about how the content of the course intersects with their faith and what that looks like in the hard times of parenting, tantrums, sleeplessness, and feeling overwhelmed. Soul care sessions will feed your soul and be an encouragement. When you register, you get access to the entire course right away. Please share it with your friends. We hope you join us for this year’s FULL version of Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart. A Blessing for Parents This blessing is taken from Susie Larson’s book, May His Face Shine Upon You: May you grow to love and accept the you God is making you to be.May you walk in a new level of grace and gratitude that gives you peace and leaves others encouraged.May you be more apt to look forward with hope than you are to look back with regret.May your heart spill over with joy at the very thought of the story God is writing in your life. Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Registration for the Discipline That Connects online course! Philippians 1:6 Sign up for Thursday parenting tips emails Connected Families Framework Visit the Connected Families website for more resources on applying the Framework Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

According to today’s guest and trust expert, Dr. Henry Cloud, trust is fuel for all of life. Humans are hard-wired to trust, yet we still have to earn our children’s trust over and over again. Trust is sometimes a challenge in our other relationships as well. In today’s show, Dr. Henry Cloud (psychologist and best-selling author) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss his latest book, Trust. Dr. Cloud shares about psychological safety and trust with plenty of real-life stories you’ll relate to. In this podcast you’ll discover: why parents have to earn their children’s trust a nuanced understanding of safety and how it applies to trust in parenting ways that God is safe and how parents can follow His example how to build trust even when relationships have challenges the 5 essentials of trust and how to apply them Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects online course (Registration opens next week!) Psalm 22:9 Thursday Parenting Tips Emails – Sign up here Connected Families stickers Trust by Dr. Henry Cloud Dr. Henry Cloud’s website Guest Bio: Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, pastor to pastors, and New York Times bestselling author. His 46 books, including the iconic Boundaries, have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Throughout his storied career as a clinician, he started treatment centers, created breakthrough new models rooted in research, and has been a leading voice on issues of mental health and leadership on a global scale. Dr. Cloud lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lucy. You can find all of his resources at drcloud.com and boundaries.me. Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

It’s nearly time to head back to school, and today’s episode is especially for anyone in a teaching role. Have you ever considered bringing the Connected Families Framework principles to your classroom at school or church? No matter what environment you teach in, you’ll learn to increase your students’ feelings of safety and acceptance while building their character and friendship skills. Listen in for ideas on how to better connect with students. In today’s conversation, Sherry Fiscella (seasoned educator and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share practical ideas for bringing the Connected Families Framework into the classroom. Sherry brings years of experience as a teacher and home educator to show you how you can prepare yourself and set your students up for a great year. In this podcast you’ll discover: ideas for applying the Connected Families Framework in a secular setting ways you can safeguard students from your own stress insight into a student’s challenging behavior and what might be going on under the surface how to build a rhythm for affirming your students’ behavior and character the art of asking effective questions to help students grow instead of just giving directions ideas for teaching kids how to restore friendships after conflict Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course (Registration opens soon!) Why Demanding Respect From Kids Doesn’t Work | Episode 48 Meet Juan and Nita from South Africa (couple running a boarding school) Sign up for Thursday parenting tips emails Psalm 78:4 Connected Families Framework graphic Galatians 6:1 Visit the Connected Families website for more resources on applying the Framework (articles, podcasts, ebooks, etc.) Guest Bio: Sherry has been married for 28 years, and she and her husband, Troy, have two young adult children who are both married. Sherry is a former classroom teacher, school leader, and homeschooling mom who believes that one of the best ways to help kids is to support their parents. With her background in education, she brings a unique perspective and approach to parent coaching with lots of practical ideas to help moms and dads move toward more peaceful, purposeful, and joy-filled parenting. Sherry is also finishing up her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in December and is thankful to the Lord for all that this new season is bringing… from a new career in coaching and counseling… to grandbabies! https://www.sherryfiscella.com/ Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

Life is messy, and sometimes you probably feel like a mess. Your kids might feel like a mess at times too. It’s okay to be a mess! But what can you do when you or your child feels this way? How can you best support your child’s mental health? In today’s podcast, Dr. Caroline Leaf (author, communication pathologist, and mother of 4) joins Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss mental health and her new book, How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess. Dr. Leaf shares her understanding of the mind-brain-body network and shares the practical resources she’s developed to support mental health. In this podcast you’ll discover: the power of your mind to control your brain, body, and how you show up in life that even though you can’t change past experiences, you can heal them what a neurocycle is and how it can help everyone in your family clean up mental messes the analogy of a tree and how you can use it to think about thoughts and experiences ways you and your child can clean up mental messes together why managing mental health is a lifestyle Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: How To Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess Brainee plush toy Neurocycle App Grace & Truth for Moms online course Dr. Leaf on Instagram Dr. Leaf on Facebook Guest Bio: Dr. Caroline Leaf has a Master’s and Ph.D. in Communication Pathology and does ongoing research and clinical trials in order to improve mental health interventions. Her passion is to help people see the power of the mind to change the brain, control chaotic thinking, and find mental peace. She is the host of the top-rated podcast, Cleaning Up the Mental Mess. Dr. Leaf is also the author of several bestselling books, including Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, Switch On Your Brain, Think and Eat Yourself Smart, The Perfect You, Think, Learn, Succeed, and many more. Stop believing lies. About you. Or your kids. Learn to approach motherhood with grace and truth. Take the Grace & Truth for Moms small group course. TELL ME MORE Related PostsHelp! My Anxious Child Cries When Dropped Off at DaycarePractical Tips To Turn Uncontrolled Emotional Outbursts Into Big WinsThe Genius of Letting Go of Homework Struggles in Two Remarkable Stories

Maybe you’ve been there. Your child just doesn’t want to go to school or daycare. You’re not sure if she’s truly anxious and struggling or if she is just being defiant. It’s hard to know what to do, especially if your child is truly distressed and crying while she’s there. Today’s podcast offers some real hope for you if your child is anxious about school or childcare. Dr. Suzy Youngquist (chiropractor and mom of four) and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about kids who are crying at school or daycare. Suzy shares her personal experience with dropping her child off at daycare, and Lynne brings insight and practical tools you can use today. In this podcast you’ll discover: what feeds children’s fear of school/childcare dropoff simple ideas to soothe the fears and address the underlying causes how to use play to understand what your child experiences ways to address your own anxiety about dropping off your child ideas to prep your child’s nervous system for school through connection and play Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Help! My Anxious Child Cries When Dropped Off at Daycare The Invisible String book Sign-up to receive Parenting Tips weekly from Connected Families Guest Bio: Inspired by a real-life story of watching her mom’s life transform through holistic health care, Dr. Suzy Youngquist has a passion to teach and equip others on how to reclaim their lives and well-being. Since opening Revolution’s doors in 2008, Dr. Suzy’s passion for education and equipping has touched thousands of lives through lifestyle education events hosted by her clinic. Dr. Suzy’s journey of motherhood is intimately tied to her heart for full-term, healthy pregnancies and babies, as well as whole families. Today, Suzy is a grateful mom of four incredible kids and wife to her number one cheerleader, Rob! You can find out more about Suzy and her clinic at: revolution-chiropractic.com. 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