Connected Families Podcast

Do you ever wish you had a parent coach in your living room to support you in your biggest parenting dilemmas? Well, we’ve got the next best thing. Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) has developed an all-new, research-based small group curriculum for the Sensitive & Intense Kids online course. When you join a small group, a Certified Connected Families Parent Coach will guide you through the course and offer practical, grace-filled suggestions for your biggest parenting challenges. Today’s podcast is a little taste of some of the questions parents submitted during a recent Q&A session for the course. The responses come from the course facilitators: Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex, and Katie Wetsell, our course facilitator. This course’s new small group option allows you to create rich connections with other parents of sensitive and intense kids and a Certified Connected Families Parent Coach to answer your questions. Check it out! In this podcast you’ll discover: how to discern what type of response your child needs when struggling (connection, coaching, and/or correction) a fresh perspective on letting your child “off the hook” during tough moments ideas to support a child who needs creativity to remain regulated throughout the day how structure and routine can help your child self-regulate how motivation and wisdom are significant considerations for older kids ways to weigh risk and reward with your older child 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: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course Small Group Info Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course Daily Sensory Rythyms podcast with Amy Nyvall | Episode 112 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 Related Posts3 Unexpected Parenting Strategies to Help Your Highly Sensitive Child ThriveDaily Sensory Rhythms To Bring Peace to Your Home | Ep 112Want To Know Your Child’s Strengths?

This podcast episode is the conclusion of a podcast we released about the power of forgiveness and teaching that to our children. It is full of practical application and deep insight into the profound impact of forgiveness on our physical, spiritual, and mental health. It dives deep into the grace and mercy of Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s forgiveness. If you have not yet listened to the first part of this podcast, please do that before listening to the conclusion. LISTEN TO PART 1 How do you teach forgiveness to your kids?  Before we can guide our kids toward true forgiveness, we need to check our own understanding of God’s mercy and forgiveness for us.  Check out Part 1 of this podcast before you listen to the conclusion for the full benefit. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Do you want more peace at home? And for your kids to enjoy each other? And to reconcile when they hurt each other? If peace is your goal, take the Sibling Conflict online course. LEARN MORE

How do you teach forgiveness to your kids? You probably want to guide them toward the true forgiveness that Christ’s work accomplished. That takes time and intention. Forced apologies can make a conflict blow over quickly, but resentment often lingers. Before we can guide our kids toward true forgiveness, we need to check our own understanding of God’s mercy and forgiveness for us. In this two-part episode, Melissa Coleman (Senior Principal Counsel and CEO of Coleman Law and Consulting) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about how to teach forgiveness through a “mercy trial.” Melissa brings her expertise as a lawyer to share her unique perspective while bringing scripture and practical steps to guide you and your kids toward mercy and forgiveness. In this two-part podcast you’ll discover: what a “mercy trial” is, and how to conduct one ways a mercy trial can help you to overcome offenses committed against you the power of writing out offenses (charges) and then relinquishing them to Christ prayers for applying Christ’s mercy to those who’ve hurt you ways applying mercy can help you live free of baggage from the past how to teach forgiveness and mercy to your children the importance of developing and protecting a “posture of mercy” how to apply mercy when your children hurt you that you can forgive people who hurt your kids 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. Listen to the conclusion of this podcast This podcast is in two parts, and we highly encourage you to listen to the full podcast to receive the full benefit. The conclusion of this podcast can be heard by clicking the link below. LISTEN TO THE CONCLUSION Mentioned in this podcast: Sibling Conflict online course Value of Restoration podcast | Episode 140 Matthew 18 James 2:13 Luke 6:31 Romans 8:1 Teach Forgiveness thru Mercy Prayers from Melissa Releasing mercy over the perpetrators in my life: Loving Father and Righteous Judge, I summon [name] to the heavenly courts. [Name] I charge you with [offenses-list them individually]. You are guilty of these charges and deserving of punishment. However, because Jesus chose to extend mercy to me for a debt I could never repay, I choose to extend this same mercy to you for your offenses against me. Jesus, I ask that you not count [name]’s sins against him/her. I hereby break the power of condemnation off of you, [name], and I declare you acquitted, forgiven, and free. I also hereby break every tie I have had with the accuser against [name]. Enemy, you no longer have power over me and no legal right to torment me. I will not be lured back in by you or commit double jeopardy. I break off my relationship with you now against [name] for good. ©Melissa Coleman Releasing mercy over myself when there’s been prolonged unforgiveness: Loving Father and Righteous Judge, I put myself in the defendant’s seat in your heavenly court, and I charge myself with the offense of unforgiveness against [name] for [amount] years. Although I am guilty of this sin of unforgiveness and deserving of punishment, I plea the blood of Jesus, and I release Jesus’ mercy over myself, so my sin will not be counted against me. I hereby break off the power of the enemy to accuse and condemn me for this sin. I declare myself acquitted, forgiven, and set free in Jesus’ name. ©Melissa Coleman Guest Bio: Melissa Coleman has been practicing law for 25 years and currently serves as the Senior Principal and CEO of Coleman Law & Consulting, a Twin Cities-based firm specializing in serving churches, faith-based organizations, and small to mid-sized businesses. Coleman is recognized for her extensive work in advancing human rights in both domestic and international arenas, as well as for advocating for the rights of citizens to freely exercise their religious beliefs in their public and professional lives. Coleman and a small team of lawyers launched a nonprofit network of faith-based attorneys in her state, and she has served and continues to serve on numerous boards and advocacy teams. Coleman and her husband of 26 years have five fantastic kids (three adults and two teens) and a village of young people in their lives. What Melissa loves most in life is helping people get free and stay free! Do you want more peace at home? And for your kids to enjoy each other? And to reconcile when they hurt each other? If peace is your goal, take the Sibling Conflict online course. LEARN MORE

Have you wondered if there is anything you can do to be proactive about the inevitable conflicts in your home? Many parents just want the fighting to stop, but what if you focused instead on restoring relationships? Jesus completed the ultimate restoration through the cross, and as you value this wonderful restoration, you can begin to bring peace and joy to your family. In today’s podcast, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founders) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about building the value of restoration in your family. Jim and Lynne are passionate about this topic and use scripture and their own experiences to offer a hope-filled picture of reconciliation for families. In this podcast you’ll discover: how to develop a mindset of reconciliation that is rooted in Jesus Christ the importance of modeling restoration in your own relationships practical ideas you can use in the midst of conflict to show Christ’s gentleness and compassion why joy is the key difference between solving problems and restoration ways you can proactively prepare for restoring relationships in the future 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: Sibling Conflict online course Contact Us if you’d like to connect about the content of this conversation Galatians 6:1-2 Matthew 5:23-24 Do you want more peace at home? And for your kids to enjoy each other? And to reconcile when they hurt each other? If peace is your goal, take the Sibling Conflict online course. LEARN MORE Related PostsHelp! My Kids Are Constantly FightingHow To Help Siblings Stop Fighting All the Time | Ep. 139Why Do Siblings Fight So Much? The Good News and the Bad News

Do you feel like your kids are fighting all the time? They might be bickering, crying, or yelling, and you might feel exasperated and wonder how to turn things around. Conflicts will always be part of family relationships, but you can learn how to help kids stop fighting all the time and bring a richer connection to your family. In today’s conversation, Katie Johnson (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host) give you a taste of Connected Families’ online course: Sibling Conflict: From Bickering to Bonding. They unpack a tool from the course called “The Peace Process” and give examples of how you could use it with your kids today. In this podcast, you’ll discover: how to help your kids move from “Crazy Mountain” to true reconciliation when conflicts arise practical ideas to help your kids calm down before taking steps to resolve a situation how to stop siblings fighting all the time by building their understanding and value for one another ways to empower your kids to “make it right” with their own ideas the importance of celebrating when a conflict is resolved 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: Sibling Conflict Online Course – Register Today! 50 Self-Regulation Activities to Empower Your Child to Calm [Podcast] Why “Calm Down!” Doesn’t Work | Ep. 110 Guest Bio: Katie Johnson is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and lives in Madison, WI, with her family. She worked for many years in education and is now beginning the homeschool journey with her 3 young children. She received her M.Ed. from Valparaiso University and currently serves on the board of Safe Families, Dane County. You can find out more about Katie on our Coaching page. Do you want more peace at home? And for your kids to enjoy each other? And to reconcile when they hurt each other? If peace is your goal, take the Sibling Conflict online course. LEARN MORE

Do you ever feel like you have to tell your young child over and over again to do something? Parents often feel the need to tell, yet telling can lead to defensiveness and power struggles. Asking questions, on the other hand, engages your child’s whole brain and can lead to more positive interactions. You can encourage critical thinking, grow responsibility and emotional awareness, as well as build wisdom in your child when you ask instead of tell. In today’s podcast, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder), and Lydia Rex and Pam Thompson (Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about how to encourage critical thinking in kids. These experts share plenty of real-life scenarios and practical questions you can start using today to grow cooperation, connection, and wisdom with your young child. In this podcast you’ll discover: how Jesus guided His disciples with questions the importance of keeping a light-hearted attitude when asking questions situations where you could feel stuck and what might be going on with your child practical ideas to use with young children who struggle to answer questions ways you can use “I wonder” statements to engage your child the purpose and power of “3 Yeahs” 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: The Power of Questions online course – Name Your Own Price! Mark 8 Guest Bio: Lydia Rex is a registered nurse turned Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner and parent coach to families with young kids, especially those who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. No stranger to challenges in the parenting journey, Lydia offers empathy, encouragement, and a deep commitment to walking alongside parents with the Connected Families Framework. It’s her joy to see God’s grace healing the hearts of parents and children. Lydia, her husband Kyle, and their two kids live in Iowa, where they enjoy homeschooling, outdoor activities, and reading lots of books. Pam Thompson is a Licensed Family and Early Childhood Educator as well as a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. She is a mom of two young adult children and “like a mom” to two young adults who have experienced extensive trauma. Because of her education and experiences, she especially enjoys encouraging and supporting parents of young children, parents of young adult children, parents of kids from hard places, and teachers. Less arguing. More wisdom. That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course. $35 LEARN MORE Related PostsI Was a Critical Parent: 6 Steps I Took to Find a More Loving WayKids Don’t Listen? How to Stop Lecturing and Start Asking Better QuestionsPractical Tips To Turn Uncontrolled Emotional Outbursts Into Big Wins

“My child argues with everything I say!” Has that thought ever crossed your mind? Whether your child is 5 or 15, you can find yourself wrapped up in the dynamics of arguing, defensiveness, and power struggles. Thankfully, there is hope to break out of this pattern with some curiosity, questions, and a light-hearted attitude.   In today’s episode, Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about kids who love to argue and what parents can do about it. Chad and Stacy co-authored an online course called “The Power of Questions”. They share more about the course and offer practical ideas to change the dynamics of arguing in your home.  In this podcast you’ll discover: why some kids are prone to argue and where the pattern of defensiveness may begin that Jesus sets an example for asking questions (over 300 recorded in the Bible!) the importance of your curiosity and light-hearted attitude ways you can activate your child’s mind and build wisdom when you switch from “telling” to “asking” how asking questions can help you let go of managing your child’s behavior and owning their problems that building wisdom is a journey with your child 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: Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program The Power Questions: Less Arguing, More Wisdom – Name Your Own Price Today!  Ephesians 2:10 Less arguing. More wisdom. That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course. $35 LEARN MORE Related Posts3 Powerful Questions to Transform Your Parenting | Ep. 136My Child Wants Nothing to Do With Me. Is There Hope?Want To Know Your Child’s Strengths?

Dads…today’s episode is especially for you. As a father, you probably have a lot of good intentions for your children. Do you ever wonder, though, if your parenting style gets in the way of your good intentions? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. If you find your parenting goals and actions are sometimes out of alignment, there are some practical ideas to help you get back on track.   In today’s podcast, Jim Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Trevor Thurling (Connected Families Board Member) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation just for dads around some transformational questions for parenting. Trevor shares his journey that changed his parenting, and Jim equips you to bring your good intentions to your child’s heart.       In this podcast you’ll discover: how to show love instead of getting caught up in compliance three key questions to begin to transform your parenting the biblical basis for embracing humility and mutual submission that Jesus models how to create an atmosphere of safety through love how you can open up conversations with your kids by sharing about your own growth as a parent 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: Submit your own Welcome Message for the Connected Families Podcast Ephesians 5 & 6 Connected Families Parent Coaching  Guest Bio:  Trevor Thurling is a member of the Connected Families’ Board of Directors. With over 15 years of helping multinational companies, Trevor is a strategic thinker who leverages the power of human connections to build deeper relationships. He is a vocal proponent of the Connected Families Framework, having experienced the impact on his own family firsthand. Trevor and his wife, Stephanie, have three elementary-aged children, and he enjoys attending his kids’ activities and traveling. Less arguing. More wisdom. That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course. $35 LEARN MORE

Imagine your family working together to solve problems. Sounds amazing, right? But how do you get there? Busy schedules and personality differences can make “working together” seem like a big challenge. Thankfully, you can develop a practice to pull everyone together, have fun, and build wisdom. In today’s podcast, Corrie and Alan Thetford (Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about the positive impacts of family meetings. The discussion offers real-life examples and practical steps for family meetings with kids of any age (think toddlers to college students!). In this podcast you’ll discover: the many reasons why family meetings are a big win how to set a light-hearted and fun tone for a family meeting and focus on connection four steps to solve a problem using family teamwork that family meetings are a safe, predictable place to practice for real-life situations and scenarios your kids may encounter wisdom for replacing nagging with curious questions 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: Power of Questions – Name Your Own Price campaign Guest Bio: Corrie and Alan Thetford have four children and are Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches as well as instructors for CF coaches-in-training. They are passionate about multiplying the gospel by helping families transform power struggles and conflicts into opportunities for gospel messages. Less arguing. More wisdom. That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course. $35 LEARN MORE

Let’s get outside! No matter where you live (we have listeners all over the world!), getting outside is so good for so many reasons–for us and our kids. Sometimes getting outside means facing some challenges as well–poor weather, pesky insects, and even bad attitudes. It is possible to harness those challenges to build resilience, character, and memories in and with our kids. In today’s podcast, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founders) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about the rewards that await when you take your family outside. (You can even get them outside to help them see God in nature!) In Lynne’s words, “It takes resilience on the part of parents and kids to get outside, but the benefits are huge–physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” In this podcast you’ll discover: the game-changing impact of the phrase, “I want to go outside.” ways you can model appreciating the outdoors for your kids creative ideas to help your family be intentional about spending time in nature that natural conversations about God happen when you are outside and may actually help kids see God in nature that nature provides ample opportunities to grow resilience and character in our kids (and us!) 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: Psalm 8:3-4 60 Creative Ways to Get Kids Moving and Laughing FREE PDF Make a donation to Connected Families today! 60 Ways to Get Kids Moving and Laughing Fun movement helps keep everyone sane! This list of over 60 ideas includes activities to calm angsty kids, as they also gain strength, balance, and coordination… all with a good dose of learning and laughter. GET THE FREE GUIDE