Connected Families Podcast

If you’re here, your parenting goal is likely to have a connected family. But what do you do when you have a child who is pulling away from you? A child who does not seem to want connection?  Feelings of disconnection from a child can be painful and challenging for a parent. Even in the most “connected” families, this can happen. You are not alone.  In today’s podcast, Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping), and Jim Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) have a conversation about pursuing kids who push away. They share stories from their own parenting journey as they explore practical ideas to pursue a child when connection feels out of reach.   In this podcast you’ll discover: possible reasons why a child may push awayhow a parent’s beliefs and thoughts may influence what’s going on simple questions that can create opportunities for connectionhow to become a student of your child and let them guide you towards connection We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: My Child Wants Nothing To Do With Me. Is There Hope?Matthew 12:342 Corinthians 10:5Ephesians 1Ephesians 2Colossians 3Donate to Connected FamiliesConnected Families Parent Coaching Less arguing. More wisdom. That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course. $35 LEARN MORE

Prayer is a meaningful faith practice that you probably want to pass on to your kids, but teaching your kids to pray may feel overwhelming. You may feel unsure how to answer your kid’s questions about prayer or how to incorporate regular prayer times with them into your daily life. In today’s podcast, Stephanie Thurling (author and co-founder of Raising Prayerful Kids) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to talk about teaching children to pray in meaningful ways.  Stephanie’s experience working with youth and families inspired her to start her ministry equipping parents to pray with their children.   In this podcast you’ll discover: practical tools you can use for how to pray with your child how to create moments of connection through blessing prayersways to use the Bible to guide prayer with your kidscommon pitfalls parents experience when they try to teach their kids to pray (and what to do about them!) We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Parenting Strengths AssessmentLectio DivinaRaising Prayerful Kids BookRaising Prayerful Kids Ministry Guest Bio:  Steph Thurling is co-founder of Raising Prayerful Kids, a ministry that equips parents to pray with their kids in meaningful ways. She has her master’s degree in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and worked in youth ministry for several years before deciding to stay home with her kids. Does your child need help calming down? Would a free course presenting you 7 sensory strategies to calm your child be useful? If yes, take our FREE online course 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids. TELL ME MORE

Your child is done with school (or preschool) for the day and instead of relaxing, you’re now navigating meltdown after meltdown.  Why do the strategies that worked with one child fall flat with another?  Do you find yourself wondering, “Will it always be this way?” In today’s podcast, Lynne Jackson (Occupational Therapist and Connected Families Co-Founder), and Amy Nyvall (seasoned mom and past coaching client) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share ideas on how daily sensory rhythms can bring down the chaos and cultivate more peace in your home.  Through Amy’s story, you’ll learn how daily rhythms that incorporate sensory activities will often help your child avoid meltdowns and reestablish calm in moments of chaos. In this podcast you’ll discover: how to find calm and clarity as a parent to guide your family to take the next step ideas to schedule your day to create a culture of peace in your home ideas to help equip your family through the challenges of mornings, dinner time, and quiet time activities to try when everybody feels off (one even includes chocolate!) We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth! Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course – Coming Early 2023! 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids-FREE online course (this includes the video of Amy’s husband doing the burrito roll with kids) Guest Bio:  Amy and her husband Andrew have been married for 16 years and live among the fir trees outside Portland, Oregon. They enjoy outdoor adventures as much as possible and have a blast homeschooling their three intensely creative, adventurous, and active children. In her spare time, you’ll find Amy encouraging moms and homeschoolers, learning alongside the kids, or slipping away to read from a stack of her own books. Amy is passionate about creating a family culture that equips our children to be prepared to serve the Lord in the days ahead. Take the course that was made for your family. Got a child with extra big emotions? We get it. And we want to support and equip you. Raising an intense and sensitive child isn’t easy, but it can be filled with hope. LEARN MORE

Do you sometimes struggle to think of an appropriate consequence for your child’s misbehavior?  Or dole out punishment only to have your child refuse to accept the punishment? Sigh.  Offering consistent and effective discipline can feel like an ongoing and overwhelming challenge.  In today’s episode, Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping), and Katie Wetsell (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss what effective discipline can look like. (It IS possible!) The conversation explores the messages we send through discipline and how to coach children to be responsible for their actions. In this podcast you’ll discover: 3 key questions to ask in any discipline situationhow to work with your child as a team for more effective disciplinethe opportunity in discipline to offer and receive God’s grace and forgivenesshow to help your child see the natural impacts of their behaviorhow to guide your child to “make it right” how “paused privileges” can help motivate a child  We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk 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 Connected Families Parent Coach CertificationConnected Families Parent CoachingConnected Families PodcastGalatians 6:7  Guest Bio:  Katie Wetsell is our Discipline That Connects online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their families with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org. You can help your child with their anger. Learn how to break the addictive anger cycle. Get the FREE ebook, Helping Kids With Anger.

In today’s episode, Corrie and Alan Thetford (founders of Building Wise Families and Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss how to help our children want to calm down when they are experiencing big emotions. The conversation explores what’s going on in us as parents when we try to make our child calm down, the role of empathy in supporting our child’s big emotions, and what’s going on beneath the surface of our child’s big outburst.   In this podcast, you’ll discover: what’s happening in your child’s brain and body that makes them not want to calm downhow your good intentions to make your child stop or take a break during a meltdown can actually escalate emotionsempathy’s role in helping your child feel understood and able to move through big emotions so they want to calmwhy something small is often the trigger for your child’s cascade of emotion We hope that you have been encouraged by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk 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  Connected Families Parent CoachingConnected Families Coaching Certification programCorrie & Alan Thetford’s Podcast – Building Wise Families Guest Bio:  Alan and Corrie 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.   You can help your child with their anger. Learn how to break the addictive anger cycle. Get the FREE ebook, Helping Kids With Anger.

“Why are you so mad all the time?” Do you ever hear this from your child? You probably don’t intend to look mad. You may not even be aware of your furrowed brow or irritated expression. And it’s especially hard to keep your cool in the heat of the moment when your child pushes your buttons. But what message does your expression send to your child? Sure, you could try to put on a happy face and force a polite smile, but it’s not the most effective or long-term solution. So what can you do to keep things truly calm? In today’s podcast, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Co-Founders of Connected Families) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to dig deep into an important principle of the Connected Families Framework. At the foundation level of the framework, you learn to move from “fast, large, and loud” to “slow, low, and listen.” This helps kids feel safe during discipline. Often, parents leverage fear and intensity to “change” kids’ behavior. But kids read facial expressions more than anything else. Have you ever noticed your child looking at your face and listening to the tone of your voice to discern if they are truly safe? So how do you show up safe for your kids? At Connected Families, we start with the question, “What’s going on in me?” and “What does my child see on my face in times of discipline?” When you are able to do this inner work, your calm demeanor toward your kids can be a true reflection of a peaceful heart, not just a contrived calm. Then you can have the emotional capacity to help your struggling child. This will help guide them toward wisdom, connection, and grace, with true compassion.  In this podcast, you’ll learn: how to work toward becoming truly calm on the inside, not just on the outsidepractical tools for the heat of the moment to help you regulate your nervous system (and then help your child regulate too!)the science of creating brain pathways that can help you respond better in future discipline situationsthe transforming power of the principles in the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, and the beautiful testimony of one mom’s parenting journey through the course We hope that you have been helped by today’s podcast, and we look forward to getting to know you. Please check out our website, and don’t forget to reach out if you need help. It is a joy to be able to walk 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 courseFramework magnetConnected Families FrameworkMichael McKnightDo-oversBible verses: 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 2:10, Mark 6:34 In the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, you’ll learn 4 key messages that all kids long to hear. You’ll be equipped to move into frustrating moments of misbehavior to lead with grace, not fear or anger. Register today! The course begins on October 4th. 4 simple messages.1 simple framework. Get the FREE ebook, and start your journey toward better, more connective discipline in your home. Related PostsChildhood Wounds: What They Are & How To Free Your Parenting of ThemKids and Misbehavior: Is It Sin? Or Something Else? | Ep. 108Power Struggles: Why We Get Stuck In Them & How to Move Toward Problem Solving

Is it sin when my child misbehaves? Or is there something else going on under the surface? What is gentle parenting? What is biblical parenting? This topic is definitely making the rounds right now on social media, in churches, and in our homes. It can be overwhelming and confusing. What is true? What does the Bible really say about all of this? If you are struggling with all the controversy around this topic, you are in good company with so many other parents, and you will not want to miss this episode! In today’s podcast, Stacy Bellward is joined by Lynne Jackson (Occupational Therapist and Connected Families Co-Founder) and Amanda Erickson (Co-Founder of Flourishing Homes and Families) to sift through and decipher the many messages we get as parents about the topic of sin and misbehavior. They discuss the importance of understanding underlying issues, being able to connect with your child, and seeing the opportunity to set your child up for success in the moment and for the future.            Our best parenting leaves our kids eager to receive the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit, as we model the grace and reconciliation we all receive from Jesus. When you prioritize this kind of connection, you equip your child to grow in wisdom and in their God-given purpose. In this podcast, you’ll learn about: teaching the beauty of repentance without the shame, celebrating the growing process, and leaving the job of conviction to the Holy Spirit             Ancient Hebrew culture, and how their understanding of childhood can bring context to the biblical wisdom that informs your parentinghow aspects of brain science align with biblical parenting, and how it can bring a tender perspective to your parenting as you disciple your growing childpractical and biblical ways you can respond with love in misbehavior to help calm and guide your child toward wisdom and connection Has this podcast been helpful to you today? If so, would you mind taking a minute to share it with other parents who need some encouragement too? You can also subscribe to this podcast. We want to share God’s grace and truth with more parents just like you. Have questions? Please reach out, we are here to help! Mentioned in this podcast: 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids: The FREE Online CourseFlourishing Homes and FamiliesPerspectives on Spanking FREE ebook Doctrine of Grace in Parenting podcast Ep.96Dr. John TaylorConnected Families FrameworkConnected Families FREE ResourcesDiscipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online CourseScripture verses: Romans 7,8, Ezekiel 18:20, Jeremiah 19:4,5, Deuteronomy 1:39, Isaiah 7:16, Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV), Prov 22:15 (HCSB), Philippians 2:4, Romans 7:15, Exodus 4:11-17, 1 Kings19:1-9, John 11:17-44, Luke 22:7-62, John 21:15-17, Luke 6:37 Guest bio: Amanda Erickson is passionate about helping moms be less stressed and angry so they can flourish in their motherhood. This passion is born out of her own experience with postpartum anxiety, rage, and anger. She delights in linking arms with other mamas so they know that gentle, peaceful, grace-based parenting isn’t only Scripturally sound—it’s actually possible! An artist and free spirit, she is most in her element when she is speaking or creating. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from BMA Theological Seminary. Amanda and her husband David have been married for 17 years, have two boys, and currently reside in East Texas. Learn more about the Framework Want to dig deeper into Connected Families’ Parenting Framework? Get our FREE ebook, What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build Identity.

What difference does the gospel make in our lives? In our parenting?  The message of God’s love communicates the unconditional truth that each of us has been made in the image of God. Our connection with Jesus brings hope and transformation to every area of our lives.  The love and grace of God is the source of everything we do at Connected Families. One of the things that sets us apart is that we work to make scripture practical for parents. The Bible is our sure foundation and the first resource we consider in our teaching. Today’s podcast is the first of two podcasts about how the gospel informs the Connected Families Framework. Stacy Bellward (podcast host) is joined by Connected Families Co-Founders Jim and Lynne Jackson to discuss how being a new creation in Christ can bring change into every part of our lives–including the everyday trials of parenting!  We can live rooted and grounded in Jesus and put our trust in Him instead of the outcomes we’re looking for with our children. We can build our identity as redeemed children of God, bestowed with every spiritual blessing and created for God’s purpose and design. This abundant life in Christ then pours out and blesses those around us, especially our children!     In this podcast: In today’s podcast, you will discover how the gospel is infused into the first three levels of our Framework: “You are SAFE with me.” Jesus is there to help you when you feel anxious or overwhelmed. He can help you explore, “What’s going on in me?” In Christ, you have the ability to be ok, even when your kids are not ok, because your identity is in Jesus.  “You are LOVED no matter what.” Neither you nor your child has to do something or change before Jesus loves you. Misbehavior is the golden opportunity to show unconditional love to your kids. “You are CALLED and CAPABLE.” The deeper you are able to receive God’s grace and truth for yourself, the more peace and confidence you can embrace as you coach your kids. God will partner with you as you help them grow in His purpose for their life.  Stay tuned for the second part of this podcast, “Kids and Misbehavior: Is it sin? Or something else?” as we continue the conversation about the gospel and the Connected Families Framework. You won’t want to miss the eye-opening discussion about the last level of the Framework, “You are RESPONSIBLE for your actions.” In the meantime check out our FREE resources! Helpful resources mentioned in this podcast: 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids: The FREE Online Course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Framework Scripture verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 1 and 2, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:16-18, Psalm 139, Galatians 4:4-6, James 1, Romans 5:8, Luke 15:11-32 What are your parenting strengths? You’ve got them. Knowing your strengths will help you become the best parent you can be. Knowing your parenting challenges is useful information too. Take our FREE ASSESSMENT.

“These clothes are itchy!” “I can’t eat this, it’s mushy!” Meltdowns at bedtime. High energy at mealtime. Lots of big feelings about everything! There is usually at least one child like this in every family! If your child freaks out easily and you can relate, it is very possible that you are parenting a sensitive and intense child. What do we mean by sensitive and intense? It’s not an official medical term or a diagnosis. It’s simply a descriptive way to guide how we look at the kiddos that become easily overwhelmed with everyday life. These kids are more sensitive to the world around them and struggle to become calm and regulated. They often think more deeply, react more loudly, and probably consume a lot of your energy as a parent! On today’s podcast, Stacy Bellward is joined by Lynne Jackson (Co-Founder of Connected Families and Occupational Therapist) and Lydia Rex (RN and Connected Families Parent Coach) to bring you compelling information that will transform how you see your sensitive and intense kids. You will feel equipped to care for your child by approaching their challenges through the lens of their nervous system, and not just from a behavioral standpoint.  When you meet the sensory needs of your child, it enables you to focus on forming deep bonds of connection instead of just striving for conflict management. Parenting a sensitive and intense child is actually an amazing gift when we see their potential and build their identity around God’s grace and truth in their lives. In this podcast, you’ll discover: what sensory challenges may look like in your child, and how to look beneath the surface of their misbehaviorthe brain science: What is happening in your child’s brain and body when they struggle with sensory overload?how to cultivate a mindset of connection as you meet your child’s sensory needspractical strategies (from years of experience!) to help your child regulate their nervous system and feel more calm Do you have a sensitive and intense child? You are not alone and God’s grace abounds for you and your family. If you need further help we offer Parent Coaching and would love to work with you as you seek to parent in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids: The Free Online CourseEpisode 89: A Powerful New Perspective for ParentingEpisode 93: Help! Homeschooling is OverwhelmingEphesians 2:10Isaiah 40:11Connected Families Framework Guest bio: Lydia Rex is a registered nurse, wife, and mother of two and has worked with families in many capacities throughout her career and personal life. She’s been a student of Connected Families since 2014 and continues to find it incredibly life-giving for her own family. Areas of her experience/special interest include foster care and adoption, attachment difficulties, developmental and learning disabilities including FASD. She brings a trauma-informed perspective to the Connected Families framework, and the desire to see families find peace and healing even in the midst of challenges! Use our “Contact Us” form to connect with Lydia. You can also follow Lydia on Instagram @lydia.cfcoach Do you have one really intense child? Or a couple? Almost every family in the Connected Families community has at least one child who is more sensitive and more intense than most other kids. Often what “worked” for your other kids doesn’t seem to “work” for this intense child! It’s a game-changer when you learn some new skills and can truly understand and empathize with that sensitive and intense child. Check out our newest FREE online mini-course, “7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids.” You’ll be equipped with skills to help your sensitive and intense child navigate life. Register today!

Not all families who have been formed through adoption have experienced what is discussed on this podcast. Regardless of how your family was formed, or the challenges you have in your home, there is a wide range of experiences when it comes to compassion fatigue. If you’re struggling to feel joy and hope in your relationship with your child you might be feeling compassion fatigue. Especially if, for a variety of reasons, your child needs extra care and support. You love your child so much, but it can be hard to see the needs of your child when you feel emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to help them. Compassion fatigue is real, and it is more common than you might think. In our decades of interacting with families, we have seen an increase in parents in need of hope and help in the midst of daily struggles. You can find hope today from a place of faith, instead of gritting, exhausting, self-effort. Whether your child is struggling with trauma, sensory issues, attachment, abuse, shame, or just the daily struggles of life, this episode is for you! In today’s podcast, Stacy Bellward is joined by Lynne Jackson (Co-Founder of Connected Families) and special guests David and Colleen Little, TBRI practitioners and founders of Imago Hearts. David and Colleen have extensive experience, both in the US and internationally, helping parents who are raising children with histories of abandonment, abuse, and neglect. They dig deep with us today and talk about the importance of understanding attachment, and of doing our own inner work as parents. Then, the grace and mercy of Jesus in our lives can overflow into our relationship with our child in safety, connection, and compassion. You can experience hope and healing in your own heart, and bring that same hope to your struggling child as well. With God’s grace and help, you can look within to understand how your own history, wounds, and attachment have shown up in your life and in your parenting. Healing those wounds can lead to insight about yourself, and that leads to a deeper capacity to offer mercy and compassion to your child.     In today’s podcast, you’ll discover: symptoms of compassion fatigue, and why you might be struggling with this the vital role that attachment plays in the relational stress you’re experiencing with your child practical steps to work through compassion fatigue and the importance of self-care how to work through the first level of the Connected Families Framework  (“You are SAFE with me.”) to gain insight into your own needs, and then to better meet the needs of your child Resources mentioned in this podcast: 7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids online mini-course (free!) Imago Hearts ministry  Does Attachment Style Matter? (podcast with Milan and Kay Yerkovich) Connected Families Framework Connected Families free resources Are you struggling with compassion fatigue? Perhaps feeling isolated? You were never meant to travel this path alone! Please reach out to us and let us know how we can help. We also have Certified Parent Coaches who are ready to help you one-on-one in your parenting journey. We look forward to connecting with you! Guest Bio: David and Colleen Little live in Prior Lake, Minnesota. They are qualified practitioner trainers of the Trust-Based Relational Intervention model taught by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Childhood Development at Texas Christian University. David and Colleen are also registered trainers of the Circle of Security Parenting intervention. Colleen has a master’s degree in Speech Therapy from Mankato State and David has a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Infant Mental Health from The University of Minnesota. Their ministry, imago hearts, focuses on helping parents who are raising children with histories of abandonment, abuse, and neglect. In addition to training and coaching parents in Minnesota, they have partnerships with NGOs in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Poland. You can find more information about David and Colleen on their website: imagohearts.org. Do you have one really intense child? Or a couple? Almost every family in the Connected Families community has at least one child who is more sensitive and more intense than most other kids. Often what “worked” for your other kids doesn’t seem to “work” for this intense child! It’s a game-changer when you learn some new skills and can truly understand and empathize with that sensitive and intense child. Check out our newest FREE online mini-course, “7 Practical Calming Strategies for Kids”. You’ll be equipped with skills to help your sensitive and intense child navigate life. Register today! Related Posts100 Truth Phrases to Keep You GoingAnna’s Story: When Traditional Parenting Just Doesn’t Cut ItDoes Attachment Style Matter? | Ep. 101My Misconceptions About Adoption—And, Well, All ParentingParenting Kids from Hard Places with Unique Needs | Ep. 45