The US and KIDS PODCAST

So, Mother’s Day has come and gone, again.  How are you?  Still so glad to be a mom or wondering how long you can hang in there with this mommy stuff?  

Did you entertain all day, were you ignored most of the day, or did the kids and others figure out how to honor you, in a way that was meaningful to you?

 On today’s show we’re talking about being yourself (Me) even while being a Mom.  

Managing so many things, balancing energy, relationships, figuring out how to escape - or connect and how to balance the mom hat with your beautiful wife hat.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• Your personality, pre-motherhood - is still there.  Let “her” out sometimes.  It’s fun!
• Your mental-mass (brain so full of everything) is working very diligently.  Even when you feel like you are a mental-mess, use your mental-mass to sort out the mess. And, yes, sometimes that includes crying, praying and...

Yes, today’s show is for adults, but still rated very G.  

Why?  Because staying in the adult-world after having a baby is really important to your identity as an adult, and your identity with your spouse.  

And those adult identities are also very important to the development of your kiddos as they grow up.  

Yep, I’m hinting at what happens in the room where your (adult) bed is…and how to be sure you still have a space and place that is just “yours” - just you and your spouse’s.  

Of course, to get to that room, mindset and space, some things have to also happen outside of that room like…
Compassion - it helps with the passion, 

Connection - it helps with the “ahem” connection

Attention - it helps with paying attention - like staying awake and mentally there, not elsewhere.

Enjoy using what you re-remember because it’s fun and helps to keep you married well and forever,...

On today’s show we are talking all about parenting, new babies, and pretzels.  One of my daughters would probably say that pretzels were the snack that held her together through the first year of her kiddo’s life.  And, there is good reason for that. 

Pretzels can represent hugs, give a way to pause and think, distract from the depression and anxiety that can swamp new parents, and help couples remember to love and hug each other - and their kiddos. 

We will chat about 10 good ways to help you and your household reset with joy and connection after a new one comes home.  

These tips are good reminders, for your first baby - or your fifth.  

These are good reminders even if your baby, partner or even yourself is (acting like) a toddler, talker or tantrum-maker or teaser.  

So, join us and enjoy some easy upgrades to snacks and home life!  

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• A tiny bit about pretzel...

 On today’s show we will focus on our little persons - who are busy developing their own personalities and preferences…and their own powerful ways of communicating that to us.  

They certainly have a mind and opinion of their own - from the time they are tiny.  And as they grow into toddlers and start school, their mind, words and emotions pop up in so many different ways. 

What are we to do with their tears, insistence and resistance?  

How are we supposed to stay in control when they are out of control and running the show??

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• What and why their brains work as they do - and might learn a thing or two about our brains too! (Think…hot and cool)
• What skills to use - and teach to our kiddos to help their personal control and choices develop in ways that are creative and calming. 
• 7 ways that you can use right now to help self-control be a usual part of your everyday, crazy life...

Do you like to fight?...with your spouse or your kiddos?  Or are you a bit weary of it all?

On the show today we are talking about those fights that seem to just recycle, over and over.  Sometimes, it (seems) settled for years, or months - other times, “it” was settled - for maybe 15 minutes. 

And it’s sooo tiring, confusing, draining. 
Are these fights even finish-able? 

Listen in and learn why these conversations replay repeatedly - and learn the trick to solving them, for real, by being real. 

 Be sure to share this with your friend, and your spouse!

 What you will learn

 ** And… if you are the listener… you would take the time to really listen.

** Arguments that come back to us over and over again are usually ignoring a question that is core to the relationship.

**And that question usually is, "Do I matter to you?"  

Insights

** So we did some Division of labor. 

**It is okay to revisit...

Do you like to read?  Do you like to read those kiddo books over and over?  What do you like to read - short articles? only something funny? Poetry? History? Romance?

Reading is a skill we learn early  - and we need for a lifetime.  And reading other humans is also a skill we learn early - and need for a lifetime.  

And reading words and relationship is a very complex brain skill.  Organizing and understanding all the constructs within language takes us several years to master. 

And understanding all the ways that our spouse or kiddos relate to us is an ongoing, interesting process!  

There are emotions, words, tones, body language, eyes and facial look that all intertwine to make a conversation, even with a little person, full of info that we have to sort through, and decide what to pay attention to!

So today’s show is about how to read other’s language - words, face and body - more accurately. 

Like reading, this...

Remember back when you had the energy to be romantic?  Remember when someone brought your roses - just for fun, not to try to smooth over a rough night or conversation?

Romance and parenting can feel like oil and water  - they might co-exist but they don’t mix.  Many couples begin to believe that the need for sleep and just keeping the household going is the best it’s going to get…for the next maybe 18 years.  

Oh my!  That’s a long time! 

So, enjoy today’s show as we talk about 4 aspects and actions you can do each day to keep your relationship blossoming into beauty - even on the thorny days!

Inspiration:

*Your relationship, your connection with your spouse is more important than whether or not you are right.

*Do you know a little something you can do for your spouse that might seem insignificant to you but really meaningful to them?

*Soft is like gentle. With gentleness, we know that we are strong. Gentle...

Inspiration from this Episode

"Kiddos probably have language or look that will make it very clear to you that you are right on.  Pay attention and use that info for their good growth."

"Some kids just have hard periods of life and they just need someone to walk through and give them some new tools. "

"I wish that I had known that play is the primary language of children before my children were seven and four."

Intro 

 On today’s show, we are talking with a very special person in my life.  My daughter, Tammi, is wise, compassionate and courageous.  Today we hear about her and Phil’s journey,  as they processed their son’s play - and what it was saying about how he was feeling within himself, and with the (covid) world around him. 

 What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• Adding resources for your kiddos is a very kind, loving action.  It is not a sign of incompetence as a parent. 
• Working together,...

Inspiration from this Episode

“When our kiddos are tiny, they mostly need kisses. In some ways they might like it the way the acronym goes, keep it simple and sweet.”

“It's true that chaos, confusion and clutter can impact how a kiddo rests, resets and interacts.”

"Yet when we do take that energy, we often find their fun and funny energy will lighten and brighten our moods."

Intro 

 On today’s show, the joy of having kiddos will re-awaken, perhaps just a bit. Using K.I.D. we will talk about kid-healthy ways to be your best parent!  It’s doable and delightful even when you are dreadfully tired!

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• How to parent with energy, even when you are so weary. 
• That delighting in our kiddos makes parenting more doable.
• Independence and interdependence are a balancing act - for both of you.  

 Resources in Today’s Episode: 

 Join the Us & Kids supportive...

Inspiration from this Episode

“A strong marriage is in part when there is a steady and strong you.  You, as an individual - who can manage emotions, thoughts and words with reasonable grace and truth.”

“The most important unit within your family is the us. - the two of you”

"When you're in unity, when you're connected with each other in this way, it's easier to work together. It's easier to sacrificially support and to move towards mutual goals." 

110 | Us & Kids: Us & Kids: Your “Us” in 2022

Intro 

 On today’s show, we’ll be talking about how to enhance your marriage through the letters U and S.  We’ll think about using unity, understanding, personal growth of yourself with strength and steadiness, no matter the chaos, moods or weariness.   And, together, you will become more united and stable.  

 What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• How to feel stronger...