Inspiration from this Episode

“That is why when we blend imagination and let it grow into confidence through our conversations.”

“Where you would like to become better, you would like to have more confidence in your skill.”

“I'm going to practice it in my mind, I might even practice some of it out loud by myself.”

088 | Us & Kids: Imagination and Confidence

Intro 

On today’s show, our topic is all about using our imagination to build confidence and this is a timeless podcast because we are always as adults and as kiddos encountering new things and we can either become scared and a little shaky or unsure of ourselves, losing our confidence or we can be confident of ourselves and what we are able to do. 

Imagination plays a significant role in building up and maintaining confidence. Let’s talk, first of all, about what do I mean by imagination? And I think using our imagination is using our brain to...

Inspiration from this Episode

“What I would desire to model would be the skill of being truthful and kind or tactful.”

“We can both be honest and cooperate and that's what we did.”

“Be sure you don't reward the lies, especially when our little ones are talking. I don't mind the storytelling. It's a use of their imagination.”

087 | Us & Kids: Truth or Lie

Intro 

On today’s show, we're going to talk about being honest. Now, honesty can come in many forms, right? Honest to ourselves, honest with others, honest about our emotions. When you hear the word honest, or when someone says to you, oh come on, be honest. How do you respond? 

Are there different levels of honesty? Because then, that begs the question about are there different levels of lies? And what do you want to teach your kids about being honest and about lying? The two conversations sort of go together, don't they?

What You’ll Learn in...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Kids often also have to move when they're anxious because they don't have language to be able to say what's going on.”

“Plan that there is going to be anxiety and then plan so that you can manage it.”

“I'm going to look at my options and I'm going to choose the best one for the moment and for the long haul.”

086 | Us & Kids: Anxiety and Breathing

Intro 

On today’s show, we’re going to talk about anxiety. Anxiety is often physiologically a sense of overwhelming concern, or worry. Because there doesn't seem to be a good way to resolve it and even if it's resolved, there's a worry about what about next time? So it's a worry about things in the future and the unknown things that we don't have control over. 

Sometimes we don't know exactly what we are worried about. We can just feel that concern running around in our heads all the time. So, let’s talk about what to do with...

Inspiration from this Episode 

“Then, they're going to be empowered by your love. They need unconditional love.” 

“There's one more thing that the person bringing support would bring, and that is the ability to think a little bit more clearly.” 

“Because, as you do, your hopes and dreams, your desires for your family relationships and marriage, will come together, because you will become more connected.”

085 | Us & Kids: How Can I Help?

Intro  

On today’s show, we're talking about, "How can I help?" Or, "How can I support?" So, we're going to work our way through the word SUPPORT in an acronym sort of way. But, looking at each letter briefly from both: What if you're looking for support, what would you do?; And, if you're offering support, or being asked to support someone, or help someone, what's your best way to respond? What skill is usually best in that situation? 

You know hanging around...

Inspiration from this Episode 

“And so in the long run it can hold us back from taking more courageous steps because were not sure of the end result.”

“Kids and adults can hear when we’re insincere and when we’re not interested. Use your praise and affirmation in ways that match the intensity of the effort.”

“They need different ways of being encouraged in order to grow that courage inside of them.”

084 | Us & Kids: Encourage

Intro  

It takes a lot of courage to stay married forever while you parent together and it also takes a lot of encouragement to do that. The DNA method of communication often talks about this need for having courage. But also how to use encouragement to help build up the courage. We know this is worth the work, being married forever while you parent together is so very rewarding. 

So today I just wanted to talk a little bit about how do we help each other? How do we encourage...

Inspiration from this Episode 

“Encouragement or having courage we can tell that by somebody who says yes, I can do that.”

“Give your kids some room for grace because self-confidence also comes as we practice something and grow proficient in it.”

“These are people who are compassionate they put other people’s needs before their own without worrying about what they’re going to lose.”

083 | Us & Kids: In Courage

Intro  

On today’s show, were going to talk about being in a space of Courage. So you might think, okay well you know courage is for when there’s something really scary and sometimes just like courage. That’s not a problem. I just go and do what I need to do.  

But do you know why and there are people who get stumped and just can’t seem to move forward or goes so slow? Like what’s taking you so long? This podcast will answer those great questions! Everyday...

Inspiration from this Episode 

“When we eat a good meal, this will help you manage your emotional self, which will keep you calmer and start the day off on the right foot. 

“When we stay away from shameful things, we are now protecting ourselves, because we are worth protecting.” 

“And often, we can stay away from those shameful things by telling the TRUTH to ourselves and to others kindly.”

082 | Us & Kids: EASTER

Intro  

On today’s show, we're going to talk about Easter. But, we're also going to fit that into our desires, and the skills that we need to achieve our desires. This is not a highly spiritual, Christian podcast in terms of that we're not going to talk all about the Jesus part of it. We're going to talk about the good human health part of it. We can make it so that it also works with everyday life, and how does it fit into your spiritual life. 

We are going to break down the word Easter....

Inspiration from this Episode 

“His takeaway from that experience was valid, as was mine, even though our takeaways were a little bit different.”

“What did we want to do if we were ever in such traumatic places again?”

“It’s okay to talk about it. It’s okay to feel it and to relive it and to wonder about it.”

081 | Us & Kids: A Trauma

Intro  

On today’s show, we are going to talk about trauma. Not many of us like to think about it, but probably all of us have it. And trauma impacts families, it impacts marriages and impacts us as individuals. And yet I feel like it’s not very often talked about even though it often impacts how a family and a couple reacts and interacts with things. 

Today we are going to talk mostly from the general perspective about trauma with a little bit of application more towards the end. You will hear some of the DNA process.

What You’ll Learn in...

Inspiration from this Episode 

“Remember that our skin, her skin, absorbs so many good messages about safety and about togetherness, and I’m there for you.” 

“She will reset not instantly but with ups and downs over the next few months.” 

“Because the best parenting here is usually to have some rules, expectations, to have rewards, and to have distractions.”

080 | Us & Kids: Adjusting to a Newborn

Intro  

So today’s show, we are going to talk a little bit more about the DNA process. We’ve been talking a lot about marriages lately and when I wanted to do was say, okay, let’s pay attention to those kiddos. So we’re just going to talk a little bit about one of your hopes and dreams.  

If you’re listening to Us and Kids, you probably had a desire to have a family, and that’s part of what that D is in the DNA. What are your dreams? What are your desires and...

Inspiration from this Episode

“And you’re going to say, I got to think about this a little bit. And both of you are going to take some time to get your heart rate down so that your brain can think.”

“I’m going to begin to understand that this has lots of layers for them in terms of how they think other people see them.”

“Give grace and say it’s okay and we use our adjustment coping skills to not hold a grudge or be harsh with punishment or discipline.”

079 | Us & Kids: A+ for Application

Intro 

Today, I'm glad you joined us because were tying together the last three podcast about upgrading your marriage so that it will last forever, while you also become more awesome parents taking care of your kids together.

We’ve talked about the D, defining your desires, and values. Then we moved on to two other podcasts that talked about the core communication skills we need for living out those values and ways...