Values are extremely valuable when it comes to understanding others.  They are also very valuable when it comes to communicating as a parent and within our marriages.    But, we have to start with defining a value, and then understanding that how we live out that value will also impact how others (kids, spouses/partners) build relationships with us.   If we value kindness, but are rude to those we don't know, or diss our spouse in public, then others will certainly wonder if they can trust the kindness from us as having integrity. Certainly, who we say we are is far more impactful when we also live into that identity.  So, our show today is about values, and how to live them well so that our kiddos can also develop the identity and character that is strong and true.  Listen in, share it with a friend, and use a tip or two for becoming more of your best self!

Happy Father's Day!   Although, to be truthful, Dad's are needed everyday!  And so, today, we talk with 3 dads...all with 3 kids...about the highs, lows, learnings and growth they've experienced since becoming dads.  Learn from them, know that you are not alone in the challenges of fatherhood.  And then, upgrade in whatever ways are best for you!   Real dad on today! ~Jan

On today’s show, Rachel Johnson Greer will talk with us about what to look for in all those online purchases.  Her work in Amazon compliance and helping online sellers understand the manufacturing and distribution laws puts her in a unique position to inform us about how to discern a safe purchase from ones to be cautious about. Her book, “No Dead Babies” comes from the days when she and her team sighed in deep relief when at the end of the day they did not have to take a call from a grieving parent.  All too often were the conversations from these parents sharing how their child died because of faulty manufacturing or packaging. Join us, learn about how to discern a safe product and package from others.  Your knowledge will extend from baby products to household and sporting purchases. This is worth your time!

Welcome to the Us And Kids Podcast! We are talking today about how to create smooth transitions  - for our kiddos, and for our selves.  It's spring, moving into summer, and often those schedules around school, day care, social spaces and places create good times, and trying times.  Our kiddos often don't understand going to sleep when it's still light outside -and we forget to get them to bed on time, because it is light outside and it feels so good to relax into the evening. But then, that price to pay, the next morning! So, what are some clues and tricks for helping changes (not just around seasons or DLSavings time) be less challenging. Working together, making good plans, and adjusting plans are important skills.  And when our kiddos ( or our spouse, and our self) are struggling to find the energy to make the mindset and behavior shift necessary, we can come next to them with grace and patience. Because, of course, transitions take time and tenderness, and often a family team to make it happen.

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.

Yes, today’s show is for adults, (but still rated very G.) Why?  Because staying in the adult-world after having a baby is very 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, even while you parent your kiddos together!

On today’s show we are talking all about parenting, new babies, and pretzels.  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!

Are you struggling with the noise, tears and screams in your house?  A simple request turns into tempers, tantrums and trouble? And, you are supposed to stay calm, cool and collected?  Really? Join us for this short, yet info-packed time of teaching about what self-control is, and how to build it into the fabric of your parenting, as well as your psyche. Parenting is not easy. Teaching, learning and using self-control in your everyday life really helps with being joyfully married forever while you parent together! Share this podcast, what you learn and the printable with your friends and family and fun, joy will be everywhere!

Do you like to fight?...with your spouse or your kiddos? 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!

Married, with kiddos?  What kind of reading are you doing - newsfeed, kids’ books, whatever is short and quick?   Reading is a skill we would be troubled to be without.  And, it is one of the most complex skills we need to learn. Relationships also require a lot of reading.  And a lot of comprehending what we just read.  Body language, tone of voice, look in the eyes, touch, all play into how we “read” those we are in relationship with. Enjoy this show about how to read each other with grace, understanding and joy.  Relationship reading is tricky, and worth the effort! Thanks for joining and sharing with a friend!

We all know that romance and roses are supposed to go together.  And we know that the romance can wear down, as the roses wilt.  And what fun is that? Today’s show is about how to keep that treasured romance between the two of you alive and beautiful using four easy to remember ideas. Enjoy and share!

Tammi chats with us about how she knew her son (and family) needed more support - and how she pursued getting the right support to help Isaac reset his world view (that was influenced by Covid) so that peace could be a more normal part of interacting and being.  Good work for a good win for Tammi, Phil and Isaac!

Parenting little ones - are you kidding??  They just run all over me and wear me out! In today’s podcast we’ll talk about kiddos - and how to enjoy them more, keep parenting doable and even have great kindness, insight and delight when it’s bedtime!  Join us!

U.S. …Us...together forever.  Or is it together, just barely? Listen in for some great words using the two letters - U and S - to help your reset and upgrade your marriage into a great place of Unity and Strength!

Finally - or fastly - 2021 is almost done! We are into our 3rd year of bringing you bi-weekly podcasts to help you be married forever while you enjoy parenting your kiddos together! So, today, we’re going to round out the year with just some pithy thoughts and sentences that make sense but don’t take long enough to each make a whole podcast. You know, it’s sort of like cleaning out your fridge - not enough leftovers to make a meal, but some tasty tidbits that you can just eat with your fingers when no one is looking. So let’s dive in and end this year well.

So it's December. Do you feel a little bit crazy? Like maybe the world is always spinning and you try to jump on, but tumble off, embarrassingly. Or maybe from time to time you secretly bumble and jump off. Or do you thrive under the chaos? Or does the chaos thrive inside of you - eating your brain, your sanity, yourself, and your relationships? Well, it's often called National Chaos Day. Not particularly this specific day, but a day in November is National Chaos Day. And I think we could do better by calling it just National Chaos Season.  Join us for a chat about how to calm the chaos and make it sanely into 2022!

Let me ask you, "Are you ready?" "For what??", you might ask. For learning about how to loosen up and lighten up, even in the midst of November and December. What do you think when you hear those words loosen up, lighten up? Do you just get angry, like, well, who has time for that? This day was made to help us find our lighter side while locking up our serious side for a few hours. When we loosen up, lots of good things can happen and our worlds will not fall apart. They might in fact, even improve a bit.  Enjoy!

On today’s show, we're going to talk about napping. Now you can have all sorts of different emotional reactions around this, like, “Oh, I'd love to nap!”, or “They always nap way too long”, or “That kid who of mine does not know how to take a nap!”  You can go all over the place with napping conversations. So today we're just going to talk  mostly about why napping is good for kiddos. Let's remember that naps are also often good for adults. It helps us - either as a kiddos or an adult -  relax and it often reduces stress and some fatigue.  Enjoy this podcast - and then, perhaps, a nap!

Have you had a heavy heart this month?  There are two intense life events that impact so many of us in October as it is both Breast Cancer and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Listen in to how the grief that we can experience in these life events can be different and yet the same - as shared by personal stories.  And then, be with your friends and spouses as they too work through this grief - either newly known or known for years but not ever really gone.  

On today’s show, we are going to be chatting with our special guest, Christi Gilbert. She is an awesome mom of 3, an education expert, and my oldest daughter. She and I are talking through her experience of parenting her son as she began to realize that some other expert input would be really wise. Hear her story and thought process as she worked to find the appropriate expert, listen to her gut, and use the guidance in ways that brought growth and health.