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!

Things you will learn:

* Teaching values is an everyday event.

* Kids learn by doing, talking, and copying...

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.
Rachel agrees that the responsibility is on the seller.  But in the real world, there are gaps, and thus, it is wise and best for us, the parents, to know and understand how to determine if a product and it’s packaging is made in compliance with safety standards. 

So, from baby products and toys, to...

Intro 

On today’s show, we will think and talk about transitions.  You know, those changes that happen oh-so-often…as seasons change, as school routines switch-up, as kiddo’s naps and needs change…there we are making changes and trying to manage the ensuing chaos.  

Is there a way to do change without the crying, chaos and confusion?

Certainly. 

Listen in to pick up some tips for how times of change and how to help them be more cooperative, collaborative and perhaps, even calm, or fun. 

Yes, these tips are for the big stuff, like switching to summer schedules, but they are also good when you are just  changing what’s for supper, or what pj’s to wear, or who reads books tonight. 

So, take a few minutes to gather what tips will suit you best so that your connections, even through changes, can be worthy of the “high-fives” of family success!  

What You’ll Learn in Today’s...

 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 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...

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 

“Though all of those pieces together made a lot more sense to me that it was sensory and not just he's a naughty kid.” 

“We had to do a little bit of advocacy work on his behalf and on our financial behalf as well.” 

“And so he was open and willing to continue to do some of these things together because he felt the benefits of it and they were fun.”

104 | Us & Kids: ProActive Parenting

Intro  

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. 

...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Are you using it to help people yourself as well as other people?” 

“Remember anger is energy, and we decide how we want to use it.” 

“Because often anger is asking for is an adjustment, in some way. And in that adjustment, we hear acceptance.”

092 | Us & Kids: A’s of Angry

 Intro  

On today’s show, we're going to talk about the letter A. We're going to start by talking about anger and then add other A words that both lead away from anger in a negative way or in a more sad way and lead away from anger into a more healthy or appealing way. So first, we have to start by talking about anger. 

I talk often with my clients the idea that anger is energy. It's emotional energy that really wants to have influence in some space or another and often, when it is held back can be sort of explosive. It comes out in that way because we haven't just let it come out more quickly...

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....