Inspiration from this Episode

“The negative emotions of worry and fear creates anxiety.”

“The broader our knowledge and skill base, the more likely we are to try new things.”

“You accept those worries with good intentions.”

007 | Us & Kids: Positive Emotions & Thoughts

Intro 

On today’s show, we’re talking about PETS and how they relate to our marriage. In our day-to-day lives, there are so many things that can put us into a negative mindset. It’s hard to not let our anxiety and negative emotions creep into our relationships.

We don’t want to burden our spouses with our worries but they can often be a great way to help achieve PETS. 

When we were newly married and raising our kids, we had a variety of pets over the years. Each of our dogs had very different personalities and each one taught of new things about communication. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• What we...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Feelings from miscarriage looks different for everyone.”

006 | Us & Kids: Miscarriage & Loss

Intro 

On today’s show, we talk about the hard topic of miscarriage and losing a child. Miscarriage is never an easy thing to go through no matter when it happens. We often feel as though we are alone because no one talks about what they might also be going through. 

As a friend, we often don’t know what to say or how to support our friends through this time. We don’t want to risk saying the wrong thing or potentially upset them more. We are going to discuss some of the many ways you can support a friend or loved one during a miscarriage. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• When we think no one else is going through it.
• How to support a friend through miscarriage.
• Not forgetting the grieving spouse.
• Dealing with the different emotions.

Resources in Today’s...

Inspiration from this Episode

“We need to practice being close to each other.”

“You just had to make a decision and go.”

“It’s not easy to make a win, especially when you’re busy.”

005 | Us & Kids: Happy Anniversary

Intro 

On today’s show, we are talking about ANNIVERSARIES and all the ways we celebrate them. I’ve been a marriage and family therapist for many many years. Anniversaries matter to so many people around us, our family, our friends, our kids. 

As the years go by and we celebrate bigger and greater accomplishments, we also need to take the time to look back and see where we’ve been. Go over all of those wins you’ve had with your spouse, and remember those times that might have been a little bit more trying. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• How to celebrate the wins no matter how small.
• Taking responsibility for your part when...

Inspiration from this Episode:

“Get them outside. Let them play, let them have fun.”

“Give them the space for rest.”

004 | Us & Kids: Blueberries

Intro 

On today’s show, we are talking about the sweet and juicy topic of berries and how they can resemble our kids and families. When we think about our gardens and the variety of fruits we might be growing, we hardly ever stop to think how so many of the attributes of these berries are similar to our kids. Many of the things needed to careful grow plants and make them flourish are the same things our kids need as they also grow. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

•     What berries have to do with raising kids.
•     How our kids might resemble growing fruits.
•     Dealing with the differences in their personalities.
•     Growing fruit vs growing good kids.

Resources in Today’s Episode

•  ...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Being married is a challenge all in itself, learning how to become husband and wife.”

“Put something in that schedule that says this is for us.”

003 | Us & Kids: Alive After Five—Us

Intro 

Today on our show, we’re getting into part 2 of our series Alive After Five. On the last episode, we discussed what happens in the first 5 years of raising our kids. Today, the discussion is all about our marriage and those first few stages most couples go through. We talk about how to be open to all of the changing phases as well as how to take intentional actions that help direct your marriage. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• The first few stages of being married.
•  Dealing with the changes and being open to them.
• How to get yourself back to that passion.
• Regular actions to take to live with purpose.

Resources in Today’s Episode

•   Join the Us &...

Inspiration from this Episode:

“Children grow about one million neuro connections every second during their first few years of life.”

“Confidence builds that curiosity of wanting to try new things.”

002 | Us & Kids: Alive After Five—Kids

Intro 

 On today’s show, we’re focusing on the number ‘5’ and why it’s important in the connections in your marriage and with your kids. We’re going to be talking about the first 5 years of raising a child. Obviously, there is an infinite amount of things we could discuss about the first 5 years of their lives, so let’s take a broad look at everything as a whole. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: 

•  Where the number 5 shows up in our lives.
• How we can influence their development even after 5.
• How to understand the basic architecture of their brains.
• The importance of consistency from you, for your kids.

Inspiration from this Episode:

“You can indeed be married forever while parenting together.”

“Repairing is doable at any point.”

001 | Us & Kids: Marriage Forever While Parenting Together 

Intro 

Welcome to our podcast. My name is Jan Talen and I’m a marriage and family therapist (for 35 years!). On the Us & Kids podcast, I'll be sharing my professional knowledge and expertise along with life stories to help you become the best married, parenting team.

On today’s episode, we’re going to be talking about how to have a great marriage even while parenting together. 

When we first have kids, everything changes. The first few years of becoming a mom and dad is filled with craziness. Schedules become unpredictable, our sleep patterns change, and we are tired and anxious. Our social life changes, getting a sitter becomes hard and leaving the house seems unmanageable. Finances typically change for many...