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...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Those connections through kind words and kind actions matter for the rest of what happens in our relationship DNA.”

“And that means that you know how to listen carefully and you know how to keep your own self under control so that you can continue to connect with those that are listening.”

“If you want to give all of that a little boost use some touch, hold hands, sit by each other, use hugs.”

077 | Us & Kids: Necessary Core Strengths

Intro 

Last week we looked at the values that we bring into our relationship and how those values build up the basic structure of our relationships with our kids or even with our spouses. So today we’re going to look a little bit more at the particulars that hold this structure together. 

This structure is in the particulars were going to talk about are important for your marriage and for any age kiddo that is sitting next to you. So this applies all...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Then they can bring our actions and our words and our attitudes all in line to help us achieve our goals.”

“We had to work to compare those values because they influence our desires in our vision for a marriage and a family.”

“We just had to shave some rough edges off in order to create shared values that we honored.”

076 | Us & Kids: Best Marriage Ever

Intro 

In today’s show, we are focusing on building up the skills we need for helping our marriages and our families regardless of the messiness of life. Today we are going to talk about DNA and we are looking at DNA within your relationships, your marriage, and your family because that too is always going to be unique just to you and so we can’t make a course or a program that is going to be one size fits all.

This week we are diving into the D strand specifically and while the D strand could stand for a lot of different things, we...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Shame is our most powerful master emotion - meaning it has a lot of power and it’s a master over the other emotions.” 

“You could though be a very honorable and integral part of the functioning of those things.”

“They will feel comfortable with you and be able to calm down and take responsibility for their actions.”

075 | Us & Kids: Shame, Responsibility and Honor

Intro  

On today’s show, we are diving into shame and responsibility and it’s going to apply both to you as a husband or wife, and how you interact with your kiddos. We’re going to start by talking about yourself because so much of our parenting and interactions in our marriage can come from a place of shame and that can be somewhat contagious.  

The podcast today will help you understand where shame sneaks into your heart and mind...and how it sneaks into kiddos’ being as well. And...

Inspiration from this Episode

“When the stress is high, often kisses go bye-bye.”

“And when it builds up inside of us, our brain becomes anxious and can’t think well.”

“As you change your self talk, your internal thoughts can move to become more positive.”

074 | Us & Kids: KISSes & Stress

Intro 

On today’s show, we are wrapping up the last part of a 5 part series we started in January about how to stay married forever while you parent together - not one or the other. Today we are talking about KISSes. Of course, there has to be kisses! Eskimo and butterfly kisses, as well as I love you - oooh! kisses. 

But when there is stress and headaches, so much and too much! Who even remembers to kiss? And, does it really matter if we kiss? Really? Well, if you can take care of this kind of KISS, then the other kisses are so much better and sweeter!

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

• How to...

Inspiration from this Episode

“My definition of explore is trying something new or taking something that we know and expanding it into a different area or place.”

“It helps us understand how our spouse thinks and how they move. It helps you build admiration towards them and appreciation for their processes.”

“Because it brings around such good interactions and attachments with each other that you can build on for years and years."

073 | Us & Kids: Explore and Expand

Intro 

We are carrying on with the series that we’ve been going through each week in January about how to have a fresh start after 2020. So today, we’re on chapter 4 and we’re talking about exploring and expanding because a part of building strong relationships is that the courage to be with each other and by each other to try new things to experience things together. 

Because it expands the way that you are connected so that if one of the...

Inspiration from this Episode

“We don’t even necessarily even care if you’re happy in your heart, we know when you smile it changes the way your brain thinks and works.”

“Lead into a space that is helpful and calms the chaos.”

“Our voice tells both our thoughts and our emotions so it’s a double power.”

071 | Us & Kids: SET for Calmness

Intro 

On today’s show, we are continuing on with a little book I wrote and just taking it chapter by chapter. The little book is about the five things you need for being married forever while you parent together. Last week we talked about intentions and how to make good intentions and be aware of what we are bringing into a conversation or relationship space.

So today, the second step to that is knowing how to reset so that you can get some calm. We do this reset by thinking and talking about 3 things. We are going to dive into these three things for staying and...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Do you take time to actually think and move your emotions and look at the consequences?”

“What do you know about you that others don’t or wouldn’t believe?”

“They relied on family when family was good for them and they learned to rely on each other.”

069 | Us & Kids: Mary, Marry, and Merry

Intro 

It’s close to Christmas day...and like most other traditions and truths there is a fabulous story to go along with this tradition of Christmas. So, today instead of teaching and guiding you into spaces about being your best self, parent or partner/spouse, I want to encourage you to relax, listen to this story, with all the applications for your life today.

For those of you who know the details to this story, I am skipping a few of them in the interest of time and the focus of this podcast. I am leaving some space for spiritual interest and intrigue.  I invite you to wonder about...

Inspiration from this Episode

“Are you investing or how can you improve your investment in gold life skills for your kids?”

“You’re trying to be gracious to them but you also want them to feel safe and secure enough to be honest with you.”

“Learning how to do things together is another really good skill, and being compassionate.”

068 | Us & Kids: Gifts for Everyone

Intro 

On today’s show, we are talking about finding ways to end the year well. When we feel that in many ways this year has been bumpy, there have been anticipations and disappointment and adjustments that just seem nonstop. Sure there has been good, but there’s also been struggle and tension.

Last week we talked about anticipation and how the biblical wise men had to make changes and pivots and they were tired too but that they ended up in a really good spot. This week we are going to continue on with those wisemen and that biblical story -...