Growing Up With Kids

14/01/2021

Here goes! Chatting about s*x on the pod this week!

**Use discretion when and where you listen to this episode. This is a frank discussion about s*x and may not be appropriate to listen to with your children. We also use one swear word.**We are having the s*x talk. Or more accurately, we are discus...

23/11/2020

Received this from a friend and it was a breath of fresh air. Thought I’d share

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/november-web-only/coronavirus-pandemic-parenting-motherhood-god-calls-life.html

I have a legitimate need for monastic silence. But that need is also a serious temptation.

17/11/2020

Finally discussing discipline! One of the top questions we get on our podcast is around how to discipline children and to be honest, we're in the thick of it, reading and learning as fast as we can, studying the topic for over a decade and still receiving new encouragement and direction as we go. In light of our changing practical steps we do address the heart behind discipline which has been the established core and served as a filter for practicality.

We also included a few resources in the show notes that we love and have been highly recommended to us over and over again...because there are a million great resources!

Do you have other resources about how to discipline? Would love to read the books you've read and listen to leaders you trust - please share! And enjoy this weeks "heart of the matter" podcast, with a little humor on the side :)

This week we are taking on discipline. A tough, and expansive, topic. We can't cover it all, so we take a look at four words that help frame how we can approach disciplining our children well: intentionality, heart-focused, restoration, and love. ...

11/11/2020

Favorite resource about discipline? GO!

13/10/2020

This Week: Flipping sibling rivalry on it's head and using it as a tool to promote and teach peace-making (note - not just peace-keeping!).

"You are over the line!"We all remember agitating our siblings when we were kids (and maybe even now that we are adults). And, all us parents see our kids needling and agitating their sister(s) and brother(s). Our natural inclination is to shut do...

18/09/2020

Thanks to for this post! EXACTLY what we’re discussing on this week’s podcast - parenting in the trenches of sleepless nights and potty training!

04/09/2020

Dear COVID,
“100 bad days made 100 good stories, 100 good stories make me interesting at parties....no I ain’t scared of you, no I ain’t scared of you no more”

I’ll still wear my mask and play this loud!

Love, Rachael

https://youtu.be/2c4dB52ehAE

Grab the song here: http://smarturl.it/100BD ON TOUR: http://www.AJRBrothers.com/tour Check us out everywhere online Lyrics: Remember when we al...

02/09/2020

My kids have very little virtual school on Wednesday’s which means they are on individual screens today...a LOT. Feeling guilty, and sweet relief, and then guilty again mixed with fear of their brains being rotted away.

Wrestling through how to think about screen time on this weeks podcast, praying for wisdom and pursuing thoughtful balance.

What is the truth about screen time? Who knows. There is no shortage of people telling you about the intense dangers of screen time. There is so much drama and stress for parents around this topic, starting when we are brand new parents.It doesn't...

25/08/2020

School has begun and I’m fighting...fighting hard...not to slip into comparisons. My social interaction is currently limited so I’m frequently battling against “pretend” - these worlds I’ve made up in my head on behalf of other people which eventually makes them the enemy because I know I can never live up to who they are...in my own head. I laugh out loud because they don’t even realize the perfection they hold in my pretend world, and as I say this out loud it is ridiculous and so unfair, but there it is. The truth...about you...in my head.

It’s truly an apples to oranges comparison. You and me are different, with different goals, dreams, all the things, yet you are frequently my standard.

Today’s game plan in the battle - live out exactly who I’m supposed to be in all it’s goodness and foibles. Ignoring the pretend worlds, living in the real world full of relationship. Parenting (homeschooling/virtual schooling/zoom-schooling) the best I know how and praying the Lords mercy over it all.

For you, my prayer is that you might know that the way you zoom-school/parent/work/love is fabulous. I hope you live it out well and let it blaze with glory! We can be messy together and I promise to step out of my head, away from comparisons, to love fiercely and be known in real life. Hope we do it together.

Not sure about you, but we are constantly tempted to compare ourselves to others (and to each other, if we are being honest). And, it is no good for us.Comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison is a driver of self righteousness or self loathing.I...

04/08/2020

The school year is upon us, but it is like none other. We are facing remote learning for at least two months where we live. So, we spend some time talking about how to make the most of this season of learning for (and with) our kids.It may not be ...

22/07/2020

You are the person your spouse and kids need. Today. Just as you are.Be encouraged.No matter how hard it feels, you have it in you to be the husband, wife, mother, father that your family needs today. You have the heart and the strength to love we...

14/07/2020

Today - chats about s*x and connection in the Covid world we live in.

**Note: There are a couple of swear words and a short discussion about s*xual intimacy in this episode. Please use discretion.**We are spending almost all our time in our home, but it is still (somehow) harder to connect as husband and wife. Life ...

07/07/2020

This week's episode covers a few guidelines for how and why to ask our kids good questions:

1. Assume the best of your child. Be a coach, not an accuser.
2. Get passionately curious about your kids.
3. Remember that context matters.
4. Build a family culture through common questions and code words.
5. Engage your child with hope.

The tendency to tell our children things is strong. But, asking questions can be powerful. Seeking to know our kids--their deep feelings, their true thoughts, their motivations--is a rewarding journey that communicates how valuable they are to us....

30/06/2020

The COVID quarantine / shelter-in-place / shutdown / social distancing (whatever we call it these days) is taking its toll on our kids and there is some real expert-level quarreling going on in our house. If you can relate, you are definitely not ...

26/06/2020

https://www.yourcourageouslife.com/the-truth-about-whining-complaining-bitching-moaning/

I strive to understand why these things come up for people. I was particularly thinking about this recently when I noticed myself...whining, complaining, bitching and moaning.

24/06/2020

Anyone have bored and whiny kids this summer?!?!

It is officially Summer and we are in it. Even amidst COVID (or maybe especially amidst COVID) it is a bit hot and crazy this week. So, we decided to revisit an earlier episode we did about how to work with your kids when they are whining. Enjoy!A...

12/06/2020

Everyone deals with guilt and shame in their lives, but there may be a special mix of it reserved for mothers (and fathers, to a slightly lesser degree). It is hard to not feel shame when we are parenting because there are so many unknowns. We are...

05/06/2020

https://mommypoppins.com/Childrens-kids-books-about-racism-preschoolers-teens

Books can help parents and kids wade through a difficult time and complex issue.

05/06/2020

I (Rachael) mentioned feeling "helpless" a few times on this weeks podcast as we discussed the value of diverse relationships and perspectives. My heart is big and intention rigorous but admittedly, sometimes I don't know where to begin as I teach our kids about diversity.

If you have some great books you've read in regard to learning about this issue, please post them below.

Just in case you're like me, unsure where to begin, here are a couple lists that might help. (The first is helpful to understand cultures around the world, the second list is a list specifically about racism).

http://hereweeread.com/2018/11/the-2019-ultimate-list-of-diverse-childrens-books.html

02/06/2020

It has been a harder week than most given the recent events in Minneapolis. We are not qualified to talk about racial injustice or police policies, so we won't even try. However, this is a good time to explore why we should, and how we can, pursue...

26/05/2020

Laughing about summer family vacations and women’s swimsuits this week on the podcast - referencing this video. One of my favorite “funny-and-true” clips!

https://youtu.be/MyNfyiVrImo

When I'm at the beach, I'm there to lifeguard, build sandcastles, supply treats, re-stand the umbrella every dang time it blows over, spray sunscreen, drink ...

21/05/2020

Sometimes “Puddles” comes for a visit...😂

19/05/2020

We're on day 2 of summer. No zoom calls, no assignments, no emails from teachers asking why my child wasn't in attendance to "xyz" class over the past two days (the answer is I DON'T KNOW WHY - I thought he was doing his work...he said he was completing assignments...said they were turned in while I wrestled down the other two kids class loads...and then he didn't. Teacher that I adore more than you know...I'm as confused as you are).

I'm feeling relief from school work but I'm also nervous about summer. Walking the line between relief from demands and terror of the every day "slog" that easily ends in "I'm bored"...from the kids...and me.

In the episode we posted today we come up with a few practical ideas for the Covid summer ahead - taking a look at my own heart and attitude in order to inform activities...or lack there of.

Here's to hoping and praying you remain encouraged - - maybe we just all say to each other "You're doing a great job, hang in there, just meet the physical needs of your kids and let them feel a connection with you at some point today."

That's my mantra...just for today, and hopefully tomorrow...but I can't think of that yet.

https://www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com/podcast/episode/4979c206/dreading-i-mean-prepping-for-summer-041

29/04/2020

This week...*sigh*...truly a humbling, swift kick in the rear for me. Finally admitting that Covid life is the new normal for a while, but struggling to accept it and embrace it. Trying to stay positive and engaged as a parent but finding that to be difficult. Wrestling with comparisons I absorb through media (social media and others) that show families laughing, dressing up together, being silly and spontaneous to make the best of their time together...but I don't feel silly or spontaneous. In fact. I'm out of "tricks" and David and I are just plain exhausted.

Some parts of quarantine life are pretty great - so much time to be with these guys and love them well - but other parts are proving to be super challenging, i.e. zero alone time...ever.

Listen in as we process...we always hope you're encouraged and most of all, right now we hope you know that if you're feeling any of this...YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Pass along to a friend who needs to hear from you...so they might feel less alone as well.

https://www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com/podcast/episode/493a4113/covid-is-kicking-our-butts038

23/04/2020

Taking a deep breath today...thankful for these rare moments when we rest together...weary of sheltering in place and the daily routine that seems to be on repeat...but these moments...this quiet...is the renewal our souls have longed for.

10/04/2020

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or head to our home on the web, www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com

29/03/2020

We had a great response to this weeks podcast!!! THANKYOU!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-up-with-kids-a-funny-parenting-podcast/id1478981756?i=1000469419091

‎Show Growing Up With Kids :: A Funny Parenting Podcast, Ep We’re Getting “Punchy”: Social Distancing Wins & Losses #033 - Mar 24, 2020

27/03/2020

AMEN and AMEN!!

https://youtu.be/IOAx7T45-ew

I love to capture the moments, and keep a collection of the music we have done for my own personal library, along with favorite moments of family and friends...

24/03/2020

Summarized -

TUESDAY!

23/03/2020

Cabin fever...just..set...in....

Catch this episode wherever you listen to podcasts or, visit us on the web at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com THIS TUESDAY!

21/03/2020

Band on a boat strolling in front of our house...starting a “socially distanced” parade!

16/03/2020

Hey Atlanta listeners! Here’s a fun “get-the-kids-outside-corona-survival-tool!”

Post what you love in your city!

www.tinydoorsatl.com

Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project bringing big wonder to tiny spaces.

16/03/2020

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com or wherever you catch your podcasts!

12/03/2020

Nothing says “Happy St. Patrick’s” more than a box full of generic Lucky Charms while we discuss Leprechauns!

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com or wherever you catch your podcasts and share all the random Leprechaun facts this week! 😂🍀😂

10/03/2020

We have the power to change our family tree by identifying and working on the negative patterns and habits we "inherited." This episode we talk about some of our generational cycles that we are working on and how we talk with our kids about these challenges.

A few key actions items that we cover:
Taking responsibility for the generational cycles that were given to us, but we now "own."
Recognizing the specific patterns in our lives and families that have been hurtful to us and are hurting our children.
Husbands and wives working together to gently identify brokenness and move towards healing and better parenting.
Don't be afraid to pursue professional help via counseling; it can be a powerful way to unearth these issues, and receive guidance and wisdom.



Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com

10/03/2020

04/03/2020

Handy little chart as we navigate humility in marriage.

(Thankyou for the image smartchristianwoman.wordpress.com).

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com or wherever you catch your podcasts!

03/03/2020

THIS WEEK’S EPISODE: HUMILITY IN MARRIAGE!

This week we talk about what true humility is, why it is so important, and then we discuss five specific ways you can further develop humility in yourself and your marriage:
1) Take responsibility for your side of the equation.
2) Look for your spouse's strengths. And, verbalize them.
3) Seek to understand your spouse's point of view. And, listen well.
4) Be willing to admit when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness.
5) Give your spouse permission to provide you with feedback.

Corollary: Be extremely gentle, kind, and encouraging when providing your spouse with feedback.

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com or wherever you catch your podcasts!

28/02/2020

That feeling when you want to puke after your workout and you’re doing Lamaze exercises to keep it all in because you’re at a public gym...🤢

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com or wherever you catch your podcasts!

27/02/2020

Wise words...

Listen for more words of courage at www.growingupwithkidspodcast.com