Between Parents

Latest Episodes:

#20 - What I've Learned From Men Who Went Before Me Feb 07, 2017

Show notes

With Joy out of town this week, Billy "goes solo" and shares some of the best and favorite advice he's received from men who've walked before and beside him. Gals, feel free to listen in, but this one is especially designed for the men. A quick recap of the The Big Five (so far) 1. Make a study of your spouse, your family, and yourself. 2. Invest into all your roles fully. 3. Guard your time. 4. Be a protector. 5. Build community As always, we'd love for you to leave us a review and share this podcast with others.

#19 - Keeping Your Family Flexible Jan 31, 2017

Show notes

Disappointments are a regular part of life. One of the best ways to overcome these disappointments is to stay flexible. Easier said than done, right? On this episode, Billy and Joy review five elements which keep families nimble and on track to handle life's inevitable "plot twists."

Related(ish) Links

What is a Myers Briggs type? The official site is here.

But if you'd rather look at your type as a Star Wars or Harry Potter character, look here

For the record, Joy is an ENTP and Billy is an ENFJ

Talk about this:

Where are our kids most limited by a routine? What are some ideas for interjecting some adventures into the routine? How are your kids different when it comes to routine? Who needs more or less?

Also remember…

Please leave us a review on iTunes. This is SUPER helpful in helping others find our show.

Along with iTunes, Overcast, and Stitcher, Between Parents is now on TuneIn (the fun way to listen if you are using Amazon's Alexa). You can chat back with us on Twitter @between_parents or on Instagram @betweenparents

#18 - Words Matter Jan 24, 2017

Show notes

Do you remember the common expressions from your childhood? Can you recall the words that made you soar or the ones that made you cringe? On today's episode we talk about how to be intentional with the words you give your kids. There's a TON to talk about, so listen in for some ideas!

Related (ish) Links

Why you should cover your computer camera (no matter what Billy says!) from THE FBI!!! Click here

Barry White's Song Credits

More words around why we don't tell our kids they are smart here along with the original article which grabbed our attention here.

Find Sarah Anderson's interview on Surviving Sarah podcast here or her blog here (she's so very wise!)

Our Chalk Board

The Truth Wall

Talk about this:

What words do you think your kids need to hear? What can we do to make those words memorable?

Also remember…

#17 - Money & Allowance Planning With Kids Jan 17, 2017

Show notes

Managing money is tricky for adults, so it's no surprise that kids need significant guidance when it comes to having money. Do you have a plan for teaching your kids about money? And what about allowances? Do you pay your kids for doing chores or do you just give them money with no strings attached? In this episode, Billy & Joy tackle those questions and give you a number of thoughts to consider.

Related (ish) Links

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back."

Maya Angelou

Talk about this:

What plan would work best for our family for teaching our kids how to be responsible for their money? What steps do we need to take to implement the plan?

Also remember…

Along with iTunes, Overcast, and Stitcher, Between Parents is now on TuneIn (the fun way to listen if you are using Amazon's Alexa).You can chat back with us on Twitter @between_parents or on Instagram @betweenparents

Remember to leave us reviews and share with your friends!

#16 - 8 Questions For A Great Marriage This Year Jan 10, 2017

Show notes

#16 – 8 Questions For A Great Marriage This Year

Do you make New Year's resolutions? How about at the office, do you set annual goals? People expect to make evaluations and think about how to grow in these areas, but it's not always common to consider how to make our marriages better.

In this episode, we give you a few questions to ask each other to get any year off to a great start.

These aren't all encompassing, but they should get you thinking. And remember, to watch your pronouns…this is a "we" discussion!

The 8 Questions

Evaluate what's past…

This past year did it seem like we controlled our schedules & money, or did our money and schedules control us?

How well did we communicate with each other this year? What needed to be said more or less often?

What are some of the best decisions we made to improve our marriage? What decisions should we have made differently?

What were three of our best and challenging moments together this year?

Plan for what's ahead

What must we do to control our schedules & money, so they won't control us?

Which key people will we listen to for marriage and family advice next year? What specific plans must we make to ensure that happens?

What do we need to START and what do we need to STOP doing to help our relationship?

What will we do to "nurture romance" in our marriage?

Odds & Ends….

Along with iTunes, Overcast, and Stitcher, Between Parents is now on TuneIn (the fun way to listen if you are using Amazon's Alexa).

You can chat back with us on Twitter @between_parents or on Instagram @betweenparents

#15 - The Dangers of Overachieving Parents Jan 03, 2017

Show notes

No matter how you define success, there is a natural tendency to project that definition onto your kids. In this episode, Billy and Joy talk about an article that gives us plenty to think about and chew on.

If you're ready for some "mind work" take a listen!

Related (ish) Links and Follow up

The Fast Company article we are discussing can be read in its full glory here.

Between Parents is now on TuneIn and is also on twitter @between_parents

You can also find us on Instagram @betweenparents

Talk About This:

Do you agree with the four strategies? Which one do you find most challenging and how do you need to think differently?

#14 - When Kids Fight Dec 20, 2016

Show notes

If you have more than one child, you know siblings are going to fight. Sometimes the conflict is short and inconsequential, others times...well, it's not.

In this episode Billy and Joy talk about goals for parents and kids for handling disagreements and managing three phases of conflict well.

Take a listen and, more importantly, talk to others about what you hear!

Related (ish) Links

Mattress and cars don't go together! Exhibit A - - here!

If you want more than Joy's passing guess on the Socratic Method, check here.

Thanks for spending part of your day with us. Remember to subscribe and leave a review!

Also check us out on Instagram at Between Parents

#13 - Heading Back To Work Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

One of the more emotional events for many parents is the process of heading back to work. Joy and Billy have navigated those waters for years and discuss managing guilt, the importance of having a family strategy, and establishing boundaries with your employer.

If you are walking this path, take a listen!

Related (ish) Links:

YKK padlock zippers are are thing... they are called key lock sliders.

http://www.ykkfastening.com/products/types/s_zipper.html

And, for the record, Joy DID receive a key for the beanbag. (Thanks Salesman Doug - - if that's your name!)

I love Shonda Rhimes take on being a working mom. If you haven't read A Year Of Yes, it's worth your time.

Talk About This:

What internal (family) priorities and practices we need to establish before heading back to work?

What external (employer/employee) expectations and boundaries do we need to have in place in order to make the new dynamics work?

#12 - The Parenting "Elevator Pitch" Dec 06, 2016

Show notes

You get on an elevator and run into some friends who are about to have a baby. They ask you for your best advice before you get to the lobby. What do you say? What wisdom do you give at a moment's notice?

In this episode Billy and Joy offer five elements of their elevator pitch and while it's not a complete list (we only have 20 floors in this imaginary building!), but it's a start! Hop on board…

Related (ish) Links and Follow up

Words you like to say, Words you hate to say…

Chilean

Cattywampus

Cucamonga

Fastidious

The origin of the Mike Tyson quote is: "Everyone has a plan until they get hit." was explained in the Sun Sentinel:

"People were asking me [before a fight], 'What's going to happen?,' " Tyson said. "They were talking about his style. 'He's going to give you a lot of lateral movement. He's going to move, he's going to dance. He's going to do this, do that.' I said, "Everybody has a plan until they get hit. Then, like a rat, they stop in fear and freeze.' "

The correct Taylor Swift song is… Never grow up… lyrics here. Joy is still embarrassed she missed this!

We talk more about community in episode #7. Link is here

The exact Stephen Covey quote is "Begin with the end in mind" and is one of the principles from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

The fabulous proverb Billy mentions is Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Talk About This:

How is what we are doing today helping us leading us to where we want to be tomorrow? How are our decisions now leading us to where we want to be.?

Ask people whose families you admire, what their elevator pitch is for parenting.

If you haven't left us a review yet, wait no longer!!! Head on over and give us 5 stars (thanks!!! It helps)

#11 - Having an awkward date night...on purpose! Nov 29, 2016

Show notes

Even when we know feedback strengthens relationships, in a marriage it's easy to give input out of anger, at the wrong time, or to avoid the process entirely. In this episode we discuss practical steps for getting feedback from your spouse and how this process can strengthen your relationship.

Related (ish) Links and Follow up

CHICK-fil-A (emphasis matters) - But if you listen to the Oxford dictionary, maybe Joy is more right than wrong! (What do you think?)

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/pronunciation/english/chick-fil-a

A blog post outlining much of this talk is here:

http://joyphenix.com/blog/the-awkward-date-night/

Finally, as promised, here's a list of the sample questions we discussed on the episode:

Sample Questions: