Connected Families Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Navigating Family Gatherings Nov 20, 2023

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With the holidays fast approaching, we are pulling a classic podcast from the archives where Chad Hayenga joins Stacy Bellward to discuss some ideas for navigating family gatherings. Enjoy! Are you looking forward to celebrating holidays with family but dreading unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? You are not alone. Changes in your daily routines, travel, lack of sleep, and large gatherings set the stage for parenting challenges. Sometimes these difficult situations may be scrutinized by other adults in your family. This may lead to comments or questions that don’t feel supportive. Navigating family gatherings can be tricky! On today’s podcast, Chad Hayenga (Director of Education & Equipping) and Jenna Williams (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about navigating the holidays with relatives. Specifically, how you can respond when grandparents or other family members criticize you (or your children). Role-playing possible scenarios, Jenna and Chad bring humor and practical wisdom to you just in time for holiday gatherings. In this podcast, you’ll discover: proactive strategies to intentionally prepare your family for upcoming gatherings, including evaluating your own expectations, having conversations with your children, and even having conversations with grandparents about their expectations roleplays to help you navigate criticism, unhelpful comments, or harsh discipline by grandparents or other relatives that you can model humility and the value of connection to your parents and kids during holiday gatherings and difficult situations Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Parent Coaching Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Connected Families Framework Unsolicited Advice? 4 Ways to Respond (Connected Families PDF) Guest Bio: Jenna Williams and her husband, Sam, have been married for ten years. They live in Colorado Springs, CO, and have three amazing children ages 3-7. Jenna is a registered nurse by trade and works in a postpartum unit. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and loves caring for and supporting families! Connected Families has been a true blessing for her and her family, and she is excited to share that blessing with others. You can find her on Instagram: mindful_of_the-moment or email her directly: jennwilliams0411@gmail.com

Blocked Care: Rekindle Compassion in Your Heart | Ep. 155 Nov 13, 2023

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In today’s episode on blocked care, Stacy talks with author Melissa Corkum about her book Reclaim Compassion. “Blocked care (also known as compassion fatigue) is when a parent becomes emotionally unavailable following repeated rejected attempts to support their child. The parent can still meet the child's physical needs; however, their ability to be attuned and empathetic decreases dramatically.” Blocked care can happen to any parent of a child who is struggling. November is Adoption Awareness Month, and today we’re highlighting a valuable resource, especially to the adoptive and foster parents in our community and those who support them. Our guest, Melissa Corkum, is an adoptee, adoptive mom, speaker, and coach. She shares how blocked care can affect any caregiving relationship and offers hope for overcoming blocked care. In this podcast you’ll discover: the signs of blocked care how to acknowledge and navigate feelings of shame and grief associated with blocked care that healing blocked care starts with your own internal work—reclaim compassion for yourself first, then for your child a process of daily practices to heal and spend more time out of blocked care steps you can take toward radical compassion Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Reclaim Compassion book Free Blocked Care Assessment Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care - Course How to Help a Spouse with Blocked Care from the AdoptionWise podcast Parent Coaching with Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches What Causes Anger Issues in a Child | Episode 46 with Lisa Qualls and Jim & Lynne Jackson Hebrews 4:15 Guest Bio: As an adoptee and adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum provides insight and resources to parents and professionals through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She is a TED Speaker, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Cultivate Connection Facilitator, Certified Enneagram Coach, and co-founder of AdoptionWise. Additionally, she co-authored Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parents Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith and Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care: The eight-session program for helping parents reclaim compassion. Melissa and Patrick live in Maryland and have six kids and two grandchildren. You can find all of Melissa‘s resources at https://adoptionwise.org.

Stories of Transformation…One Mom’s Journey Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Listen as we chat with Anna Braasch about finding hope through the Connected Families Framework. Do you remember when a friend introduced you to Connected Families? Or, maybe you are brand new to Connected Families’ resources–we’re so glad you found us. Regardless of when you found us and how familiar you are with the Framework, today’s podcast will likely resonate with you. Today, Connected Families Executive Director, Anna Braasch, shares her story of finding hope through the Connected Families Framework. Anna candidly talks about her struggles as a young mom and how finding Connected Families’ resources changed her relationship with Christ and her approach to parenting. Anna also shares about Connected Families’ vision for the future and how you can get involved. In this podcast you’ll discover: one mom’s journey to hope (there were bumps along the way!) that transformation in your family may be slow, but it is worth the effort Connected Families’ three-year vision how you can join the Donor Team to help support transformation in families Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart book Parenting Tips emails from Connected Families Serenity Prayer - Connected Families version - free download Grace & Truth for Moms online course 2 Corinthians 10:5 Things Began to Change When…. To give a one-time donation Make a 3-year commitment to support Connected Families' long-term vision

A Circle of Support: What Does a Mentor Do for Your Child? Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Here at Connected Families, we often talk about how you can pass your faith on to your kids. Have you thought about how you can help sustain your child’s faith into their adult years? Research reveals that 60 percent of teens who have faith in high school will leave their faith by the time they are 30 years old. Thankfully, this does not have to be the case if you take proactive steps as your children grow. In today’s podcast, Ben Bevis (Executive Director of Encircled) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share what a mentor can do for a child. Ben introduces resources for parents, youth workers, and even grandparents to support a young person’s faith, purpose, and calling from early childhood through their young adult years. You’ll be encouraged and inspired to support sustaining faith in your family today. In this podcast you’ll discover: what mentorship can look like at different ages how to build a circle of support around your child the impact that 5 intentional adults can have in the life of a young adult things you can do at any age to notice and develop your child’s unique giftings resources to guide you or your community in developing mentor circles Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Want to revisit certain parts of the podcast, or struggling to keep up with the audio? Click the button below to access a written transcript of this podcast episode. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: TreeHouse Hope Encircled resources (use code CF50 for 50% off!) The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson 1 Peter 4:10 Ephesians 2:10 Guest Bio: Ben Bevis is the Executive Director of Encircled and is passionate about getting Mentor Circles around youth! Ben is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach and has been a youth volunteer at his church for many years. Ben has been married to his wife Sara for 20 years. Together they have 3 wonderful children: Sophia (17), Reid (15), and Sam (12). They live in Minnesota and love to mountain bike, nordic ski, and go on adventures together. Questions about Encircled? You can email Ben directly at Info@encircled.org .

Feel Safe: How to Cultivate a Sense of Security in an Unsafe World Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Children today face threats to their safety that are difficult to discuss. How do you help your kids process a school shooting or other violent attack? How can you hold the fear and anxiety they feel when you’re experiencing the same emotions? The answers aren’t simple, but you can support your child in helpful ways as they process scary situations. In today’s conversation, Jody Goldie (LMFT at Midwest Trauma Center) and Katie Wetsell (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss feeling safe when the world feels unsafe. Katie shares wisdom from her personal experience navigating a school shooting, and Jody shares her expertise in trauma-related therapy. Together they will offer you grace and confidence as you navigate these situations with your children. In this podcast you’ll discover: the importance of processing your own emotions before trying to support your kids how to be a safe landing place for your kids to process their emotions during traumatic experiences what you can do when you sense that your child is feeling unsafe (with big or little things) ways to move past simple reassurances and build confidence and trust how to draw faith into the conversation as you wrestle with your kid’s toughest questions (it’s okay to not have all the answers!) Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Want to revisit certain parts of the podcast, or struggling to keep up with the audio? Click the button below to access a written transcript of this podcast episode. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: Episode 124 | Empowering Your Differently-Wired Child Psalm 46:1 Jeremiah 19:5 Parenting Tips Emails - Sign up now! Guest Bio: Katie Wetsell is our online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their family with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org. Jody Goldie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master's degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She approaches the therapeutic relationship with warmth and the belief that all people have the ability to heal. She works with clients who have experienced complex trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Her training includes a family systems approach and incorporates that into the understanding of work with individuals and couples. Jody enjoys incorporating spirituality into therapy if that is desired by the client. You can find her at: www.mwtraumacenter.com.

Want To Show Grace to Your Kids? Soak In It First Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Self-care is a hot topic, but what about soul-care? How can you open up space in your heart for God to meet you and speak to you in the middle of a busy, chaotic day? Or in the midst of your discouragement or frustration? Today’s conversation will encourage you that God is reaching out to you with His love and grace in the midst of everyday life. Sharing her personal journey, Lydia Rex (mom of 2 and Connected Families Parent Coach) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for an interview about caring for your soul while parenting. And the best part is that, as you receive God’s grace, you’ll be equipped to show grace to your kids all the more. In this podcast you’ll discover: how to start paying attention to the ways God speaks to you in small everyday moments that you can experience God as your co-regulator as you seek to help your child regulate a fresh perspective on the struggles your family might experience questions you can ask to be open to hearing from God in the moment scriptures that offer hope and perspective when you need a lifeline Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Click the button below to access a transcript of this podcast. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: Episode 138 | How to Encourage Critical Thinking for Little Ones Episode 126 | Why Is My Child So Angry All the Time Episode 89 | A Powerful New Perspective for Parenting Sensitive & Intense Kids online course Discipline That Connects online course Parent Coaching All Certified Connected Families Parent Coaches John 21 John 14:26

Parenting Topics That Will Fill You With Hope Sep 25, 2023

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Do you wish you had a strong foundation to guide you through challenging situations with your kids? Or, do you know a little about the Connected Families Framework but want to grow your application of it? The parenting topics in today’s podcast can help build your foundation for parenting and help you apply the Connected Families Framework. In this episode, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founders) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to touch on several parenting topics that are covered in-depth in the Discipline That Connects online course. Jim and Lynne wrote the course to equip parents to love their kids unconditionally while teaching them to take responsibility for their actions. Each topic includes a statement you can use to remind yourself of your parenting goals. In this podcast you’ll discover: key phrases that guide each level of the Connected Families Framework key parenting statements mentioned in this podcast Kids learn best when they feel safe. My child is not my report card. When kids misbehave, we have a golden opportunity to communicate unconditional love. I can find and build strengths in my child even in the midst of misbehavior. Effective discipline puts responsibility on kids to right their wrongs. how the Discipline That Connects online course can help you discipline effectively and create lasting change for your family If you’d like to learn more about the parenting topics in this conversation, register today for the Discipline That Connects With Your Child's Heart online course. Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects online course - Registration ends September 30th! Psalm 139:23-24 Galatians 6

How to Discipline an Explosive Child—With Grace and Firmness Sep 18, 2023

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Wondering about disciplining an explosive child? You’re not alone! In fact, what to do with kid’s anger is one of our most frequent inquiries here at Connected Families. Aggressive behavior and explosive anger are intense challenges, and there is hope for change as you and your child build skills. In today’s episode, Jessica Brandon (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) joins Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss the anger spectrum and practical ideas you can use to help a child with explosive anger. Jessica shares her personal experiences with her intense kids and insights as a parent coach to leave you encouraged about helping your child with anger. In this podcast you’ll discover: what’s happening inside your child when they have explosive anger the spectrum of anger expression (from explosive to indirect to hidden) ways to build the skill of respectful anger insights to help a child who refuses to move past anger proactive skills you can use to help a child with explosive anger when to “worry” about toddler aggression Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Anger spectrum blog post Ephesians 4:26 Proverbs 12:8 Proverbs 10:18 Ephesians 4:25 Learning Respectful Anger FREE printable PDF for parents to teach kids Discipline That Connects With Your Child's Heart online course - Register Today! Guest Bio: Jessica Brandon is a mom to three energetic kiddos. She has a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies and a Masters Degree in Christian Ministries. She believes one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to parent them with the Father’s heart. The Connected Families Framework captures this so well! She would love to partner with you and empower you with tools to love and connect with your children. You can find her at: jessbrandoncoaching.com and on Instagram @jessbrandon_coaching.

Help! My Child Won't Listen Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

My child won’t listen! Sound familiar? If you’ve had that exasperated thought recently, you’re not alone. Obedience and cooperation are common struggles most families encounter. There may be a disconnect between your good intentions and what your kids experience and believe. That disconnect can fuel these listening troubles. In today’s conversation, Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share a really practical skill for parents. It’s not a tip or a trick to manipulate behavior, but a fresh way to engage with your kids that invites cooperation. This skill is part of our Discipline That Connects With Your Child's Heart online course that’s loaded with practical ideas and resources to change the atmosphere in your home. If this conversation is helpful, you’ll love the online course. Registration is open now, and you can start Session 1 today! In this podcast you’ll discover: possible underlying struggles for kids who aren’t listening common disconnects between parents’ good intentions and kids’ experiences ways that your discipline sends messages that form your child’s identity how “slow, low, listen” provides a way to engage with your child and receive from the Lord what you need in tough moments the powerful dynamic shift that can happen with your child when you take the time to be a compassionate team leader Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child's Heart online course-Register Today! Stickers! Slow, Low, Listen, plus others! 1 Corinthians 10:13

Discipline and Your Kids: Your Questions Answered Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Your kids keep growing and changing, and so do your questions about parenting. Today’s podcast might answer a few of your questions and leave you wishing you had your own parent coach. In this Q&A style podcast, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Parent Coach) answer some common parenting questions from people enrolled in our Discipline That Connects online course. If you’d like to have your parenting questions answered and grow in connection with your kids, register today for the Discipline That Connects online course. During the course, you’ll have several opportunities to submit your questions for Q&A sessions hosted by Certified Connected Families Parent Coaches. The course is also moderated by CF Parent Coach Katie Wetsell, (RN, MSN, SPACE-trained), who will encourage you and host guided check-ins to support you during the course. In this podcast you’ll discover: ways you can help two or more of your kids who are struggling at the same time how you can ignore the behavior but not the child during a tantrum that your calm presence when your child is struggling grows safety, love, and connection why a deeper connection with you can help your child obey how to stay emotionally safe (but intervene quickly and effectively!) when your child does something potentially dangerous Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course Attachment Play (book) Psalm 73 50 Self-Regulation Activities To Empower Your Child To Calm

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