Eyres on the Road

Latest Episodes:

Secret Strategies for Mothers May 16, 2020

Show notes

On this first show after Mothers' Day, the Eyres pay tribute to Moms and their elegant fulfillment of the hardest job in the world. Linda wrote a book a few years back, with their daughter Shawni, called A Mothers Book of Secrets and the book becomes an outline or a five part text for today's show. First, Mothers need to look for light in the trenches, and find the golden moments amidst the turmoil and fatigue. Second, Moms have to have an Organized Offense and a plan instead of just reacting. Third, Mothers need to analyze their children and try to understand what each needs. Fourth Moms should understand that kids are like puzzles and we never find all the pieces at once. And fifth, Mothers need to find ways to give their children ownership of their clothes, their toys, their conflicts and their choices. Every mom is different, every family is different, and every child is different, but with divine guidance, all mothers can find the unique joy of their preeminent role.

A Secret Code for Better Family Communication May 09, 2020

Show notes

On today's show, the Eyres talk about a Secret Code for families based on animals that children love. Humpback Whales never interrupt each other as they sing their deep-ocean songs. Crabs can be caught in a bucket and never escape because their instinct is to pull each other back. Elephants are both firm and tender with their great trunks. The tortoise beats the rabbit because he is steady and keeps on going. Redwood trees stand tall and strong in the wind because their roots intertwine below the ground. Once the stories are told and understood, one single word can replace a lecture. When one child is criticizing another, the parent says "CRAB". When someone is rude or interrupts, get eye contact and say "WHALE". Richard and Linda talk about how to tell the stories and to get the drawings of all nine Animal-Symbols and how to use them as reminders in improving children's behavior.

Empty Nest Parenting May 02, 2020

Show notes

Both parents and children undergo a profound transition when children leave the home. As a child heads out for college or for a mission or for a job, he or she is still part of the family, but no longer a part of the household. How that transition is made, and how much thought goes into it will have a lasting effect on family relationships and on how close and committed the family is for decades to come. On today's show, the Eyres talk about how parenting changes but does not diminish in importance as kids leave home. Having a plan for that transition--deliberately thinking through how you will communicate and find the balance between independence and interdependence can make your relationship grow stronger rather than weakening when you no longer live together. Richard and Linda review dozens of questions that parents ask about the empty nest phase, and then they share the Eyre families "Constitution" that they put together with their leaving-the-nest kids in which they came to some agreements for their ongoing social, emotional, financial, and spiritual relationships for the future.

11 Elements of all Happy Families Apr 25, 2020

Show notes

On the first page of Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy says "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The Eyres' interpretation of that statement is that there are certain elements present in all mostly happy and functional families, and even though every family is unique; all families that seem to work and to last somehow manage to develop each of these critical elements. Commitment, communication, purpose, priorities, rules, responsibility, traditions, heritage and roots, and the teaching of values and correct principles. Some years ago, in their book The Happy Family, Richard and Linda discussed these common elements at length. On today's show, they challenge listeners to "Use this Pandemic-given extra time at home with kids as an INTERMISSION in which we evaluate our families and decide what we will do better and differently during the upcoming second act of our lives."

On Perspective Apr 18, 2020

Show notes

In this time of crisis, uncertainty, and pandemic, The Eyres suggest that one of the things that helps most is to TAKE THE LONG VIEW OF THINGS! Yes, this is awful on many levels, but along with the silver linings we have mentioned on past shows, there is an opportunity to pull back and try to see the bigger picture. Quoting Shakespeare and Wordsworth, Richard and Linda point out that "sweet are the uses of adversity" and that "our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting." Seeing things bigger always makes what is happening at the moment seem smaller. Many people of faith believe not only in a eternal afterlife, but in an equally eternal pre-mortal life. On today's show, the Eyres talk about this "forever backward" and how it can help us to put the here and now in perspective.

Would You Like Two or Three Months to Re-Evaluate Your Life? Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Just returning from the marriage of their granddaughter which Richard performed on a red rock plateau above the Colorado River, the Eyres were in a reflective mood for today's show and pondering some of the blessings and tender mercies that can come out of this tragic pandemic. Participating in a world-wide fast and prayer, Richard and Linda discuss the silver lining of how many families are re-structuring their priorities and deliberately renewing their commitments to spouse and children and extended family during this time of crisis and loss. The forces of darkness say "fear and panic, close everything down, economic turmoil." But the forces of light say "unite neighborhoods, have family dinner, slow down and appreciate, teach our children, improve relationships." They also discuss their instagram post for this Easter weekend about the healing power of Christ.

How to Talk to Your Child about Sex Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

During this time of isolation and quarantine, while many of us have more time with our children than ever before the Eyres have a challenge: Use a little of this "extra time" to have some very important and special individual talks with our children about sex and intimacy. On today's show, Richard and Linda give us an actual, proven dialogue that has been used by tens of thousands of parents to give their children a positive yet protective view of sex. They suggest several preliminary discussions leading up to "the big talk" which ideally happens when a child turns eight. (but with variations for use when kids are a bit older.) Parents who have "the talk" will find that it opens a level of trust between them and their children that make ALL subjects easier and that opens up a higher form of parent-child communication.

An Emotional First Aid Kit for Mothers Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

As the pandemic continues, we hope and pray not only for a cure for the virus, but for some emotional first aid within our own families. We are truly in a new normal as parents with our kids, and we don't know how long it will last. On today's show, the Eyres talk about some simple applications of "emotional first aid" that can help us and our children to not only get through this crisis, but to build some strong family systems that will be valuable even when this pandemic is over. And we must remember that we need to take care of ourselves as well as our children. Find a way to get out and exercise and clear your head. Find time to meditate and to pray. Find time to comfort and reassure your children. Use technology to stay close to those you love and need emotional nourishment from even though you can't be with them. You can do this! You are stronger than you know!

A "Stewardship Attitude" During this Pandemic Mar 21, 2020

Show notes

In "normal life" there is often a disconnect between what we know is most important and where we spend our time and mental energy. We all know family is our top priority, but it often gets less attention and effort than our jobs and our other interests. This pandemic, with everything canceled and with kids out of school, may actually help us better align what matters most and where we spend our effort and our energy. This all ties in with the powerful concept of Stewardship and of acknowledging that we own nothing and God owns everything--thus we need to be better stewards over the most important stewardship of all--our marriages and our families. On today's show, the Eyres outline what a Stewardship attitude looks like and how it can help us get through this pandemic and actually improve our priorities and our stewardship responsibilities over the long term.

Virus Situation Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

Along with the fear and frustration of this current situation with coronavirus, are there good things and perhaps rare opportunities within our families and inside our own heads? As events and church meetings and schools are canceled, and as we find ourselves less busy, can we (along with our caution and vigilance) find some special opportunities for introspection, for quality family time, for relationships, and for closer bonding with those we love?

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