Our Nuclear Family - Parenting Ideas for an Explosive World

Cross That Bridge When We Get There May 20, 2024

Parenting is busy. It is hard. It is full of the potential for worry and anxiety. As parents, we will always worry about our children, and we should - to an extent. To keep our stress level at an acceptable level, we have a phrase we often use to remind ourselves of which worries are worth stressing over right now. Check out this episode to hear for yourselves!
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Check us out on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or our website Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)

How Do We Build Our Kids' Confidence? May 06, 2024

People who are confident are more likely to have better pay, get treated with greater respect, and develop better resiliency. These are just a few reasons why we want to cultivate confidence in our kids. The question is whether it is possible and - if so - how to do it.
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No Pets Allowed! Apr 15, 2024

After our dog passed away, Kathryn and I were determined not to have any more pets, not even fish. It just did not fit our current life circumstances. But that changed when our sweet oldest daughter made a persuasive argument for getting guinea pigs. Even though we gave in, we did so on our own terms. Tune in to see what that means!
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Find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or visit our website Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)

Setting up Spaces For Success Apr 01, 2024

We're back! And this is no April Fool's Joke! Our Nuclear Family needed some time to figure out our spaces in a new house with new routines and a new teenager. With so much turnover happening, we realized a need for systems and structures was necessary for us to have our house function the way we want it to. Today, we are discussing the importance of having systems that lead to success. Enjoy!
If you'd like to contact us you can find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family and you can support our work by donating to our Buy Me A Coffee Page. Thanks for your support!
OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

A Recipe for the Perfect Summer Jun 20, 2023

Do you feel the pressure of trying to squeeze every ounce of good energy out of summer or give your kids the perfect, memorable vacation this year? After all, we only get about 18 summers with our kids, right? We have to make it count! If you are wondering how to have a perfect summer, listen to this episode; you won't regret it!
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Finding Balance as Parents Jun 05, 2023

We are often looking for balance in life: a balanced diet, work-life balance, etc. so it would follow that we would seek balance in our parenting. But is that really what we want? Or is there something better? That's what this discussion is about.
If you have questions or would like to send us a message, you can find us on Instagram @Our.Nuclear.Family or online at Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)
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Teaching Our Kids About Money - Two Years Later May 22, 2023

A couple years ago, we started a plan to teach our kids about money. On this episode we answer some frequently asked questions and also bring in some experts: our kids!
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RE-RELEASE: Teaching Our Kids About Money Apr 24, 2023

Some of our most frequently asked questions are about our kids and their allowance so we are re-releasing our season 1 episode talking about how we help our kids understand the value of things and the ideas of spending, saving, and giving.
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When is Parenting Going to Get Fun? Apr 11, 2023

Is parenting fun? Is it supposed to be? On this episode, we discuss what makes it difficult to enjoy parenting and how we can reframe these challenges into opportunities to experience the joy kids bring.
If you have questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or online at Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)
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Are We Giving Our Kids Enough Attention? Mar 27, 2023

Kids come out of the womb demanding our attention, and their need for it seems to never stop. On this episode, Matthew and Kathryn discuss the very real struggle of trying to determine the right amount and -- even more importantly -- the right kind of attention our kids need to thrive.
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If you'd like to message us, you can find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or visit our website: Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)

Supporting Siblings Mar 13, 2023

A sibling relationship is one of the most enduring relationships in our lives and hopefully one of the most rewarding, too. In this episode, we discuss what supporting siblings has looked like in our house in the past and what it could look like as our kids get older.
The Andy Stanley podcast episode we mentioned can be found here:Andy Stanley | January 2023: Creating Vision for Parenting with Sandra Stanley - Andy Stanley
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If you have questions or comments for us, feel free to find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or on our website: Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)

BONUS EPISODE: Modeling Self-Care Mar 01, 2023

As soon as we hit stop on our last episode, we had more thoughts to get out. From bedtime routines to exercising and more, we discuss the importance of self-care in our lives, and especially the importance of modeling it for our kids.
As always, if you have questions or comments, you can find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or visit us on our website: Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)
If you would like to help us financially, you can buy us our next cup of coffee by clicking here OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

It's Bedtime! Go to Bed! Feb 27, 2023

We all need sleep, adults and kids alike--but getting kids to fall asleep can be tricky! We definitely do not have all the answers, and each circumstance is different, but this episode is about us discussing what has worked for our kids and will hopefully spark some ideas that can be incorporated into other bedtime routines as well.
As always, if you have questions or comments, you can find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or visit us on our website: Our Nuclear Family | Parenting Podcast (mkditson.wixsite.com)
If you would like to help us financially, you can buy us our next cup of coffee by clicking here OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

Say You're Sorry! Feb 13, 2023

As adults we know the value of apologies and forgiveness -- even if we don't always feel like doing it. We do, however, want our kids to experience the freedom that comes from learning these crucial life skills. So, do we force them to say the words? How do we teach apology and forgiveness?
The podcast referenced in this episode can be found here: The science of healthy relationships with John and Julie Gottman | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant - YouTube
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Diving in to 2023! Jan 30, 2023

While the traditional time for New Year's Resolutions may have come and gone, there is always time to set our intention, especially as it comes to parenting. Instead of resolutions, we find it helpful to focus on a single word or phrase to guide us. In this episode, we share our "word" for 2023, talk about what it means to us, and hopefully provide listeners with an idea or two to focus on in 2023.
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If you have a question or comment, we'd love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or send us a voice memo through our website ABOUT THE PODCAST |OUR NUCLEAR FAMILY (mkditson.wixsite.com)

My Kids Will Never...The Christmas Edition Dec 12, 2022

There are many times we have seen other peoples' kids act a certain way and think, "My kids will NEVER do that." There are just as many times we have looked at other parents acting a certain way and think, "I will NEVER do that." And of course, there are many MANY times we find our kids or ourselves acting in a way we never thought possible. The chances for these opportunities ratchet up during the Christmas season when there is so much newness going on around us. All that and more in this episode!
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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Nov 28, 2022

The Christmas Season is upon us once again, and if you are like us, there is so much fun to be had that it can feel overwhelming and even suck some of the joy out of the most wonderful time of the year. To avoid that, we are being intentional about discussing our priorities for the season, filling out our must-do list, and checking it twice.
The planner Kathryn references from The Minimal Mom is found here: Pre-Christmas Worksheet to reduce Stress & Anxiety (ithinkwecouldbefriends.com) along with lots of other great Christmas ideas!
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To reach out to us with a message of encouragement or a question, find us on Instagram @our.nuclear.family or online at ABOUT THE PODCAST |OUR NUCLEAR FAMILY (mkditson.wixsite.com)

Encouragement to Stay the Course Nov 07, 2022

Parenting is HARD. There are so many difficult challenges that come again and again, and it is exhausting to have to say the same things or do the same things over and over. BUT, we have good news: the hard work does pay off. One day, we will be able to look back and see how far we have come and that our kids are becoming the wonderful kids we'd hoped they would.
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Grieving a Beloved Pet Oct 17, 2022

Our family's first dog, Romeo, passed away after 14 years. In this episode, we talk about helping our kids walk through their grief while also processing our own grief. This is definitely not prescriptive as everybody's grief is different, but hopefully this conversation provides another perspective for those unfortunate moments for when grief is part of life.
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Cultivating a Culture of Curiosity Sep 19, 2022

Despite sayings such as "Curiosity killed the cat," our culture highly values curiosity and openness. These traits are essential in learning, innovation, and imagination, but answering our kids' "Why?" questions all the time can be exhausting. On this episode, we discuss how we work to cultivate a culture of curiosity in a way that doesn't leave us totally fried.
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Helping Kids Navigate Their Fears Sep 05, 2022

Kids can have big, irrational fears, and because they are irrational, it can be hard for us as parents to know how best to help. On this episode, Kathryn and Matthew talk about some different strategies they have tried and how sometimes acknowledging the fear is the best path toward courage.
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One Bite of Zucchini Aug 22, 2022

We are not parenting experts; in fact, we do not even always agree on the best thing to do when parenting our own kids! On this episode, we invite you in on a recent parenting disagreement that happened over one of our kids not wanting to try a bite of zucchini. Have a listen and see who's side you're on!
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When Kids Ask Why Aug 08, 2022

On our last episode, we talked about how important it is to know our Parenting "Why." This episode is a follow-up to that where we dive deeper into what it looks like when our kids ask us, "Why?" and what we do when we don't have the time or the right words to explain it.
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Start with Why - Parenting Edition Jul 25, 2022

Simon Sinek's popular book Start With Why is not just good business advice; it's good for life and especially good in parenting. It can help us prioritize our schedules, identify why we are feeling frustrated, and grow deeper relationships with our children. Listen in as we discuss how to find and share our parenting Why.
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The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Kids and Electronic Devices Jul 11, 2022

In our media-crazed adult world, us parents are continuously thinking about our kids and their media consumption. Should they have an electronic device? What parental controls do we need? How much time should we let them spend playing video games? What about social media? In this episode, Matthew and Kathryn give their initial thoughts on these questions and more.
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If Mama Ain't Happy... Jun 20, 2022

We've all either heard or felt the sentiment behind the expression, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Both moms and dads can have an outsized impact on the emotional barometer of the house, which can sometimes hurt our relationship with our kids. Today's episode is about what's behind these moments and what we do to navigate them.
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The Most Special Kid in the World is No More Special Than Anyone Else May 30, 2022

We want our kids to be confident and full of self-love, but we do not want them to become arrogant. And like all new things our kids learn, they have to learn that balance. On this episode, we discuss how we can help our kids walk that tightrope between confidence and humility, and whether or not those two things are mutually exclusive.
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Is My Kid Old Enough To...? May 16, 2022

Parenting can sometimes feel like an ongoing cycle of wondering whether our child is old enough to do the next thing. From sleeping in their own room and potty training to having a cell phone and dating, we are constantly evaluating whether or not they are ready for a certain conversation or responsibility. Today, we discuss our approach to answering this question.
The book Kathryn references is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
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Do I Have to Play With My Kids All the Time? Apr 25, 2022

We love our kids, and we love developing their imagination, but it can be exhausting--especially as we are trying to cook, clean, do school, work from home, or just have a minute to ourselves. So, is it really ok to let my kids play by themselves? And if so, how can I start that transition? All of that and more in this episode!
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How To Avoid Becoming Those Nagging Parents Apr 11, 2022

None of us want to be those annoying parents who exasperate our children, but if we are not careful, that is exactly the kind of parents we might become. In this episode, we discuss why it is such an easy trap to fall into and some ideas for how we can avoid it.
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Am I Going to Ruin My Kids? Mar 28, 2022

One of our biggest fears as parents is that we might say the wrong thing or do something that will leave our kids "scarred for life." Fear not, however, as we explore what the science has to say about it in this TED Talk: (3) Yuko Munakata: The science behind how parents affect child development | TED - YouTube.
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How We Talk to Ourselves Mar 14, 2022

Have you ever felt you were too busy? Have you thought of yourself as a bad parent or an angry parent? Have you ever said, "I can't," or heard your kids say it? The words we use have significant power. They anchor us to certain traits or attributes, and if we are not careful, these become our default settings and can turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. Today's episode is about changing the defaults so we can live closer to our best lives as parents.
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Talking to Our Kids About the Russia/Ukraine Conflict Mar 01, 2022

There are plenty of topics that are difficult to talk about with our kids, and the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine is just one more example. On this episode, we discuss why we felt it was important to talk to our own kids about the crisis and provide some practical things to consider if you decide to do the same with your own children.
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Bubble-Wrapping Our Kids Feb 14, 2022

We want our kids to have a fun, safe, and easy childhood. So we treat them like glass, and the problem with glass is it is fragile. On this episode, we discuss developing kids with grit so we can equip them to handle the challenges of adulthood.
This episode is inspired by this article: https://reason.com/2017/10/26/the-fragile-generation/
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Comparison is the Thief of Joy Jan 31, 2022

You may have heard the saying, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Unfortunately, our brains are naturally comparative; we cannot shut it off. So what do we do? On this episode, we talk about what we can do when we catch ourselves comparing our kids or our parenting to others.
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Let Your Kids Fight Jan 17, 2022

Listening to our kids argue can be mentally exhausting, and our desire to maintain a peaceful house can have us continuously acting as the judge, which further drains our energy. To stop this never-ending spiral, we suggest a combination of letting kids argue and teaching them how to do it well.
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Do You Have a New Year's Resolution? Jan 03, 2022

The New Year is a great time for reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future. On this episode we reflect on season 1 of our podcast and look ahead with some practical thoughts on keeping New Year's resolutions.
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Oh You Better Watch Out! We're Talking Santa Dec 20, 2021

It's the Holiday season, and there are a ho ho whole lot of ideas about how we should approach the Santa question with our children. On this episode, we give our thoughts on how we approach Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus, especially as our kids get older and more curious about Christmas spirit.
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Thanks So Much for that Unsolicited Parenting Advice... Dec 13, 2021

In the world of parenting, there is no shortage of well-intentioned people willing to tell us the best way to raise our children, but there is a shortage of advice that will actually work for us. How to sift through the sand of advice to pull out the valuable gems is the topic of this conversation.
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Holiday Season Survival Guide Nov 29, 2021

The Holiday Season is upon us! From Christmas parties with friends to family get-togethers, this is a busy time and can be overwhelming for us and our children. In this episode, we talk about how our introverted and extroverted kids alike can experience unique challenges during this most wonderful time of the year.
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What If Incentives and Consequences Aren't Working? Nov 15, 2021

No matter the parent and no matter the kid, it seems like there are some friction points that always pop up in our parenting experiences. From not cleaning their rooms to not doing their schoolwork, from avoiding chores to getting out the door, we try to incentivize good behavior or threaten bad behavior. But maybe there's something else we can do.
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I'm Fine, It's Fine, Everything's Fine Oct 18, 2021

Often times as parents, we feel like we have to always have everything together all the time. But life happens, and being fine all the time is not practical. In this episode, we encourage parents that it is ok to not be ok.
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My Kid is Lying to Me Oct 04, 2021

How do we handle it when -- not if, but when -- our kids lie to us? Today we talk about this universal parenting quandary. Despite our best efforts, our kids will lie to us, and it's up to us to figure out how best to respond so that our kids will learn the importance of honesty.
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All About Routines Sep 20, 2021

As parents, we may struggle getting into a rhythm or routine. But if we can do it, the benefits are immense. A good routine helps us and our kids' mental well-being. And, surprisingly, they enable us to have more flexibility by limiting decision fatigue.
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Boundaries, Consequences, and Discipline, oh my! Part II: Consequences Aug 23, 2021

We don't like disciplining our kids, but having undisciplined children is worse! On this episode, we talk about giving our kids consequences and how that is different than punishment.
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Boundaries, Consequences, and Discipline, oh my! Aug 09, 2021

Is there anything more scary to talk about in parenting circles than disciplining our children? In this conversation, we try to make it less scary by focusing on how boundaries can help us grow in our own lives and can help our kids grow, too!
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Failing Forward Jul 26, 2021

Dealing with failure is tough for any human, but it's especially tough for our young tiny humans who so desperately want to make us proud. But failure does happen, so how do we help our kids get through all the failures required to make it on the path of success? Listen in for our thoughts.
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Teaching Our Kids About Money Jul 12, 2021

Money is all around us. It pervades so much of our lives. If we want our kids to grow up to be successful adults, they have to learn about money. In this episode, we dig into why it's important to teach our kids about money and how we choose to do so.
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What Does Successful Parenting Look Like? Jun 28, 2021

We all want to be good parents. In fact, it is probably our biggest fear as parents that we are not doing a good enough job. So what does successful parenting look like? Matthew and Kathryn share their thoughts in this thoroughly uplifting conversation.
Support Our Nuclear Family by clicking here: OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

Mom, I'm Bored Jun 14, 2021

It's three of the scariest words for a parent to hear: "Mom (or Dad), I'm bored." Today, we talk about how to fight through the boredom and the benefits of allowing space in our daily schedules for our kids to be bored.
Support Our Nuclear Family by clicking here: OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

Summer! May 31, 2021

This episode is a sneak peak into our brainstorming process as we try to tackle a real-life issue facing our family right now: what to do with our kids all summer?!? Without the same routine, we discuss how to keep our kids from turning into summertime couch potatoes while still maintaining some much-needed time off from our academic schedules.
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This Isn't Working May 17, 2021

Every so often, we look at our parenting and just go, "man, this isn't working." So what do we do? We change it up. In this episode, we talk about why some things need to change, how we decide which changes to make, and what guides us along the way.
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Our Homeschooling Decision Part II May 03, 2021

We're picking up where our last conversation left off. There's so much to talk about with homeschooling and there are a lot of questions. We attempt to answer some of the big ones so that listeners can have as much info as necessary to make the best decision for their family.
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OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

Our Homeschooling Decision Apr 19, 2021

The pandemic has brought a lot more attention on homeschooling, and many people have been thrust into an unknown world with mixed results. But this homeschooling year has not been a typical one, and there's hope that the '21-'22 school year will be more "normal." So we thought we'd talk about why we started homeschooling our children before the pandemic started and why we plan to continue in the future so we can encourage others in their schooling decisions.
Support Our Nuclear Family by clicking here! OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

You Let Your Kids Kiss You With That Mouth? Apr 05, 2021

How our kids talk is one of the biggest struggles parents face. This episode is chocked full of our thoughts on how we can help our kids speak respectfully to us and (therefore) to one another.
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Why We Haven't Figured This Parenting Stuff Out Mar 22, 2021

With all the resources out there, all the science devoted to parenting, and all the thousands of years of human experience, how can we still have so many questions about how to parent? Matthew and Kathryn discuss.
Support Our Nuclear Family by clicking here: OurNuclearFam is a parenting encouragement podcast (buymeacoffee.com)

Unhelpful Helpers Mar 08, 2021

A discussion about raising helpful kids when, honestly, it's more work for us to have them help.

Good Cop, Bad Cop Parenting (Part II) Feb 22, 2021

Ken and Robin re-join us for part II of their interview on how they melded their parenting backgrounds into a cohesive philosophy over time.

Good Cop, Bad Cop Parenting Feb 08, 2021

Join us as we chat with special guests Ken and Robin Kelly about the challenges of parenting when we're not on the same page

The Meltdown: Kids and Big Emotions Jan 25, 2021

Emotions are a big part of being human. Although they can sometimes get us into trouble, our emotions are a good thing. How can we encourage our children to use their God-given emotions in a positive way?

I'm Tired of Saying No to my Kids Jan 11, 2021

We want our kids to be obedient, but saying "no" all the time is exhausting. Is there a better way?

Envisioning Our Kids' Education Jan 11, 2021

Knowing what role to take in our kids' education is difficult when we're not in a pandemic. How will it look going forward? Matthew and Kathryn talk it over.

Raising Team Players Jan 11, 2021

Kathryn and Matthew talk about having a team mindset with our kids...and each other

Introducing Our Nuclear Family Jan 07, 2021

Matthew and Kathryn introduce themselves and their podcast