Married and Parented | Intro to marriage

Welcome back to the married and parented podcast. This episode, I interview my 4 year old son: Shay.

My daughter anna is interviewed. She is 7 now. Opinionated. Honest, and kind.  

No matter how great your relationship is, it can always be better. I truly believe the best relationships are the ones in which the individuals put EFFORT into them. Just like with anything in life, the results you have are directly linked the effort you put in.  Here are some ideas of New Year’s resolutions for couples that will help make this year your best love year yet! 1. DO SOMETHING NEW EVERY MONTH Novelty keeps love alive in relationships! It helps keep the relationship fresh and exciting. Make a New Year’s resolution for couples to do one new thing together every month. This can be traveling to a new city, learning something new together, trying a new food, or doing a new activity.  2. FIGHT CLEAN FOR YOUR COUPLES NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION This is a great new year’s resolution for couples because studies have found that the best indicator of a couple’s long-term potential is the way they fight. It’s so interesting because we usually are the meanest to the people we love the most. It’s important to remember to treat our significant other with love ALL the time, even during the worst of fights! 3. INSTITUTE A WEEKLY DATE NIGHT This one is our New Year’s resolutions for couples for year! - Having a weekly date night (Netflix doesn’t count), gets tough! Regardless of job or family responsibilities. 4. DITCH ASSUMPTIONS It is HARD not to make assumptions and this one that I definitely struggle with. We all have unique thought patterns and so we come to different conclusions on why others do things. However, our conclusions most often are NOT accurate. 5. GET TO KNOW THE OTHER PERSON’S HOBBIES Most likely you both have interests that are different than the other person. You don’t have to do everything together or like all the same things; that could get really boring. However, it is nice once in a while to do things that you don’t like just because your partner likes it. 6. TALK ABOUT THE ACTUAL ISSUE DURING ARGUMENTS Sometimes it can be hard to talk to your partner about the real reason that you are upset with them. It might be because you are embarrassed to admit what you’re bothered by, you might feel they will get mad at what the issue is, or you just feel as though they should already know.

Today's Podcast is all about Drew. Baby Drew. About how he came into this world, and how his week came to be.  

Today's Podcast is all about Drew. Baby Drew. About how he came into this world, and how his week came to be.  

Welcome to Married and Parented. Today's podcast is about our 4th pregnancy.

Welcome to Married and Parented. Today's podcast is about our 4th pregnancy.

Father's Day grieving

Father's Day grieving

Father's Day grieving

Ok Boomers. We need to talk about this pandemic thing.

Ok Boomers. We need to talk about this pandemic thing.

Ok Boomers. We need to talk about this pandemic thing.

We are free from the chaos. NB is sitting good. My perspective on Covid-19

We are free from the chaos. NB is sitting good. My perspective on Covid-19

We are free from the chaos. NB is sitting good. My perspective on Covid-19

Welcome to Married and Parented. Today I talk about my 5 christian songs that have made an impact on me, and their stories behind their songs. What songs shaped me when I became a christian and had a new love of Christ. Listen and find out. Invite someone to church, it could change their live like it did mine.

Welcome to Married and Parented. Today I talk about my 5 christian songs that have made an impact on me, and their stories behind their songs. What songs shaped me when I became a christian and had a new love of Christ. Listen and find out. Invite someone to church, it could change their live like it did mine.

Welcome to Married and Parented. Today I talk about my 5 christian songs that have made an impact on me, and their stories behind their songs. What songs shaped me when I became a christian and had a new love of Christ. Listen and find out. Invite someone to church, it could change their live like it did mine.

At home with your family in close quarters.  Your children are running around wild, and you’re wondering how you’re going to get your work done and care for your kids at the same time. Kids don’t understand that when mom and dad are home on their computers, they really aren’t “there.”  Actually, spouses may not understand that either. Or maybe you are a stay-at-home mom or dad who normally relies on the quiet times during the day while your kids are in school in order to be present and engaging when they come home.  So when they interrupt, you get annoyed and pretty soon, there are some harsh words or tears or slamming doors. Grace – An undeserved gift The Bible describes grace as an undeserved gift from God. We are to extend this same undeserved kindness to others, including our beloved friends and family members. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” G – Begin with gratitude. When I’m ready to react in anger, I stop and recognize that I’m grateful and blessed to have a husband, children and other loved ones who love and support me. R – Resist the emotions. I make a choice to resist expressing negative emotions. A – Adjust my thinking. I realize that whatever my loved one is doing that is annoying me is likely unintentional. Rather, it’s his or her way of communicating a need. C – Communicate kindly. Sometimes it helps to start with a question. “What can I do for you?” “How can I help?” Or, offer an honest response. “I know this is hard on all of us.” E – Express genuine appreciation. This becomes the underserved gift. You might be able to make a good argument for dishing out some criticism but when you turn that urge around and offer an encouraging word instead, most often that response calms the other person down. How am I supposed to show grace when I don’t even have a moment to think?