I really enjoyed talking to Chris and Julie about their journey with parenting. While moving to California, Julie was diagnosed with cancer, yet they found the strength to thrive, rebuild a church and a community from scratch, and share their story in their new book, 'Fighting for Family.' I witnessed a lot of generosity and humbleness in their book and through my conversation with them. They have a great relationship with their children, which to me is the ultimate proof of a strong family. Here are the topics we covered:

• Fostering resilience and connection: highlighting the importance of learning resilience personally before teaching it to their children, and emphasizing the need for authenticity and vulnerability within the family.
• Setting practical goals for your family: seeking to understand before being understood, believing the best about each other, having open and honest conversations, working through difficulties, and inviting feedback without defensiveness.
• Recognizing when support is needed: Julie was able to see when her daughter needed emotional well-being support, ultimately leading her to homeschool her.
• Setting healthy boundaries: Julie shared how she and Chris were able to communicate openly about their needs in their relationship.
• Embracing imperfection: acknowledging that messiness is a natural part of family life and encouraging embracing imperfection rather than striving for an unrealistic ideal.
• Three commitments they strive to live by: admitting they can't control everything, being messy around others, and letting people be complicated, among others.

Click here to contact Chris and Julie

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In this episode of the Real Parenting Stories podcast, Alexandria shares her deeply personal journey of facing postpartum depression, unexpected health issues, and the discovery of her son's autism, and ADHD diagnosis. I really enjoyed talking with her and understood that at some point or another we all face the same challenges with parenting and have an opportunity to uncover important life lessons:

• Trusting Mother's Intuition: Alexandria reconnected with the significance of trusting one's instincts in recognizing potential challenges in a child's development, highlighting the power of maternal intuition in seeking early support.
• Coping with Postpartum Depression: Reflecting on her journey through postpartum depression and subsequent health issues, Alexandria shares the emotional toll and challenges she faced, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and advocating for oneself during difficult times.
• Supporting Children with Special Needs: Alexandria offers heartfelt advice for parents raising children with special needs, emphasizing the significance of creating a loving and supportive home environment where children feel accepted and empowered to be themselves.
• Navigating Sibling Dynamics: Addressing the dynamics between siblings, especially when one child has special needs, Alexandria shares strategies for fostering understanding and support within the family unit, promoting empathy and acceptance among siblings.
• Advocacy and Self-Care: At all times, no matter what, prioritizing well-being, seeking support, and advocating for children's rights is a must.
• Embracing Unpredictability: Alexandria shares her journey of letting go of expectations and embracing the present moment in parenting, encouraging parents to focus on creating a supportive and loving environment for their children while addressing tomorrow's challenges as they arise.

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This is probably one of the top 5 episodes of the series. I interviewed Christina, a mother of two grown-up children, when Real Parenting Stories was still an embryo project. In my opinion, she completely nailed the parenting job, as her own grown-up children still enjoy spending time with her, one of them being in the teenage years (yes, it is true and possible). We talked about so many foundational topics around parenting and healthy relationships:

• How to react when your toddler throws a tantrum
• Why and how to find a parenting mentor (Christina is definitely one of those for me)
• How to set up healthy boundaries
• How to react when your child says "I don't like you"
• Avoiding power struggles and negotiations, and avoiding overreacting to allow children to self-evaluate
• The importance of writing your own family mission statement
• How to be on a united front with your life partner
• Why and how to have a healthy argument with your partner in front of your kids
• Planning for the endgame of parenting and knowing when to let go as children grow older

Here is the book link for "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee".

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To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

To celebrate his birthday, I decided to release a new episode with the one and only Laird!

We covered:

• Work-Life Balance
• Partner Support (yes, even when you're tired)
• Financial Planning
• Analysis of Bluey's Parents' Mistreatment
• Tips on Staying Grounded

I know he hates that picture of himself, but I didn't have anything else on hand at the moment. (sorry...)

To contact Laird: lairdreedsphysicaltherapy.com

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To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

Dive into a captivating conversation on #Parenting with Jeff, a seasoned parent, political professional and writer of Four Lessons From My Three Sons. Gain insights on:

▶︎ Resilience & Independence: Jeff shares how fostering resilience in kids prepares them for life's challenges, drawing on his experiences as a parent and military professional.

▶︎ Navigating Technology: Learn practical strategies to balance screen time and foster healthy tech habits in the digital age.

▶︎ Parenting Across Generations: Explore the intergenerational aspects of parenting, from Jeff's own upbringing to the unique paths his three sons chose, including a peek into their global military journeys.

▶︎ Unforgettable Moments: Discover touching anecdotes, from driving hours for a junior high game to witnessing all three sons graduate from college.

▶︎ Balancing Independence & Support: Jeff discusses the delicate balance between fostering independence in kids while providing the necessary support system, drawing parallels from his parenting journey.

▶︎ Impact of Sports & Athletics: Explore how involvement in sports and athletics played a pivotal role in shaping Jeff's parenting philosophy and instilling valuable life skills in his children.

▶︎ Humor in Parenting: Discover the role of humor in navigating the ups and downs of parenting, including funny anecdotes about job interviews and the unexpected moments that bring joy.

To contact Jeff Nelligan or learn more about his work: www.nelliganbooks.com .

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

In this episode, discover insightful guidance from Lilia Mead, a Divorce Doula, covering a variety of crucial topics regarding the divorce journey:

▶︎ Understanding the Role of a Divorce Doula: Explore the valuable role of a divorce doula and how they navigate the complexities of divorce, whether you're considering divorce, contemplating the decision, or curious about post-divorce life.

▶︎ Recognizing Signs for Divorce: Delve into recognizing signs indicating it might be time to consider divorce, offering introspection and guidance for individuals questioning the future of their relationship.

▶︎ Transitioning After Divorce: Gain valuable insights into transitioning after divorce, understanding the emotional and practical challenges, including emotional volatility, financial insecurity, and the absence of partnership and companionship.

▶︎ Impacts on Family and Kids: Explore the profound impacts divorce can have on family dynamics and children, offering considerations for handling this sensitive aspect with care and understanding.

▶︎ Mindfulness and Emotional Healing: Discover mindfulness and emotional healing tools to navigate the divorce process, focusing on being present, acknowledging feelings, and managing emotional challenges effectively.

▶︎ Effective Communication Post-Divorce: Learn about effective communication strategies post-divorce, emphasizing nonviolent communication (NVC) to resolve conflicts in a mindful and non-confrontational manner. Lilia's blog post on the topic.

...and more!

To contact Lilia on Instagram: divorce_doula_

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

Britney's path to fame was undoubtedly special, but as we all know, achieving such levels of stardom is a journey that involves not just luck and hard work, but also the influence of family and a well-organized support system. I couldn't help but get into the fascinating journey through Britney Spears' highly anticipated book, 'The Woman in Me.' In this episode, I delve into Britney's memoir to discover the pearls of wisdom it holds for parents:

▶︎ Uncover Britney's unique upbringing and her distinct parenting style, all in her own words.

▶︎ Gain intimate insight into the life of this pop icon as she shares her raw and authentic experiences as a mother and a woman.

▶︎ Learn from the valuable lessons and wisdom Britney imparts through her captivating storytelling.

▶︎ Take a deep dive into Britney Spears' incredible journey and her perspective on parenting.

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To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

In this episode, we delve into a recent article from the Pediatricians Journal, addressing the mental health crisis in the US and exploring potential solutions. Here are the key topics covered:

▶︎ Decline in children's opportunities for independent activity

▶︎ Rise in anxiety and depression among children

▶︎ Immediate and long-term effects of independent activity

▶︎ Self-determination theory's role in children's mental well-being

▶︎ An evolutionary perspective on children's development

▶︎ Implications for children's health and happiness

▶︎ The role of parents, pediatricians, educators, and policymakers

For more details, you can read the full article here.

to learn more about Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories