How Connecting with Your People Will Help You Succeed
In this hectic world we live in, we often only have the time and energy to correct our kids, discuss to-dos, and make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there. We are juggling home life, work, marriage, schedules. It's no wonder we barely have time for connection.
In this hectic world we live in, we often only have the time and energy to correct our kids, discuss to-dos, and make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there. We are juggling home life, work, marriage, schedules. It's no wonder we barely have time for connection.
You might think going about our business without slowing down to connect would help us get more done and make us more efficient, but in fact, it does not.
One day one of my kids can home for school in a bad mood. They were unkind to their siblings and short-tempered while doing their homework. I asked them to clean up their snack, and they acted like they didn't hear me
At that moment, I had a choice to make. I could freak out and punish them, or I could take a moment to connect with them and get to the bottom of what was going on. Thankfully I was having a good day, and I chose the latter. I took a deep breath and said, "Hey, what's going on? Did something happen at school today?"
They opened up and told me that something indeed happened on the playground that day.
Because I was able to slow down and connect with my kiddo, I saw a shift in my child's demeanor. They had more patience for themselves, were able to finish their homework without losing their cool. Not only that, they cleaned up as I asked.
We build connections and take steps towards our desired outcome when we take the time to see and hear others, become concerned for one another, and come alongside each other in our everyday.
Here are a few ways you can connect with your people:
Ask questions. Don't assume you always know what's going on or what another person is feeling. Slow down and listen. Ask open-ended questions.
Show empathy. Recognize how the other person feels and understand their point of view is important to them.
Share your feelings and thoughts when appropriate. Remember that children will listen to you once they feel heard.
We all yearn for connection — with our kids, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends. We weren't created to be robots going about our day in the most efficient way possible. We were meant to do this life WITH our people.
My conversation with Brian Dixon on The Family Culture Project podcast that I would, in fact, have a more significant impact as a wife, mother, friend when I connect with my people.
Brian had a habit, both in his business and his family, of putting projects before people. Then he had a unique experience that showed him that this thing that he thought made him successful might be the very thing that was holding him back from the success at work and home. He writes about it in his new book Start with Your People.
As he began to master the art of connection, he saw exponential growth personally and professionally.
As you read this post or listen to this interview, think about the people in your life that you would like to connect with and decide on one way you can begin to do that today!
Listen to my interview with Brian Dixon on The Family Culture Project podcast here >> Ep. 64 Brian Dixon and Why Connecting with Your People Matters
Be sure to subscribe to the show in iTunes or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
{This post contains links and references to products and services that may have affiliates, sponsorships, or other business relationships. I may receive compensation from referrals or sales actions. Thank you for your support! }
The Best Time to Teach Your Kids About Money
Reports show that most parents don't talk to their kids about money. The main reason is that they don't feel confident about sharing personal finance lessons with them. As a result, the vast majority of kids enter the real world without ever learning about money in school or at home. If we don't teach your kids how to manage money, somebody else will.
Reports show that most parents don't talk to their kids about money. The main reason is that they don't feel confident about sharing personal finance lessons with them. As a result, the vast majority of kids enter the real world without ever learning about money in school or at home.
I was one of those kids. I had a part-time job in high school, so I earned money to go out with my friends and buy a few things. But that experience alone was not enough to equip me to manage money well. In college, I racked up credit card bills, partially because I didn't have money for school expenses, but if I'm honest, it was because I bought things I didn't need. It took a long time for me to get back to get to a financially healthy place.
This is why I am so passionate about teaching our kids about money. And it's a topic I have talked a lot about here on the blog.
If we don't teach your kids how to manage money, somebody else will.
We don't have to have a perfect financial record or have reached our financial goals to talk to our children about this topic.
You can give your kids what they need to win with money at any age when you:
Decide what you believe about money.
Start the conversation about money with the kids when they are young.
My conversation with Art Rainer on The Family Culture Project podcast reminded me of just how much fun learning about money can be. He created a series of chapter books that teach kids ages 6-9 basic financial principles.
The Great Lemonade Stand Standoff (The Secret Slide Money Club, Book 1)
Trouble at the Toy Store (The Secret Slide Money Club, Book 3)
These books follow Jake, Sophia, and Brody on adventures that teach them about the biblical financial principles of give, save, spend.
Stories, especially fun and entertaining ones, are incredible tools to teach kids life lessons.
Listen to my interview with Art Rainer on The Family Culture Project podcast here >> Art Rainer and The Best Time to Teach Your Kids About Money
Be sure to subscribe to the show in iTunes or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
{This post contains links and references to products and services that may have affiliates, sponsorships, or other business relationships. I may receive compensation from referrals or sales actions. Thank you for your support! }
How to Equip Your Kids with What You Want Them to Know
Driving culture is primarily a teaching function. If you don’t know what you are teaching, you won't do it well. That’s why taking the time to map out what you value and believe is so crucial. Here are the simple steps you can take to share your faith, value, and beliefs with your kids.
Driving culture is primarily a teaching function. If you don't know what you are teaching, you won't do it well. That's why taking the time to map out what you value and believe is so crucial. It creates a curriculum for the way you will do life.
Our family is one of the busiest seasons of our life together. It's all good stuff, things we have intentionally chosen to do; however, If we are not careful, we could default to survival mode, and I miss opportunities to invest in our children.
Our oldest daughter is 2 years away from graduating high school, and I find myself wondering if we have taught her what she needs to know before she goes off on her own. Our overall culture is stronger but can't help but ask myself have I taken the time to teach her the finer points of:
Friendship
Dating relationships
Finances
Setting and achieving a goal
My conversation with Steve Graves, on The Family Culture Project podcast, has inspired me not just to hope that I will have an opportunity to talk with my daughter about the important things I listed but to actually take the time to do it.
Steve decided he wanted to make a long-term investment into his relationship with his son. So he began taking him to their local bagel shop to discuss life over breakfast. And over the following three years, they talked about each of the "deposits" that you will find in his book 41 Deposits: Crucial Conversations for Fathers and Sons.
I learned that to equip your kids with what you want them to know you can:
Decide upfront what you want your child or children to learn. Grab a pen and a piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind. Then prioritize those things that are most important in this season.
Schedule a regular time to talk with them about these topics or issues. Don't wait for teachable moments to pop up. They may never happen. Pick a regular day and time that you can spend with your child and put it in your calendar. Pick a place outside your house to meet. The park, playground, or favorite restaurant.
Making a list of things to talk about ahead of time will give you direction. I know when I have a plan, I get excited about what I am doing. The more decisions I make ahead of time, the easier it is for me to transform my good intentions a reality.
Many times kids keep the things they struggle with to themselves, so we may not know when they need our encouragement and wisdom until it's too late. When creating your list, anticipate what they need in their current and upcoming season. This was they can and stay ahead of the drama, or dilemma they may face.
Your kid doesn't have to be a teenager for this to be worth doing.
They need your words of wisdom in the kindergarten, second grade, middle school, and beyond. Try to remember back to when we were your child's age and think about you would tell your younger self.
This doesn't have to be complicated.
You don't have to be a pastor or author to have something important to teach your children. Nor does it have to be well crafted. It can be as simple as when you share your thoughts and feelings with a friend over coffee.
Do what works for you in the season your in. If it's too hard, you won't do it. You can brainstorm your own ideas, or you can grab resources like the one our guest created and use it as a guide or what Steve life to call a "cheat sheet."
We've created a worksheet that will help you list your very own deposits, the things you want your kids to learn.
The FREE download will also include a link to Steve's book plus other resources that takes the guesswork out of what to talk about with your kids at various ages.
Listen to my interview with Steve Graves on The Family Culture Project podcast here >> Steve Graves and How to Equip Your Kids with What You Want Them to Know.
Be sure to subscribe to the show in iTunes or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
{This post contains links and references to products and services that may have affiliates, sponsorships, or other business relationships. I may receive compensation from referrals or sales actions. Thank you for your support! }
How to Teach Kids How to Abide in Christ
A while back a friend of mine got a dog. To say a few things changed when Marley arrived is an understatement. As I read the series of Facebook posts that followed in the days after Marley’s arrival I was reminded of what it means to abide in Christ. Join me over at Faith Gateway as I share what I learned. There’s also some tips on how we cant teach our kids to abide in Christ too!
A while back a friend of mine got a dog. To say a few things changed when Marley arrived is an understatement. Thanks to status updates everyday, I’ve been able to “meet” her. Not only do I get to see how adorable she is but I also get a peek into the adventures this family is having as they enjoy the newest member of their household.
As I read the series of Facebook posts that followed in the days after Marley’s arrival I was reminded of what it means to abide in Christ.
Join me over at Faith Gateway as I share what I learned. There’s also some tips on how we cant teach our kids to abide in Christ too!
How to Help Your Kids Crush Comparison
At a young age, kids start to compare themselves and place their value and worth in how they measure up to their peers. Comparison is rarely healthy, and most of the time leaves us feeling discouraged and insecure. Moreover, it robs our kids of joy and prevents them from embracing who God created them to be.
At a young age, kids start to compare themselves and place their value and worth in how they measure up to their peers. Comparison is rarely healthy, and most of the time leaves us feeling discouraged and insecure. Moreover, it robs our kids of joy and prevents them from embracing who God created them to be.
I am over at Faith Gateway sharing a few ways as parents we can help our children avoid the trap of comparison. Join me there...
Everything is Better with a Friend
My kids gave me a long list of things they want to do once school gets out.
The list included going to the zoo, the park, museums, and the beach. They would like to make crafts, host play dates, and have sleepovers with their friends. These activities all sounds fun. However, I honestly don’t look forward to most of it. At least not with just them. I know that sounds awful but let me explain.
I love spending time with my little ones. The things we do together are super fun; there is plenty of laughter, joy, and teachable moments. But being with another mom and her little ones makes everything so much more fun.
My kids gave me a long list of things they want to do once school gets out.
The list included going to the zoo, the park, museums, and the beach. They would like to make crafts, host play dates, and have sleepovers with their friends. These activities all sounds fun. However, I honestly don’t look forward to most of it. At least not with just them. I know that sounds awful but let me explain.
I love spending time with my little ones. The things we do together are super fun; there is plenty of laughter, joy, and teachable moments. But being with another mom and her little ones makes everything so much more fun.
Meet me over at Faith Gateway to read more!
How to Help Kids Navigate Change and Uncertainty
Do you have a child facing a new change or struggle?
When my kids feel helpless, the first thing I want to do is fix what’s broken. But If I am not careful, I will create a culture in my home of making sure my kids are always comfortable. It may feel loving to stay one step ahead of the obstacles my kids may face, however, a parent’s job isn’t to be there for their kids all the time. It’s to teach them how to problem-solve and prepare them for life without us.
Do you have a child facing a change or transition?
When my kids feel helpless, the first thing I want to do is fix what’s broken. But If I am not careful, I will create a culture in my home of making sure my kids are always comfortable. It may feel loving to stay one step ahead of the obstacles my kids may face, however, a parent’s job isn’t to be there for their kids all the time. It’s to teach them how to problem-solve and prepare them for life without us.
Meet me at Faith Gateway to read about how to help kids navigate change and uncertainty. Read more
Summer Reading: Tweens and Teen Girls
The older my daughter gets, the more choices she’ll make on her own and I want to prepare her. There are a few things I want her to have as she heads into these years and I am grateful that there are resources to help.
It feels like just yesterday that I dropped my daughter off at Kindergarten. As she walked into her classroom with hesitation, my eyes filled with tears. I wondered how she would do in this new environment with strangers. I worried that my shy little girl would have trouble making friends.
I find myself thinking of this as I prepare her for middle school. She has come so far since that first day of school but it doesn’t keep me from wondering if she is ready to navigate the next few years. It’s as if overnight, the game has changed and the stakes are higher than they were in elementary school. Her body is starting to develop, relationships have become more complicated, and the pressure to perform academically has increased.
The older my daughter gets, the more choices she’ll make on her own and I want to prepare her. There are a few things I want her to have as she heads into these years and I am grateful that there are resources to help.
Head over to Faith Gateway and see what books we will be binge reading over the summer as we prepare for the new season that she is entering.