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  • Don’t Stay Stuck: Hopeful Change in Your Default Parenting Habits

    Don’t Stay Stuck: Hopeful Change in Your Default Parenting Habits
    2026/01/12
    Ever wonder why you keep defaulting to the same old parenting habits? Stacy Bellward and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Lori Menikheim explore what causes parents to get stuck, and how to find their way forward. Join us as we begin this 3-part series, Don’t Stay Stuck, and gain some practical insights for developing balance in your parenting journey. Key Takeaways: Hear stories of what getting stuck looks likeLearn about the 4 messages of the Connected Families Framework and how it helps to move forwardLearn how developing balance transforms the parent-child relationship Mentioned in this Podcast: Free Parenting Assessment My Child Refuses to Listen: A Compassionate Approach to PDA | Ep. 282Connected Families Certified Parent Coach ProgramLuke 1:17Power of Questions Online CourseEbook – What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build IdentityLori Menikheim – Connected Families Certified Parent CoachThe Table Monthly Giving ProgramBook – How to Grow a Connected Family Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Lori Menikheim is a wife, mom of two strong-willed teenage girls, and Kids Ministry leader with over 15 years of experience. When she discovered Connected Families, she finally found the language, tools, and hope to parent well and lead ministry well. Now she loves connecting with parents and ministry leaders who want to partner with God in reaching the next generation. © 2025 Connected Families Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!
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    33 分
  • My Child Refuses to Listen: A Compassionate Approach to PDA

    My Child Refuses to Listen: A Compassionate Approach to PDA
    2026/01/05
    Happy New Year! Welcome back to another year of exciting content that we pray will leave you equipped and ready for the unique calling of parenthood you’ve been gifted with this year. You may be wondering, “What is pathological demand avoidance (PDA)?” When your child refuses to listen, it may not be defiance but rather a dysregulated nervous system. In this most-downloaded episode of 2025, hear from Connected Families Content Manager, Laura Way, and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and homeschooling mom, Lydia Rex, as they unpack PDA. Learn how to partner with your child through these challenging moments, using a graceful approach and practical tools from the Connected Families Framework. Key Takeaways: How the Connected Families Framework applies to parenting a sensitive or intense childSimple things you can do now to support your childDiscover ways to shift your perspective and view your experience as a gift Mentioned in this Podcast: Connected Families Sensitive & Intense online courseConnected Families Power of Questions online courseHebrews 4:15 Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Lydia Rex is a registered nurse turned Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner and parent coach to families with young kids, especially those who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. No stranger to the challenges of parenting, Lydia offers empathy, encouragement, and a deep commitment to walking alongside parents through the Connected Families Framework. It’s her joy to see God’s grace healing the hearts of parents and children. Lydia, her husband Kyle, and their two kids live in Iowa, where they enjoy homeschooling, outdoor activities, and reading lots of books. Laura Way felt like she was drowning as a young mom overseas. She thinks that God provided Connected Families for her when she needed it most. She’s thrilled to be on the team, offering hope & help to others! Laura and her husband live in Florida with their two elementary-aged daughters. In her free time, Laura loves to read in her hammock or have coffee with friends. © 2025 Connected Families Dare to dream of peace again. It’s not hopeless. You can ENJOY YOUR KIDS AGAIN. CONNECT WITH A PARENT COACH
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    36 分
  • Behind the Scenes: Intentional Parenting in 2026 and Beyond!

    Behind the Scenes: Intentional Parenting in 2026 and Beyond!
    2025/12/29
    In this heartfelt year-end episode, Connected Families team members Stacy Bellward, Chad Hayenga, and Joe Dewey gather to reflect on a transformative year and share exciting plans for 2026 to continue to encourage you on your journey with intentional parenting. Along the way, they open up about their own families’ rhythms for reflecting on the year past and looking ahead. This episode has practical ideas you can try with your own family. Whether you’re curious about what’s next for Connected Families or looking for fresh ways to close out the year together, this episode has something for you. Key Takeaways: Ideas for family rhythms for year-end reflectionConnected Families highlights from 2025Looking forward to 2026 Mentioned in this Podcast: The Heart of Jesus, Dan Orland BookConnected Families Impact StoriesDonate to Connected FamiliesConnected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Joe Dewey is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. He has a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and has served in full-time ministry with Cru in Leader Development and Human Resources since 2010. He has been a certified life coach since 2017. These experiences and more have molded him to lead with solutions. Whether it comes to ministry or parenting, he finds clarity in the midst of complexity, providing win-win solutions. Chad Hayenga joined Connected Families in 2005. He is married to Carma and has three adult daughters and two sons-in-law. Chad oversees coaching and the Parent Coach Certification Program, which continues to grow in its reach across North America and worldwide. © 2025 Connected Families “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE TODAY
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    33 分
  • Blessed to Be a Blessing: Marriage, Parenting & Legacy

    Blessed to Be a Blessing: Marriage, Parenting & Legacy
    2025/12/22

    What does it look like to live out the Connected Families Framework? What does it look like to live it out in your own heart and relationships? In this final episode of our 3-part series, Hope for the Long Haul, Jim and Lynne Jackson share how the Framework has shaped their lives over time: from finding their identity in Jesus, to marriage, to navigating the joys and challenges of parenting adult children. If you’re wondering whether this stuff really helps in the long term, this one’s for you.

    Key Takeaways:
    • How and what the Connected Families Framework has looked like in their marriage
    • Learning that Jesus is our “report card”
    • What it looks like to keep the connection alive in marriage and in parenting
    • How gifts gone awry and “Foundation” messages impacted their working careers
    Mentioned in this Podcast:
    • Genesis 12:1-3
    • Book mentioned – Connecting: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships by Dr. Larry Crabb
    • The Entitlement Fix online course
    • Donate to Connected Families
    • Trash, Truth, Treasure online mini-course
    • The Connected Families Framework
    • Podcast – Payoffs & Accidental Rewards: How to Focus on the Right Stuff

    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

    This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

    Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

    Guest Bio:

    Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002.

    © 2025 Connected Families
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    25 分
  • Surviving the "Helpful" Advice at Holiday Gatherings

    Surviving the "Helpful" Advice at Holiday Gatherings
    2025/12/18

    In this audioblog, we take on a topic relevant to holiday gatherings: what to do when you receive unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? From preparing ahead of time to helping your kids navigate criticisms, today you’ll hear some practical strategies to help you continue to parent confidently in your grace-based approach.

    Key Takeaways:
    • How to have empathetic responses with your family members before redirecting their approaches
    • Confident responses to practice in advance
    • How to equip your kids with truth before the gathering
    Mentioned in this Podcast:
    • Blog – How to Handle Unsolicited Parenting Advice from Family (4 Grace-Filled Tips)
    • PDF – Scripts for Unsolicited Advice
    • Holiday Family Stress? How to Actually Enjoy Family Gatherings | Ep. 276
    • Luke 1:17
    • Free E-Book – What Kids Need: 4 Messages That Build Identity
    • The Table Monthly Giving Program
    • Give a Gift to Connected Families

    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

    This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

    Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

    © 2025 Connected Families
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    15 分
  • Loving (and Liking) My Kids for a Lifetime

    Loving (and Liking) My Kids for a Lifetime
    2025/12/15

    Keeping “like” alive is what an enduring connection is all about! This week, Connected Families Co-Founders Jim and Lynne Jackson share more about the importance and benefits of lasting connection over time and why it’s the cornerstone of lasting family relationships. Hear from a long-time friend and Connected Families board member on how the framework has impacted his relationships over time, like a compass redirecting him back to loving his kids well and what’s most important when life gets off center. Learn how connection becomes the pathway toward true discipleship and godly influence.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Staying light even in hard times can transform your love into enduring like
    • Discover how parents turning their hearts to their children influences generations
    • How connection grew from an idea to taking root in Dave Scouler’s family over time
    • Connection is the springboard into authentic discipleship
    Mentioned in this Podcast:
    • When Parenting Styles Differ: Finding Unity with Your Strong-Willed Child | Ep. 277
    • John 17
    • The Table Monthly Giving Program
    • Give a Gift to Connected Families
    • Luke 1:17
    • Want to Build a Connected Family? Be Intentional | Ep. 84
    • How to Build a Connected Family – Book
    The Scouler Family

    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

    This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

    Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

    Guest Bio:

    Dave Scouler has been married for over 30 years and has two amazing boys who joined their family through adoption from Russia. He has been a champion of Connected Families since its founding. Dave has worked in a diverse set of consulting environments and has over 40 years of experience helping clients respond to changing realities. He has served on multiple non-profit Boards and gets excited when given the chance to think strategically. When he is not working, he enjoys working on projects with his boys, being with his four dogs, swimming, and sailing.

    © 2025 Connected Families
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    28 分
  • When Parenting Styles Differ: Finding Unity with Your Strong-Willed Child

    When Parenting Styles Differ: Finding Unity with Your Strong-Willed Child
    2025/12/08
    Whether you’re just starting your parenting journey or you’ve hit a rough spot, today’s episode is a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient through it all. Seeing God’s mercy toward us in the midst of challenging family messes (like disagreeing about how to approach parenting a “strong-willed” child) is the hope of the Gospel! Connected Families Co-Founders, Jim and Lynne Jackson, sit down with longtime friends of Connected Families, Jay and Debi Allsup, to encourage families with their experience with their own adult daughters. They remind us that our kids’ biggest challenges now can become their greatest assets when they are older! Yes… even the “strong-willed” child! Key Takeaways: What it initially looked like for Jay and Debi to approach parenting with two completely different stylesLearn how Connected Families tools help parents to develop a common parenting language and a path forward to model reconciliation after they have had an imperfect parenting momentImpact on their daughters in the presentGod’s grace grows with your family Mentioned in this Podcast: Connected Families Framework MagnetEzekiel 47:8-9 NIV Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Jay and Debi Allsup are long-time friends of Connected Families and were part of the original board. Jay serves business leaders with his financial acumen and deep Biblical insights, providing a unique perspective to companies and nonprofit organizations that leads them to fiscally responsible decisions and managed growth. Debi works as a Director of HR at a national community-based support services company. © 2025 Connected Families Give “change” to others Connected Families relies on your generosity so more families can experience “aha” moments of grace. DONATE & MAKE CHANGE TODAY!
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    30 分
  • Holiday Family Stress? How to Actually Enjoy Family Gatherings

    Holiday Family Stress? How to Actually Enjoy Family Gatherings
    2025/12/01

    The holidays are definitely a time when many families and children experience overstimulation, picky eating, chaos, and sibling bickering, which can lead to holiday family stress. What if we could experience God as Emmanuel (God With Us) even in the midst of the mess? Hear from Stacy Bellward as she reads one of the Connected Families blog posts, which will prepare you with a plan to set your kids up for success at your next holiday gathering!

    Key Takeaways:
    • Develop empathy for common behavior challenges for kids during the holidays
    • Uncover the good news in all of the chaos
    • Learn about the positive behavior and identity-building tool: ABCs of Affirmation
    Mentioned in this Podcast:
    • Blog Post – 3 Steps to Prepare Kids for Holiday Family Gatherings
    • Blog Post – How to Handle Unsolicited Parenting Advice From Family
    • ABC’s of Affirmation

    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

    This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

    Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

    Guest Bio:

    Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents to encourage and bring hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into the brain science and research to better equip parents and caregivers. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy.

    © 2025 Connected Families
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    14 分