Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect?

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne share wisdom from raising seven kids and over 30 years of parenting experience to help you reframe how you see meltdowns. We’ll dive into why meltdowns happen, how they make us feel as parents, and—most importantly—how to respond in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and reduce chaos in your home over time.

You’ll learn practical strategies for handling toddler tantrums, school-day meltdowns, and teenage blow-ups without adding fuel to the fire. From turning a “no” into a redirect, to knowing when to pause and offer grace, this conversation will help you see meltdowns as moments to disciple, not just discipline.

We’ll also explore the spiritual side of meltdowns—how God uses adversity to grow us, and how we can model compassion, patience, and love even when emotions run high.

Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. So, if you’ve ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure in the face of a meltdown, this episode is for you.

👉 Tune in now and discover how to transform meltdowns into meaningful, crazy cool parenting moments.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!

Absolutely. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning explain how to combine God’s favor (grace) with training to standards (discipline) to build self-control, connection, and freedom in your home. You’ll learn the difference between firm vs. harsh, how to respond not react, and a simple “same-side of the line” visual that moves you from power struggles to partnership. The conversation includes empathy that doesn’t excuse behavior, practical scripts for correction, and a preview of emotional regulation tools for “meltdown moments.” Anchored in Hebrews 12:6 and Galatians 5:1, this episode equips you to set clear boundaries and keep a gentle tone—so your kids actually learn.

• Grace (favor) + discipline (training) lead to true freedom and self-control.
• Be firm, not harsh—respectful tone makes correction stick.
• Use “Help me understand…” to pair empathy with consequences.
• Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your child and point them to God’s standard.
• Prioritize long-term connection over short-term compliance.
• Start practicing emotional regulation during meltdowns (for you and your child).

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!

In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning share how to teach kids integrity without lectures. Learn how to model honesty, coach truth-telling with a “respond, don’t react” approach, and create a family culture of integrity. Get age-by-age strategies for littles, middles, and bigs that make character building stick. Anchored in Proverbs 10:9 and John 8, this episode equips you to help your child keep their word, repair quickly, and walk securely.

• Why modeling + quick repair beats perfection
• A 6-step script to coach honesty (lower shame, raise truth)
• Age-specific tools for Littles (2–7), Middles (8–12), Bigs (13+)
• Family language that makes truth-telling safe
• Bible stories (Jonah; Woman caught in adultery) that illustrate integrity and kindness

🎧 Listen now and start your 3:1 Praise Challenge this week. Then share your family’s integrity win with us!

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!