MPF 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Dealing with Failure podcast: MPF 140

1:03:38

Too many entrepreneurs get stuck on the business treadmill, hustling nonstop, unable to scale, and unknowingly stalling their growth. That’s where Dave Ramsey began. After crashing into $3 million in debt, he rebuilt from scratch, turning a small radio program into a national show with millions of listeners. With over three decades of experience in entrepreneurship, business growth, and content creation, he knows what it takes to build a lasting business. In this episode, Dave reveals the six drivers of long-term success, the five key stages of startup growth, and how he balances life as an entrepreneur and a content creator. In this episode, Hala and Dave will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (00:23) The Core Principles of Financial Freedom (05:42) Adapting to Change as a Content Creator (09:22) Balancing Content Creation and Entrepreneurship (12:34) How to Create a Clear Path in Business (15:19) The Truth About Starting a Business Today (18:22) The Six Drivers of Business Success (26:20) Shifting From Tactical to Strategic Thinking (29:44) The Five Stages of Business Growth (41:10) Leading with Care, Clarity, and Accountability (47:10) Identifying the Right Leadership Skills (48:35) Starting a Media Business as an Entrepreneur Dave Ramsey is a personal finance expert, radio personality, bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. Over the past three decades, he has built a legacy of helping millions achieve financial freedom. As the host of The Ramsey Show , Dave reaches more than 18 million listeners each week. He is the author of eight national bestselling books. His latest, Build a Business You Love , helps entrepreneurs navigate growth and overcome challenges at every stage. Sponsored By: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at youngandprofiting.co/shopify OpenPhone: Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at openphone.com/profiting Airbnb - Find yourself a co-host at airbnb.com/host Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/profiting RobinHood - Receive your 3% boost on annual IRA contributions, sign up at robinhood.com/gold Factor - Get 50% off your first box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/factorpodcast Rakuten - Save while shopping at rakuten.com Microsoft Teams - Stop paying for tools. Get everything you need, for free at aka.ms/profiting LinkedIn Marketing Solutions - Get a $100 credit on your next campaign at linkedin.com/profiting Resources Mentioned: Dave’s Book, Build a Business You Love: bit.ly/BuildaBusinessYouLove Dave’s Website: ramseysolutions.com Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Side Hustle, Passive Income, Online Business, Solopreneur, Networking.…

about a year ago 53:57

MP3•एपिसोड होम

“Genuine humility never disturbs the soul. Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy and calm” St. Theresa of Avila

Summary

What is the biggest problem in Catholic marriages? Although we appreciate good communication tools, marriage insights, and mentors - at the end of the day the biggest problem is simply a lack of holiness. One essential tool in our quest for holiness is learning how to ask for forgiveness. When we have conflict in our home, we all need to ask ourselves the question - what could I have done differently? When we take ownership in this way, we can repent to God and then ask forgiveness of our spouse or children in order to repair that relationship. Often we will focus only on our sins and try to amend our lives, but in addition to those good things, we also need to seek to reconcile the relationship and ask for forgiveness.

Key Takeaways

When there is conflict in the home, we always need to ask ourselves how have I contributed to this situation and what could I have done differently?
Taking extreme ownership means that you don’t make excuses, but instead recognize that the past does not have power over you any more. You always have a choice.
When you are aware of your weakness, you are more open to asking for forgiveness and growing in holiness
Asking forgiveness also repairs the rupture in the relationship that happens as a result of our actions.
When you ask forgiveness and make your heart pure through Confession, then you are able to more clearly see God. “The pure in heart shall see God” Matt 5:8
A daily examen should include asking for forgiveness of family members we have sinned against.

Couple Discussion Questions

Reflect on your marriage and children and ask God to show you areas in which you need to change. Go to your spouse and children and ask their forgiveness.
When can we do a daily examen in our household? How can we incorporate regular asking of forgiveness?

References:

Forgiveness MP 060

Forgiveness and Transformation MFP 165

Romans 12

Matthew 18:21-35

Guide to Parenthood: Forgiveness in the Family

329 एपिसोडस

#Parenting #Religion #Christianity #Mike and Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent and Family #Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent #Catholic #Family #Marriage

MPF 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

published about a year ago

साझा करें

MP3•एपिसोड होम

“Genuine humility never disturbs the soul. Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy and calm” St. Theresa of Avila

Summary

Key Takeaways

When there is conflict in the home, we always need to ask ourselves how have I contributed to this situation and what could I have done differently?
Taking extreme ownership means that you don’t make excuses, but instead recognize that the past does not have power over you any more. You always have a choice.
When you are aware of your weakness, you are more open to asking for forgiveness and growing in holiness
Asking forgiveness also repairs the rupture in the relationship that happens as a result of our actions.
When you ask forgiveness and make your heart pure through Confession, then you are able to more clearly see God. “The pure in heart shall see God” Matt 5:8
A daily examen should include asking for forgiveness of family members we have sinned against.

Couple Discussion Questions

Reflect on your marriage and children and ask God to show you areas in which you need to change. Go to your spouse and children and ask their forgiveness.
When can we do a daily examen in our household? How can we incorporate regular asking of forgiveness?

References:

Dealing with Failure podcast: MPF 140

Forgiveness MP 060

Forgiveness and Transformation MFP 165

Romans 12

Matthew 18:21-35

Guide to Parenthood: Forgiveness in the Family

329 एपिसोडस

#Parenting #Religion #Christianity #Mike and Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent and Family #Alicia Hernon : Catholic Marriage Parent #Catholic #Family #Marriage

सभी एपिसोड

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 328: Let Your Life Be a Witness, An interview with Chris and Molly McMahon 56:55

6 days ago56:55

56:55

"Never be embarrassed to love your wife." – Chris McMahon Summary What does it take to build a thriving business and a strong marriage at the same time? In this episode, Mike sits down with longtime friends Chris and Molly McMahon—financial advisors, founders, parents of five, and marriage warriors. Together, they unpack the real story behind balancing ambition with family, building a faith-filled home without a perfect blueprint, and making decisions that prioritize your marriage even when the world says otherwise. From the mess of early parenthood and maxed-out credit cards to spiritual renewal and raising adult kids with a legacy of love, the McMahons share wisdom from 36 years of marriage. Get ready for candid stories, practical advice, and heartfelt encouragement for couples trying to do it all without losing what matters most. Topics include: Why full transparency is non-negotiable in marriage How to prioritize your spouse even in seasons of hustle Reclaiming Sundays and breaking free from the “frantic family” pace Making faith central—even in business And don’t miss your chance to sign up for the Family Board Meeting, a transformative way to lead your family with intention: messyfamilyproject.org Key Takeaways Put your spouse first. Connect with them and make them a priority no matter what is happening at work. Talk about your spouse with love and respect always to others. Be a witness in the workplace. Put up a sacred image, hold a high standard for yourself and be bold about sharing your faith. Never accept the standards of the world for success. If you feel like both of you “have” to work to get ahead or buy a house, don’t accept that! Think outside the box Make time for the things that matter. Be intentional with how you spend your time and money. If God has blessed you, be a blessing to others. God will give you a mission - respond! Couple Discussion Questions How can we use our time intentionally to prioritize each other? How can we live in a way that puts our marriage first? What is the mission that God is asking us to go on two by two? What is the particular way we can serve Him as a married couple?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 327: Five Steps to Give You More Time 44:31

13 days ago44:31

44:31

The only way to not live constantly in the Urgent is to manage those things that are Important. Summary “How are you?” “BUSY!” Isn't that the response so many of us give when asked this question? How did we all get so busy and how do we get off the crazy train? Parents have as much time as anyone else (even though it doesn’t feel like it!) but they need to be more conscious than anyone else regarding how they spend the precious time they have. In this podcast, we give five steps that parents can use right now to use their time wisely. Using the Eisenhower matrix of Important/Urgent we will show you how to manage those things that are Important (children and all their needs!) so we aren’t always living in the Urgent. Parents must be careful on how they spend time because days turn into weeks, and then years, and then kids are gone! Childhood is short and we need to be very intentional on how we spend our precious time with our precious children. Key Takeaways We all need to evaluate how we are spending our time. If you always feel like you are putting out important fires, then you need to learn how to manage those things so your life isn’t always “urgent”. To make sure you take care of those relationships that are essential in your life, you have to schedule an appointment. Put on your schedule prayer time, date night, special time. One essential way to live a balanced life is to create routines that will build good habits for you and your children. Make your time purposeful. It's not always about the quantity of time, it's also the quality of that time. Keep in mind your mission! The mission of your family is to confer identity, belonging and purpose upon your children. If you don’t do it, they will seek that out from others and that is a scary prospect. Couple Discussion Questions Let’s evaluate our time. Are always putting out fires? Do we feel our life is frantic? How can we identify pain points and create routines to address them? What is the best way to use our time together? What are the needs in our marriage and how can we satisfy those needs when we are together? How can we use our time better with our children? What would they like to do?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 326: The Art of Raising Humans 1:21:11

27 days ago1:21:11

1:21:11

"God gives us our children to heal and transform us." - Kyle Wester Summary In many ways, being a parent is less about our kids and more about our own formation! When we lean into the vocation of parenthood, God can use every experience with our children to show us His love and to form us into the person He has created us to be. In this podcast, we talk to Kyle and Sara Wester, counselors and hosts of the podcast The Art of Raising Humans. During our conversation, they explained four different parenting styles that we move in and out of depending on our life circumstances, how our marriage is actually the most important parenting tool we have, and how our understanding of who we are in the eyes of God affects how we relate to our kids. This podcast is full of great insights for parents and we know you will gain from the Wester’s wisdom. Key Takeaways Children need to be taught relationship skills and correct behavior. The most powerful way they learn is by watching how you relate to your spouse. God gives us our children to heal and transform us. To love our children effectively, we need to first receive God’s love for us personally. Every conflict with our spouse or children is about expectations. When our child exhibits behavior that is inappropriate for a situation, we need to ask ourselves, “What is this behavior telling me about this child?” Discipline comes from discipleship and the foundation of discipleship is relationship. We all must work on having a deep and rich relationship with our children to form them. There are 4 different parenting styles that we move through depending on our life circumstances. We don’t always choose what is best, but we can keep in mind the goal of Loving Guidance and move towards that. Recommended books from the Westers: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by by Rebecca Bailey Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen No Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson Couple Discussion Questions Are we happy with how we are modeling conflict resolution for our children? How can we do this better? What in our children do we see in ourselves? Write these things down. Do we love these things in ourselves? Why or why not? Resources: The Art of Raising Humans Podcast Link Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans?igsh=MXkyOGRwbzJ2ZDF1MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@artofraisinghumans?_t=8itlE1tnZSF&_r=1…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 325: Let’s Get Intimate… 1:15:48

5 weeks ago1:15:48

1:15:48

“Lovemaking puts flesh on the vows that we exchange in marriage” - Byron and Francine Pirola Summary A few years ago in Australia, we met an amazing couple who we immediately wanted to share with our listeners. Byron and Francine Piroloa from Smart Loving, are on a mission to make marriages stronger all over the world and they are willing to talk about that subject that few couples will tackle - physical intimacy. We aired this podcast five years ago and it got such a great response that we decided to put it up again for all of you. Listen in as we talk to the Pirolas about how and why you should make time for sex, how the arousal pattern for men is different from women and why sex gets better and better the longer you are married! This is a podcast filled with wisdom, but also laughter and honesty. We hope you will enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed talking to them! Key Takeaways Anything precious and unique needs rules to be protected. That is why the Church gives us boundaries in this area to teach us how to be appropriately vulnerable in our marital relationships A person’s sexual prime is in their 20s, but our erotic prime is reached in our 50s. This is a culmination of our relationship and our intimacy that is built over time. Sexual relations can slip into the “recreational” category in our minds when we are trying to survive. The antidote is seeing sex as a sacred communication that needs to be prioritized. Desire, arousal, climax, resolution is a typical male pattern. For most women the pattern is different - arousal, or foreplay, creates desire in the woman. We need to work and train our brains to connect with our spouse emotionally, to be present, so the intimacy that we share emotionally and physically. Couple Discussion Questions How are we creating a romantic environment in our relationship? Where are we making space for marital relations? How are we opening our hearts to our spouse in lovemaking? Can we work on being present to our spouse and retrain our brains to focus on them? Resources Free Conversation Starter on Sexual Intimacy Smart Loving Marriage Kit Catholiccouplesgetaway.com Family Board Meeting April Course…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 324: Moving from Isolation to Unity 51:36

6 weeks ago51:36

51:36

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24 Summary Unity between man and woman was God’s original plan, but the Fall not only broke our relationship with God, it also broke our relationship with each other. But the good news is that Jesus has given us grace in the sacrament of Matrimony so we can have a oneness in marriage that would be impossible otherwise! With unity, couples can handle anything life dishes out. Without it, even the easy things will seem hard. Couples need to constantly be striving for unity, because if spouses aren’t intentional, those marriages will drift apart! In this podcast, we will give you three tools - honoring, forgiveness, and vulnerability - that you can use to start moving towards your spouse. We need to intentionally use these tools to work towards the greater unity within the gift of marriage that God has for us. Key Takeaways All couples must strive for unity - if you float along, you will drift apart Unity was what we were made for, but the fall introduced distrust into the male/female relationships There are three things you can do to move towards unity: honoring, forgiveness, and vulnerability On the scale of Affirmation/Criticism, choose to honor your spouse, even publicly to build them up On the scale of Resentment/Forgiveness, choose to forgive them instead of being resentful of their shortcomings On the scale of Detachment/Intimacy we need to choose vulnerability and openness to our spouse. Couple Discussion Questions On a scale of 1-10, how are we doing in our unity? In which of the three areas can we do better? Which one of these three areas is the most challenging for me? Why do I think that is? Resources Free Mini-Marriage Retreat: https://messyfamilyproject.org/guide/mini-marriage-check-in/ Register for the Family Board Meeting! https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting/ Easter Webinar Register here…. www.Catholiccouplesgetaway.com…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 323: Desires, Vices, and Holiness for Parents 55:41

7 weeks ago55:41

55:41

Vices are our disordered way of fulfilling our God-given good desires. Summary So many of us thought we were good people till we had kids, right? This is because kids expose our weaknesses and we need to be aware of them in order to overcome them. Listen in as we reveal Satan’s plan for you and lay out God’s great plan of using our rightly ordered desires to develop virtues and live according to His plan. The desires that God has put in our hearts for dignity, communion, justice, and peace are all good, but when we try to fulfill them on our own, they can lead to vice, or repeated bad habits. We do this because we are all fallen, wounded people! But the good news is that we just need to tap into learning how to satisfy those desires in the best way, which is what God intended for us. This is a snapshot from our video series we are doing for our Cana90 Fellowship this year. In that series, each vice gets its own video where we break it down and show how we as parents are particularly susceptible to falling into it. Join the Fellowship here f or the rest of the series! Key Takeaways Vices are our disordered desires. Every vice has a longing or desire behind it and a corresponding virtue to help overcome it. Parents struggle with vices in particular ways that may not have been evident before they had kids. Envy is the longing for Dignity and it comes from the fear that we will not be seen, known, and acknowledged. We get this from our Heavenly Father! Sloth is the longing for Peace and it causes us to choose a “fake peace” that comes from ignoring problems instead of working through them. Couple Discussion Questions Where do I struggle to act? What situations would I rather ignore than deal with? Write down some ideas. Try them each day one at a time. What is one thing I can do to make this room/situation/gathering better? How can I be proactive? Think of when someone else was kind to you. How did it make you feel? List 25 things you can do to make the lives of others around you more pleasant References Bishop Barron’s series on the Seven Deadly Sins https://www.wofdigital.org/seven-deadly-sins-seven-lively-virtues Broken Gods by Dr. Gregory Popcak https://amazon.com/dp/B00N6PETQ2?ref=KC_GS_GB_US Cana90 Fellowship https://messyfamilyproject.org/programs/cana90/…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP 322: Dealing with Mouthy Teens 1:04:58

8 weeks ago1:04:58

1:04:58

A problem with disrespect from a child always goes back to a dysfunction in the parent-child relationship. Summary When our sweet children enter the teen years and adolescence is upon them, something happens that tends to cause parents stress and dismay - back talk and disrespect. Some of this is immaturity on the part of the child and some is simply lack of training in relationships. It is our job as parents to teach our children how to express their feelings, disagree, and even debate while maintaining an attitude of respect towards us and therefore, other people in their lives. The family is the training ground for life! In this podcast we will give you some perspective on the struggles teens have, tell you what NOT to do and explain the Three C’s of responding to a mouthy teen. Listen in! Key Takeaways A disrespectful child is, simply put, someone no one wants to be around. But the good news is that parents can change this! We can help our child become someone we not just love, but like. Yelling, punishing, taking things personally, and debating with your teen does not work. Avoid these reactions. Tweens and teens need us to guide them on acceptable ways of speaking to others. This will help them be successful in many areas of life. CONTROL YOURSELF - If you are triggered by your teen and fly off the handle, ask yourself why and get your emotional life in order. CONSEQUENCES - It is our responsibility to help them see what happens when they don’t control their tongue. The world’s consequences will be much harder than ours! COACH - We need to point our teens towards adulthood so they can see we are not treating them as a child, we are teaching them how to be an adult. Couple Discussion Questions Are we happy with the way that our children speak to us? Can we identify areas of difficulty with them? What would be a quick, acceptable consequence for our child’s disrespect? Which one of us would be best to talk to them about this? How can we coach our child to do better? Links: Link to Cana90 https://messyfamilyproject.org/programs/cana90/ Link to Beloved Event https://arrayofhope.regfox.com/beloved…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP321: Fifty Years and Going Strong! 59:26

9 weeks ago59:26

59:26

A husband and wife may disagree on many things, but they must absolutely agree on this: to never, ever give up. Summary When we did our listener survey, you asked for interviews of regular families who have raised children through to adulthood with grace and courage. Well, we have a treat for you! A few years ago we met Brian and Joanna Simpson of London ONT who have run the Family Foundations Institute for the past 25 years. They also have 9 children and over 35 grandchildren and they are a witness to the goodness of God despite difficulty and heartache. In this episode, they tell some of their story, but also give wisdom to young families on what should be the most important things in your home and how to create a home focused on God and loving each other. We really enjoyed our time with them and we know you will too! Key Takeaways Forgiveness in the family is key - modeling it for the children with them and with your spouse. The husband as the head of the household is the one who carries the responsibility in the family, not only authority. Wise spouses realize that the best decisions are done together in unity. When tragedy and suffering happens in the family, as it inevitably will, God can still be present and make something truly beautiful out of it when we trust Him. Personal prayer and trust in God’s love for you is key to building a family of faith and prayer. When our conflict stays in the dark, the Evil One has more power. It is best to be honest and vulnerable, even if you don’t do it perfectly, because then you can work to actively build unity. Couple Discussion Questions What things are important to us in our household and how are we communicating that? How do we support each other in our roles as husband and wife/mom and dad in the family? Resources: Family Foundations Institute https://famfi.ca/ Link to Cana90 https://messyfamilyproject.org/programs/cana90/ Link to Beloved Event https://arrayofhope.regfox.com/beloved…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 320: Super Habits for the Family 1:15:31

10 weeks ago1:15:31

1:15:31

Summary Have you ever wanted to stop yelling at your kids? Be more courteous to your spouse? Or be more orderly at home? Enter Super Habits! These are not just new things for you to learn to do, these are life-changing actions that will make you happier, healthier and more successful in many areas. In this interview, we spoke to Dr. Andrew Abela, author of the book Super Habits and his wife Kathleen who explained to us how to apply this book to family life. They gave us some great insights and showed us how Super Habits can be the answer to what we all need in our parenting and marriages. And the best part is that these habits are already present in us, we just need to activate them. Listen in! Key Takeaways Every virtue is a habit anyone can cultivate, not just a characteristic or personality trait. We can all grow and change. All new habits create new neurological pathways in our brains, but the advantage of Super Habits is that these are pathways that are native to us already, we already have the “muscles”; we just need to use them. Super habits do three things - they make us happier, healthier, and they have a positive effect on multiple areas of our lives. St. Thomas Aquinas has the best system of organizing the virtues! We all need fluency in the language of virtues. All growth in Super Habits is slow and steady so keep going! Virtue happens when we channel our desires correctly - not squash them. Growth in Super Habits is the answer to “helicopter” or “bulldozer” parenting We need to be aware of the full range of virtues for the full flourishing of the human person. Couple Discussion Questions In what ways have we already developed some Super Habits? How did we do that? What Super Habit will help us in our parenting? How can we support each other in cultivating it? Resources Superhabits Book, Sophia Press : sophiainstitute.com/product/super-habits/ Andrew Abela on Linked In : www.linkedin.com/in/deanabela Superhabits on Substack : superhabit.substack.com/ Cana90 - messyfamilyproject.org/programs/cana90/ Beloved Event - arrayofhope.regfox.com/beloved…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 319: How Husbands Lead 49:58

11 weeks ago49:58

49:58

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Eph 6:4 In this episode of the Messy Family Podcast, hosts Mike and Alicia Hernon celebrate their 10th year of the podcast and introduce the new studio, setting the stage for a discussion on fatherhood and leadership in the home. They emphasize that while fathers are called by God to lead, many struggle to understand what that truly means in a world that often undermines their role. True leadership is not about domination but about serving, sacrificing, and guiding with love, following Christ’s example. A father’s success is measured by the unity in his marriage and family, and when discord arises, it signals a need to recalibrate leadership. Mike and Alicia challenge men to overcome passivity, a struggle rooted in Adam’s sin, and to step up, protect, and guide their families with intentional love. Practical steps for dads include pursuing their wives first, taking initiative in family life, loving sacrificially, and leading with unity in mind. They highlight research showing that a father’s presence has a profound impact on his children’s faith, success, and well-being. While many men feel incompetent in the home, undervalue their influence, or struggle with passivity, Mike and Alicia encourage them to embrace the God-given mission of fatherhood with confidence, knowing that great men and strong fathers are desperately needed today. Key Takeaways Husbands are called to lead in the home because this is how God is going to make them holy and you were created to give first to be able to receive. You know you are leading when there is unity, when you are challenged, and when your wife feels safe. Men need to go in to battle and fight against the tendency to be passive or to avoid what they do not feel competent at. Never doubt how important you are in the life of your wife and children - they need you! Couple Discussion Questions Are we happy with our roles of leading our family right now? How are we doing? How can I (wife) support you (husband) in leading our family? For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 318: Families as Missionaries 1:20:21

12 weeks ago1:20:21

1:20:21

Families don’t just have a mission, they ARE a mission! Summary When we hear “missionary” many of us automatically think of a single person serving in a third world country. Then we think, “not me!” But the reality is that all Catholics are called by their baptism to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world. We do that first and foremost in our homes, through the pastoral care of our spouse and children, but there are other ways we can spread the Good News to the world. In this podcast, we interview Tim and Maggie Glemkowski, parents with a heart for mission. Tim most recently led the National Eucharistic Congress and continues to serve as the executive director of Amazing Parish. He and Maggie share their story of the struggles they have gone through with their calling and the faithfulness of God through it all. Their understanding of how to be a family on mission for others is inspiring and encouraging. Listen in! Links: Interested in taking your family on a mission trip? Contact the Family Mission Experience at www.soltfme.org…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP 317: Who are These Messy Families? 2024 Survey Summary 41:28

13 weeks ago41:28

41:28

Summary Since 2018 we have been doing surveys of our listeners to find out who you are, how we can serve you more, and what your needs are. We have never shared this information with our listeners until now! Over the years we have had thousands of listeners take this survey and it's interesting to see what has remained the same and what has changed. We thought it would be encouraging to you to hear that you are not alone! The struggles that you have told us about are shared by other moms and dads too. Listen in as we talk about the make-up of most of our listeners, what they told us, and what plans are for the future. There were also some questions that came up in the survey that we responded to as well. Links Last call for the survey! Closing Jan 31, 2025 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T59LDRY UK Tour - if you are interested in joining us for any events check out our page here! www.messyfamilyproject.org/uk-tour-2025…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP 316: A Manual for Catholic Families 59:15

14 weeks ago59:15

59:15

“Catholic parenting is above all a work of grace” - Fr. Carter Griffin We often say there is no manual for being a parent, but this book comes pretty close! In this podcast, we interview the author of Forming Families, Forming Saints Fr. Carter Griffin. Fr. Griffin has worked for years forming young men into priests in the seminary setting. In doing so, he saw many similarities between what he was doing with young men and what parents were doing at home. The four pillars of formation in the seminary - human, intellectual, spiritual, and apostolic - can be applied in the family as well! In both settings, ultimately God is the one who does the transforming in people’s lives, but He does choose to use us in the process. We believe this book is a valuable resource for parents that they will be able to refer to again and again. Key Concepts Parents are proxies. God is the ultimate shaper of their hearts and minds, but He chooses to use us in the lives of our children In the past decade or so there has been an emphasis on the importance of childhood and parenting on a person’s life. This knowledge is good, but it also has put an incredible amount of pressure on parents to “do it right”. The four pillars of seminary formation - Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Apostolic can be applied for parents forming children within the home. The most successful parents create an environment of trust in the home through continual dialogue with their children while sending the message that they don’t just love their kids, but they like them too! Parents need to know they are not alone! There are many other families working alongside you and we have a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Couple Discussion Consider the four pillars that Fr. Griffith describes. How is our child doing in each of these? Can we make a goal for them in each area? Are we overwhelmed by the responsibility of parenting? How can we rely on God more for the grace that we need and for the grace that our children need? Resources Father’s book: Forming Families, Forming Saints: https://stpaulcenter.com/product/forming-families-forming-saints/ Find out more about our UK tour in March - https://messyfamilyproject.org/uk-tour-2025/ Event in New Jersey with Array of Hope - Beloved https://arrayofhope.regfox.com/beloved…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP 315: 10 Things to Stop Doing in 2025 52:45

15 weeks ago52:45

52:45

At the beginning of 2025 we want to challenge parents to step back and reassess their approach to family life by diving into 10 Things to Stop Doing in 2025. Are you focusing too much on your kids? Caught up in the frantic pace of life? Trying to "fix" your spouse or juggle it all? Let us give you some heartfelt encouragement to let go of habits that create stress, disconnection, and overwhelm. We guarantee this episode is packed with insights that will inspire you to parent with purpose and peace. Let’s start the year by simplifying, slowing down, and focusing on what really matters! Listen in and get ready to share and bookmark this episode to listen to again and again! Free Family Board Meeting Webinar: https://messyfamilyproject.org/fbm-webinar/…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 314: Seasons of Prayer for Parents 58:43

18 weeks ago58:43

58:43

“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage” - St. Francis deSales Summary What God asks of us as parents is beyond our ability. We are all in need of God’s grace and that comes through prayer! Now, before you think, “I do not have time for prayer….” take a pause and listen to this episode. First, remember, we have been there! We had 3 kids under 3, 7 kids under 10 and then 10 under 16! We know that the crazy pace of life can make us feel like we can never catch our breath. That being said, we must persevere through the different seasons of life and make sure that we are consistently connected to the source of all life. Listen in to find ways of “sneaking in” prayer throughout your day, what you may have to let go of, and what you should be able to accomplish. Do not lose heart! Prayer is not only possible, but it is essential for us to live the life God is calling each of us to. Key Takeaways The spiritual responsibility of our home lies with parents and it always has. They are essential because they are the first witnesses of the faith to their children. You cannot be an effective parent without prayer Take advantage of all types of prayer, but we usually need to work the most on prayer of contemplation. This is where we grow in relationship with God in a personal way. If we need to grow it is going to cost us. There is no easy button. There are seasons in life, and our devotion needs to match it. Take advantage of the seasons of the year to start fresh! Couple Discussion Questions What type of prayer are we taking advantage of right now? How well are we doing it? How can we support each other in growing in our prayer life? Resources MFP180 Monks, Parents, and Prayer Our webpage with resources on prayer…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF298: How to Really Love Your Teenager 1:02:26

34 weeks ago1:02:26

1:02:26

“21% of teens said their #1 concern was not having enough time with their parents. Only 8% of parents said their #1 concern was not having enough time with their kids.” ― Meg Meeker Summary After 13 years of marriage we had six children and were pretty confident in our parenting. But when our oldest daughter became a teenager, we felt like we needed to learn how to parent all over again! This sweet 12 year old seemed to begin changing before our eyes and we had to pivot pretty quickly to learn what it was that she needed and what our new role was as parents. The teen years do not need to be horrible. In contrast, it should be the flowering of all the parenting you have done and an exciting time for you and your child! The question for parents is how do I learn how to love my child during this turbulent time of change from being a child to being an adult. In this episode, we give you some principles to remember and some practical things you can do to REALLY love your teenager. Key Takeaways If you want your teen to grow in virtue and maturity, you must give them freedom. Parents of teens move from being a protector to being a coach. For teens who are forming their identity in relation to the world, their interests are equal with who they are. So if you learn more about their music, games, friends, and trends, they will receive the message that you like them, not just love them. Teens need to be encouraged to take appropriate risks. Failure is a part of learning. They won’t succeed at everything they do and that is OK. This is the best time for them to learn these lessons. Invite them into spiritual adulthood. Give them the opportunity to make the faith their own. Couple Discussion Questions Looking back on your teen years, do you love your “teen self”? How can you grow in this? List the names of your tweens and teens. What do you love about them? Share with your spouse and add to the list together. What are your concerns about your teens? Does your spouse have the same concerns? Why or why not? In what areas are you giving too much freedom? Where can you help your teen grow in independence? Resources The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt IGen by Jean Twenge…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 297: Expectations in Marriage 56:36

35 weeks ago56:36

56:36

Happiness is determined by our expectations…. If our expectations are modest… we will be happy; if our expectations are unrealistic, we end up disappointed. ~Bishop Anthony Taylor, Diocese of Little Rock Summary All of us come into our vocations with expectations. We have dreams and plans, but expectations are more like assumptions. We have our own experience and we expect that things will go a certain way. The problem is, we can’t always articulate these expectations or even realize that we have them until they are unfulfilled and this can cause conflict with our spouses. In this episode, we talk about the relationship between expectations and happiness, how to articulate our expectations, and how to have realistic expectations of our marriage as you grow. We also share on a personal level what our expectations were and how we handled things when we were newly married compared to how we are today. This podcast is really one that you want to discuss with your spouse to help you both learn how to communicate better and forge greater unity. Key Takeaways Happiness is determined by our expectations and our ability to notice and rejoice in little things. If our expectations are modest, life will usually exceed our expectations and we will be happy; if our expectations are unrealistic, we end up disappointed. Many young couples have unrealistic expections of their spouse. They expect their spouse to do what only God can do: To meet all their needs for security, support and closeness. Don’t lower your standards, just make them more realistic and realize you need to grow in your communication skills to have a strong marriage. No matter if your expectations are fulfilled or now, always choose gratitude. There is always something to be thankful for and recognizing that is the key to happiness. Couple Discussion Questions What were my expectations coming into our marriage? Which of these were fulfilled? Which has led to disappointment? What am I grateful for? Resources Article on Expectations and Happiness…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 296: Talking to Your Kids About Sex - an Interview with Jason Evert 45:31

36 weeks ago45:31

45:31

The body is not meaningless, but meaningful - Jason Evert Summary Join us for this insightful conversation with Jason Evert, speaker and author. Jason has spoken all over the world and has created numerous resources for preteens and teens to dive deep into what it means to be free to love. Often parents feel under-equipped to talk about sex and chastity, but it is within the home that these lessons need to be learned and it is where they are taught most effectively. The first step is to communicate to your children how much you delight in them. Then we can speak to their hearts the truth of who they are. After that, we can teach them that by embracing the virtue of chastity we can truly be free to love others with a love like God’s. Jason’s new series for preteens, Envision, can be found at Ascension Press. Key Takeaways We can’t just tell our kids what NOT to do, but we must communicate that chastity gives them freedom. Chastity gives them the freedom to love. Knowing the theology of our bodies answers the question, “Who am I and how should I live?” The world tells our kids that their bodies are meaningless, but in reality, they are meaningful. What we do with our bodies matters. Rules without relationships breed rebellion. Most of our kids know we love them, but do they believe we like them? That we like being with them? That is the foundation that needs to be laid to form them. Couple Discussion Questions How are we communicating to our kids now that what they do with their bodies matters? What are some ways we can show our kids not just that we LOVE them but that we LIKE them too? Do we understand the importance of Theology of the Body? Is this something we need to look into more? Resources The Chastity Project - https://chastity.com Envision - TOB for Middle Schoolers Women Wonderfully Made Webinar Family Culture and the Temperaments: Messy Family Date Night with Art and Laraine Bennett…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP295: The Key to Your Child's Success 54:34

37 weeks ago54:34

54:34

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit" Proverbs 25:28 Summary: Have you ever had a child melt down because they didn’t get what they wanted? How do we respond to emotional outbursts in our children? Self-control is an underappreciated virtue in our modern culture, but ironically, it is the one skill we can teach our children that can help them achieve great success. Instead of embracing the maxim of today, “Just do it!” we should be echoing the slogan of the 80’s anti-drug campaign, "Just say no!”. Our children need to learn from a young age that they CAN be in charge of how they react to their emotions, but they need your guidance and help to do this. In this podcast, we give some tips and tricks on how to speak to your child and put them in the driver’s seat of life. Key Takeaways: Emotional outbursts are a sign of immaturity. As they grow and as you teach them they will learn. But if you don’t get this under control when they are young you will be sorry Self control is an unappreciated virtue. Lack of self control is lauded in our culture “Just do it!” as opposed to “Just say no!” Important to train your child early!! Their brain can change more than any other time in their lives. Often we focus more on training in athletics or academics than virtue, but virtue is where they will find success in life. When they are emotional, teach your children how to activate the logical part of their brain. As parents of young children, we help them regulate their emotions so they can learn how to do it themselves. Give them space to make a choice. The more they do it, the stronger and better they will be at it Couple Discussion Questions: How would we define self control? Why is it important How do we respond to our children when they lose control? What do we think about this? What are some good strategies we can use for our children specifically?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 294: Building Families That Last: Insights from the National Eucharistic Congress | Messy Family Podcast 58:49

38 weeks ago58:49

58:49

Join us for a special episode of the Messy Family Podcast, recorded live at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis! In this episode, Mike hosts a lively discussion on the joys and challenges of family life. Mike, who flew in from Ireland, shares his family traditions and reflections on building a lasting legacy. Plus, special guests Ennie and Cana Hickman talk about their journey of raising nine children, balancing ministry and marriage, and the importance of regular date nights. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers heartfelt stories and practical advice for every family. Don't miss it! For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ 00:53 - Mike Shares His Family Tradition 03:14 - Introducing Ennie and Cana Hickman 06:01 - Marriage and Family Life 11:30 - The Importance of Date Nights 17:25 - Integrating Ministry and Family 23:45 - Building Family Culture and Traditions 30:10 - Navigating Difficult Times 36:30 - Practical Tips for Busy Families 44:00 - Closing Thoughts and Prayer…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 293: What To Do When Your Kids Lie 1:02:24

39 weeks ago1:02:24

1:02:24

Parent’s reaction to their children is more important than any consequence that they may give. It is our reaction that teaches our children. Summary One of the trickiest things for a parent is when they catch their child in a lie. Do you punish them for lying? Do you punish the offense? How do you teach the virtue of honesty when lying seems to come so naturally to them? Join in our conversation with Jordan Langdon of Families of Character, a ministry that coaches parents to be their best for their families. In this discussion, we hear Jordan’s thoughts on why kids lie, how to create realistic expectations, and why punishing kids for lying only makes things worse. Hear about the “Honesty Incentive Rule” and how that works for young children and even more importantly as your children become teenagers. Find more about Jordan and her work at www.familiesofcharacter.org Key Takeaways Training the will of your child is just as or even more important than training their intellect Most children will lie at some point. It is a natural part of their development. It is how you react to them that matters. There are different stages of lying. The lie of a 3 yr old looks different than that of a 7 yr old. The Honesty Incentive rule helps children take personal responsibility for their actions. When you find your child lying, allow yourself time to think about how to handle it. There is no need to react - this is not an emergency! Take time to observe your children’s behavior so you can tell when something is going on beneath the surface. Couple Discussion Questions What is our reaction when our children lie to us now? How do we handle it? How do I feel when our kids lie to me? Do we feel like we take enough time to observe our children’s behavior? Would we know when something was going wrong?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF292: Managing Kids Activities 1:16:48

40 weeks ago1:16:48

1:16:48

Play is the work of childhood. Summary It seems like in today’s world, parents are judged by how many activities their kids are in and how committed the whole family is to those activities. We see this as leading to complete burnout for parents, but more importantly, it robs children of the joy of unsupervised, spontaneous time to just play. We explain in this podcast what play is and why it is so important for children to engage in. The beautiful thing about play is that parents should NOT be involved! It is one thing that we can do for our kids that requires less of us, not more. Parents need to learn that kids must take risks, make choices, and be independent from adults. And this means less supervision, not more. Listen in to this conversation where we try to strike a balance between keeping kids busy in a healthy way and giving them space to be bored and make good choices. Key Takeaways Play is essential for a child’s development. It is “freely chosen and directed by the participants and undertaken for its own sake, not to achieve something” - Dr. Peter Gray You need to be intentional about choosing your child’s activities based on their developmental needs. Kids under 12 really don’t need structured activities - only do them if they work for your lifestyle and are not a cause of stress in the family Don’t allow external forces to impose false expectations on your involvement. Encourage your child to persevere even if an activity is difficult or not what they expected, but have the common sense to know when enough is enough. Know the adults that are around your child recognizing that especially in the teen years these people can become mentors for them for good or for bad. Couple Discussion Questions Share with your spouse your experience with structured activities (sports, theater, lessons, etc). What would you like to repeat? What would you like to avoid? What activities are our children involved in? Are they developmentally appropriate for them? How can we encourage more play among our children? Are there other families who would join us in this? Resources: Play Deprivation Is A Major Cause of the Teen Mental Health Crisis By JON HAIDT AND PETER GRAY https://www.afterbabel.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 291: Finding the Lord in Others 55:51

41 weeks ago55:51

55:51

Growing in holiness doesn’t require extraordinary actions, it requires doing ordinary things with great love. And there is nothing more “ordinary” in the life of a child than a parent. Summary Often when people talk about life with children, the focus is on just getting through their childhood with your sanity in one piece! There is some truth to that because parenting can be the most challenging thing you may ever do, but we would like to offer a different perspective. What if we did allow family life to change us? What if we allowed it to change us for the better? Jesus wants to teach us how to love Him by loving our spouse and our children. They are the first neighbors that we are called to love and serve and this, as lay people, is our path to holiness. Listen in to this honest conversation about the challenges of loving those closest to us as we would love Jesus Himself. Key Takeaways If you are a frantic family you will resent the sacrifices that naturally come with family life. Fruitful families embrace these sacrifices. Our world does not prize the ordinary so we can think that to be holy we need to do extraordinary things. The true measure of how much you love the Lord is the measure by which you love that person in your life who is most difficult Mark 9 - “Whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me. And if you receive me, you receive the one who sent me” Matthew 25 - “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Jesus doesn’t ask us to love an ideal. He asks us to love actual people in our lives as we would love Him. Couple Discussion questions Think of a person in your life who shows God’s love to others. What do they do? How do they do it? What can you imitate? “Whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me. And if you receive me, you receive the one who sent me” Who am I being called to “receive” right now in my state in life? What are my thoughts on this person being Jesus? What is one small, practical way in which I can love my husband or wife better, starting today? How can I receive their love more fully?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 290: Creating a United Front for Your Kids - Parenting as a Team 48:27

43 weeks ago48:27

48:27

The greatest and most important collaboration you will ever have with another person is raising a child with your spouse. Summary Parents come to us with discipline issues all the time and our first question is usually, “What does your spouse think about this?” You see, the most important person to learn from is the other parent of this child you are trying to raise! It is when moms and dads work together that the greatest power is unleashed in parenting and that is when we can do the most good for our children. Instead of focusing on your child and their behavior, focus first on yourself, then on how you and your spouse work together, and then you can come up with the best way to love your child and form them. Listen in to this re-release of our 2019 podcast, Parenting as a Team. Key Takeaways The best thing you can do for your children is to not focus on them, but focus on your spouse first, and them second. Prioritize your relationship! Strength is found in your differences! Respect what each one of you brings to the table. God never meant for you to be parents alone, or even just the two of you. He wants to give you all the grace you need if you will just ask Him for it. Couple Discussion Questions What do you admire about how your spouse parents your kids? Tell them this. What is the biggest difference between you in how you parent? How is this a strength? Take time this week to sit down and talk about your kids and how they are doing. Make a plan to help them as best you can. Resources Tip Sheet Worksheet from Discipline guide…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 289: Fr. Mike Schmitz on Parenting and Marriage 1:06:12

44 weeks ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Parenting isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up over and over again no matter what. Summary Some may question how a celibate man could have wisdom for husbands and wives, let alone parents. But in this interview with Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of the Bible in a Year podcast, we think everyone will agree that his insights are awesome! Drawing from his own family experience as well as his role as a spiritual father, Fr. Mike shares with us how to love children who have fallen away from the church, the importance of your marriage to your walk with God, and why you actually don’t need to have the perfect plan for your family. In this conversation we laughed and cried as we reflected on the beauty and difficulties of life in a family (with some special shoutouts to middle children!). Listen in as we have an honest and inspiring talk with a priest whose ministry has blessed so many. Key Takeaways Our family of origin impacts us more than almost anything else in our lives. Parents put so much pressure on themselves to be perfect that sometimes they miss out on the joy of family life. It's more important that we are intentional about family life than we have the “perfect plan” on how to be a family. It's not a bad thing for kids to see their parents have conflict as long as they are also able to experience the effects of their reconciliation. We can’t make the world safe for our kids, but we do need to make our kids strong. The heart of the Father is the heart of the priesthood. If someone falls away from the Church, we may be tempted to cut them out or approve of everything they do, but neither is correct. Remain in their lives in a consistent and uncompromising way, recognizing that their story isn’t over. Couple Discussion Questions Are there areas in our family life that we need to evaluate and possibly change? Is there a course we are on that we need to correct? Knowing that our kids will be growing up in a difficult world, how can we make them strong? How can we respond better to those who have turned away from Christ or His Church? How can we keep those lines of communication open? Who are the “spiritual fathers” in our life? How can we pray for them? Resources Bible in a Year Podcast Ascension videos w Fr Mike Introduction and Fundraising Campaign (0:00 - 4:04) Interview with Father Mike Schmitz Begins (4:04 - 5:09) Father Mike Schmitz's Background (5:09 - 7:02) Parenting and Family Life (7:02 - 13:23) Insights on Parenting and Perfection (13:23 - 18:13) Parental Sacrifice and Consistency (00:19:32 - 00:21:28) Parental Influence and Decision-Making (00:21:28 - 00:23:42) Navigating Marital Challenges (00:23:43 - 00:27:37) Spiritual Fatherhood (00:37:06 - 00:38:41) Parenting Journey and Impact (00:38:42 - 00:41:36) Understanding Parental Heartache (00:46:43:18 - 00:47:31:20) Dealing with Children Leaving Faith (00:47:31:22 - 00:48:57:00) Parental Support and Communication (00:50:29:03 - 00:52:37:11) Sexual Intimacy and Spirituality (00:56:53:17 - 00:58:32:06) Blessing and Spiritual Growth (01:02:14:04 - 01:03:32:18)…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 288: Sisterhood - an interview with the Doman Women 48:35

45 weeks ago48:35

48:35

Our parents made us sisters, but God made us friends. Summary One of the greatest blessings of Alicia’s life is that God gave her 9 brothers and sisters to laugh, play, fight, create, and pray with most of her life! This conversation is from a girls getaway weekend with the five Doman sisters. Now, because all the Doman siblings are practicing Catholics in good relationship with each other and their parents, people may put them in a category of “the perfect Catholic family”. But that is far from true. As you will hear, each one of these sisters has lived through tragedies and difficulties that were completely unexpected and not chosen by them at all. It is by God’s grace that each one of them has grown into the woman God is calling her to be and it is through that relationship with Christ, as well as the accident of birth, that we are able to have true sisterhood together. Listen in as we talk about God’s faithfulness through the difficulties of life and how true sisterhood with those in your family and friends are essential to our survival. Key Takeaways Life is not always easy, but God is near We can learn from those who God gives us, even when they are different from us. Don’t get frustrated by differences, embrace them! When we are joined together by common faith in Christ, we can develop true friendships Couple Discussion Questions What relationships can we invest more in to develop sisterhood and brotherhood? Are we happy with our relationships with our siblings? Why or why not? What can we change about this? How does sharing values with others change us?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MFP 287: Training for Virtue and Giving Freedom 1:02:22

46 weeks ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Summary In this episode, we explore the essential aspects of training for virtue and the challenging task of granting freedom to our children. We emphasize the importance of always communicating that you are on their side as a mentor, teacher, and guide, expecting mistakes along the way. We discuss the value of risking giving your child freedom, acknowledging it's not an easy journey. Key discussion points include how to provide more freedom for kids to make good choices, understanding if teens view parents as mentors, and identifying areas needing better boundaries and more training at home. Join us for practical strategies and insights to support your children in making virtuous choices while balancing freedom and boundaries. Key Takeaways Always communicate that you are on their side as a mentor, teacher, and guide. Expect mistakes Be willing to risk giving your child freedom - beware! It's not easy! Couple discussion questions How can we give our kids more freedom to make good choices? What are my fears about this? Do my teens see me as a mentor? Why or why not. Plan some time to talk to them about this. Where do we need better boundaries in our home? What are the areas in which our children need more training?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 286: Learning to Love by Being Loved 55:08

47 weeks ago55:08

55:08

The most important challenge you can take What does it take to be a great parent and have a joyful family? We think it all boils down to three essential elements. We have turned these three elements into the Play and Pray Challenge! More than ever, we need to celebrate the love of Jesus in the month of June, because it is HIS love and lordship that will truly fulfill all our deepest longings! What is the challenge? In the month of June do these three things with your family - Organize and execute an amazing FAMILY DAY, plan and go on a DATE NIGHT, and proclaim Jesus Christ as the KING OF THE HOME by placing the image of the Sacred Heart in their house and “enthroning” Him as King. We want to make this a fun and rewarding experience for families, so we have created some resources to help you out. Go to our website messyfamilyproject.org/challenge to get our Play and Pray Challenge Kit. There are even promo materials for you to put up at your parish or school! Get the free download and let us know your family is taking the challenge - https://messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/ Related podcast episode: MFP 091: King of the Home - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-091-king-of-the-home/ MFP 257: How to Change Your Heart - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-257-how-to-change-your-heart-lessons-from-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/ Key takeaways: One of the greatest assets we have in parenting is the ability to choose how we spend our time. Protect your yes with 1,000 no’s Your children need to be known and loved by you. Joy must be alive in your home. Your marriage gives you the grace to be a parent. So invest deeply in your marriage! Devotion to the Sacred heart is a game changer for families If you want to pray with your kids you need to play with them. Couple Discussion How do we waste time with our kids? How do we lavish love on them? What brings joy to the hearts of our children? How can we do more of that? What is my understanding of the love of Jesus flowing from His Sacred Heart? How can I express this love to my children?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 285: Tech Traps for Boys and Girls 58:21

48 weeks ago58:21

58:21

Summary In this next part of our series on tech, we talk about the specific challenges that tech use brings to boys and girls. Just as men and women have different gifts, they also deal with different temptations in their tech use. Because of this, parents must be proactive in teaching boundaries to their children so they can use tech with freedom when they leave your house and enter the world of adulthood. During this conversation, we give you some principles that you will need to discuss with your spouse to make a tech policy of your own. Every family must have some boundaries, because if you don’t define them, then the reality is that Big Tech will be calling the shots in your house. Their goal is to control your kids and they have the means to do it. Key Takeaways Because of the genius of men to create and subdue the world they are more tempted to be addicted to video games. Because of women’s gift of relationships they are more tempted to be absorbed in social media. Parents must know the symptoms of addiction and immediately respond if they believe their child has an addiction. Their child’s future success in life depends on it. The best filter is a well-formed child who knows how to respond to toxic online content. You must teach and model healthy tech use for your kids - nothing is private, have a healthy skepticism of any online content, and learn good manners. Couple Discussion Questions Are we aware of the symptoms of tech addiction? Are any of our children in danger of this addiction? If so, what are we going to do about it? Do we have a written tech policy? Plan a time to discuss with your spouse and create one. What is our plan for social media use for our children? Resources The Messy Family Guide to Technology - https://messyfamilyproject.org/guide/screens-your-child/…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 284: Is Your Child Addicted to Screens? 50:12

49 weeks ago50:12

50:12

The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness with the real world. ~Dr. Leonard Sax Technology can be a blessing or a curse. It can be used for great good and yet it can expose people to grave evil. Helping our children learn how to responsibly navigate the use of technology, especially social media, is one of the immense parenting challenges of our age. In this podcast, we look at the unique challenges that technology presents to parents and why parents must meet this challenge head-on! We talk about how to discern your tech use as a family and why just locking down every device is simply not enough. Like most areas of parenting, we need to first train ourselves and then take the time to train our children. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Don’t be naive. Stay on top of what your kids are watching and what they are engaging with. It is our responsibility to prepare and guide them. Discern your tech use as a person and as a family. Walk them through the seven keys to empower them to make good choices because tech is a powerful gift of God and should be used for good. Seven keys the church gives us to guide us in using technology Does it communicate a balanced worldview? How is the creator's attitude oriented towards the subject? Does it dignify the human person? Does it speak the Truth? Is it inspirational? Is it done with skill? Is it motivated by experience? Train your children to use it as they grow. Like driving a car, prepare them to use it as they mature and are old enough to use it wisely and virtuously COUPLE DISCUSSION In what ways have we been blessed by media and technolgy? How has it helped us? How can we discern our media use as a family? If our goal is to form our children to become adults who can make good media choices, how and when can we give our children appropriate freedom? What does that look like for our kids today? Resources: Infinite Bandwidth: Encountering Christ in the Media. By Dr. Eugene Gan https://www.afterbabel.com/p/algorithms-hijacked-my-generation https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2799042 https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/are-video-games-and-screens-another-addiction https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/teen-childhood-smartphone-use-mental-health-effects/677722/?gift=9xPqLPcwLfFbf_nnCRecvKJ-3gklcv6nZX-Hliug6W4&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share https://ifstudies.org/blog/is-your-son-addicted-to-video-games…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

1
MPF 313: Surviving the Holidays with Grace 53:36

19 weeks ago53:36

53:36

Kids will not always remember what you say, they will remember how they felt. Summary We have talked about the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s being the “Momolympics”, a time when there are tons of things to buy, make, prepare, plan, and basically the happiness of your children all depends on you (at least we feel that way!) How can parents embrace the holidays with children with grace and excitement? How can we keep in mind what is truly important for our family? In this episode we give some principles, but also LOTS of practical advice as we look back on all the different holidays we have had with our large family. Things look different now for us, but we can see in hindsight what worked well for us, and what was unnecessarily stressful! This is an amazing time of year and when you have kids the happy times are even more joy-filled, but the tough times can be really exhausting. We are here for you as you work to be intentional, even if you are a messy family! Key Takeaways The more you plan in advance the less rushed you are going to be. This will help you simplify so you can focus on what really matters. Keep in mind the order of your family culture! Spiritual life of the home, marriage, relationships, developing gifts and then the operations of the family. Get the kids involved! When they own traditions, it strengthens your family culture when they take on responsibilities for the holidays. Couple Discussion Questions What are the traditions that we want to double down on and make sure they happen this year? How are we going to reduce stress and delegate work to the kids? What is our plan to get them involved? Resources Throwback Friday: Toys! by Regina Schmiedicke MFP267: Toys and the Imagination MFP036 Holidays with In laws and Out laws Donate to the Messy Family Project…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 312: The Well Ordered Family 1:12:20

20 weeks ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Graces can flow into your home when nature is in its proper place. - Connor Gallagher, The Well-Ordered Family Summary Do you yearn for more order and clarity within your family? Is the chaos and busyness of modern life unsettling the harmony of your household? In this podcast, we interview Conor Gallagher, CEO of multiple businesses and father of sixteen, to talk to him about a transformative system that will restore peace and joy in your household. We love using business principles to improve family life, and in the Well-Ordered Family, Conor does just that! Join us for this conversation and find out why its good to realize that we all have systems in our home, how to get control of those systems, and why it is essential that parents not fall into a victim mentality. Find more about The Well-Ordered Family at https://wellorderedfamily.com/ Key Takeaways We all operate with systems in the home whether we realize it or not. The question is, are these systems effective? There are many policies that families need to implement, but if you have to start with one, start with your tech policy! When you are trying to get control of your family life, start by asking the question Why? Why are we trying to live a certain way? Parents need to be the architects of their family’s life and habits. No one else can do it for you. Couple Discussion Questions What are the systems in our home that most need attention right now? Are we falling into a victim mentality when it comes to running our home? How can we break out of that cycle?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 311: Family Roots - Mike's Irish Experience 43:54

21 weeks ago43:54

43:54

In this episode, we dive into the beauty and power of family history. Mike shares the incredible story of his journey to Ireland—a dream rooted in a deep love for his heritage and a promise to pass it on to his children. From the ruins of his grandfather’s cottage to the windswept cliffs of the Aran Islands, the trip becomes a testament to the importance of staying connected to the past while building a legacy for the future. As we reflect on the stories of those who came before us, we’re reminded of the sacrifices and struggles that shaped who we are today. Alicia and Mike discuss how understanding our roots can ground us in our present and inspire us to leave a rich legacy for those who will follow. Whether it’s through reclaiming a family cottage or sharing stories with your kids, this episode is a call to embrace the sacred work of family. We also explore how the holiday season offers a perfect time to reconnect with family traditions. From meaningful Advent meditations to practical tools like the Family Board Meeting course, we’re excited to help you create a home that is intentional and full of life. ✨ A Few Takeaways: The power of family stories to shape our identity and inspire our future The importance of honoring both the joys and struggles in our family history How to talk with your kids about their roots in a meaningful way 🌟 Featured Resources: Beautiful Advent books with Jesse Tree meditations and ornaments The Family Board Meeting webinar on December 8th Exclusive Advent bundles to enrich your holiday traditions 🙏 Let’s pray together for the grace to live lives worthy of those who came before us, and to build homes filled with faith, hope, and love. 💖 If this episode speaks to you, consider supporting the mission of the Messy Family Project. Your generosity makes everything we do possible—from free resources to life-changing events. Together, we can strengthen families and inspire faith. #FamilyStories #HeritageAndHope #MessyFamilyProject #RootedInFaith…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 310: Marriage, Teamwork, and Business - an interview with Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg 1:04:40

22 weeks ago1:04:40

1:04:40

“Guided and strengthened by God’s grace, husband and wife advance their own perfection… and contribute jointly to the glory of God” ~ Gaudium et Spes Summary You should never marry someone with the idea that you can change them, but we do need to help our spouses become the best version of themselves. We all should have a vision, a belief that our spouse can be amazing and then work with them for their good. In this podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Dan and Brenda - a couple from two different families, faith backgrounds, and life philosophies. Though they were different, they were able to learn from each other and build an incredible life together by the grace of God. Through their story, we were able to draw out lessons that all of us can learn from.…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 309: How Busy is Too Busy? 52:30

23 weeks ago52:30

52:30

Show me your checkbook and your datebook and I will show you what you value Summary So much of what we talk about on this podcast really hits home when it comes to how we spend our time. Family dinner, date nights, prayer time, even mass comes down to making time to do it. Four things determine how we run our lives and our family - talent, money, energy and time. Every one has different amounts of energy and talent and money, but we all have the same amount of time! How we use it is what matters. In this podcast we discuss how to evaluate the activities in our home and what we need to prioritize. This is a re-release of the podcast “Busyness” originally aired in the summer of 2017. Couple Discussion Questions Where in our life are we too busy? Where do we need to make time for what is really important? Where do we need better routines in our home to bring peace?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness 53:57

24 weeks ago53:57

53:57

“Genuine humility never disturbs the soul. Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy and calm” St. Theresa of Avila Summary What is the biggest problem in Catholic marriages? Although we appreciate good communication tools, marriage insights, and mentors - at the end of the day the biggest problem is simply a lack of holiness. One essential tool in our quest for holiness is learning how to ask for forgiveness. When we have conflict in our home, we all need to ask ourselves the question - what could I have done differently? When we take ownership in this way, we can repent to God and then ask forgiveness of our spouse or children in order to repair that relationship. Often we will focus only on our sins and try to amend our lives, but in addition to those good things, we also need to seek to reconcile the relationship and ask for forgiveness. Key Takeaways When there is conflict in the home, we always need to ask ourselves how have I contributed to this situation and what could I have done differently? Taking extreme ownership means that you don’t make excuses, but instead recognize that the past does not have power over you any more. You always have a choice. When you are aware of your weakness, you are more open to asking for forgiveness and growing in holiness Asking forgiveness also repairs the rupture in the relationship that happens as a result of our actions. When you ask forgiveness and make your heart pure through Confession, then you are able to more clearly see God. “The pure in heart shall see God” Matt 5:8 A daily examen should include asking for forgiveness of family members we have sinned against. Couple Discussion Questions Reflect on your marriage and children and ask God to show you areas in which you need to change. Go to your spouse and children and ask their forgiveness. When can we do a daily examen in our household? How can we incorporate regular asking of forgiveness? References: Dealing with Failure podcast: MPF 140 Forgiveness MP 060 Forgiveness and Transformation MFP 165 Romans 12 Matthew 18:21-35 Guide to Parenthood: Forgiveness in the Family…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 307: Navigating Family Life Challenges: Q&A with Real-Life Struggles and Faith-Filled Solutions 1:01:51

25 weeks ago1:01:51

1:01:51

In this special Q&A episode, we dive into some of the most heartfelt questions from our listeners. From the complex question of whether to expand the family to grappling with grief, boundaries in marriage, and integrating elderly parents into a household, these issues strike at the core of family life. We also tackle how to balance the call to evangelize in a world that often conflicts with our values—especially when raising children in today’s cultural climate. Join us as we explore these tough topics with compassion, real-life insights, and guidance for finding peace, strength, and unity in family life amidst life’s many challenges. Couple Discussion Questions Expanding the Family: How do we each feel about the possibility of having more children, and what are our hopes or concerns? How can we respect and support each other’s feelings in this decision? Emotional Connection and Boundaries: Are there areas where we hold back in sharing our emotions? How can we create a safe space to be vulnerable and open with each other? Navigating Grief and Hard Times: How have we supported each other through past challenges, and what can we learn from those experiences to better support each other now? Integrating Family Generations: If we needed to bring an elderly family member into our home, what expectations and boundaries would help create harmony for everyone? Raising Kids with Faith in a Secular Culture: What are our biggest concerns about raising children in today’s world, and how do we feel called to engage with those who have different values while protecting our family’s faith?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 306: What Teens/Tweens Really Need with Mark Hart 57:31

26 weeks ago57:31

57:31

“It’s important that we remember to talk ‘to’ our kids, not ‘at’ them” - Mark Hart Summary Parents are rightly concerned today about the influence of the culture on their teens. As much as we would like to put our kids in a teflon bubble to shield them from the false fake culture of the world, it is just not possible! What do our kids need from us to prepare them for life? Join us in this podcast for a conversation with Mark Hart of Lifeteen - a speaker, author, and parent himself of teens and adult children. Mark gives us some great insights (and laughs!) on how to talk to your kids, what they are REALLY looking for, and what not to be afraid of. We were blessed in this conversation and we are thrilled to be able to share it with you! Key Takeaways Keeping teens in a “teflon” bubble and trying to shield them from the world their whole lives doesn’t work. We need to teach them and get them ready. Kids need space to ask questions and have conversations with their parents without feeling judged. Pushing back is a natural part of maturation. Teens demand authenticity! They challenge us to be real and that is good for us and for the Church. Talk “to” your kids, not “at” them. Significant conversations with our teens allow our lives to re-echo across the generations. Take time for conversations. For parents, the 20 minutes you spend focused on your child and not on yourself is as spiritually beneficial as a Holy Hour! Parents should be less concerned with WHAT your child knows and more concerned about WHO is teaching them and where they are getting their information from God entrusted these souls to you for a season. They will not be living under your roof forever. See your child as a whole person. You need to spend time with them and really “see” them. A successful home has three altars: the dinner table to share life and food, the coffee table to gather with family and friends for ideas and fun, and the marriage bed that forms the foundation of the family. Parents often think of themselves as a hose that ideas and prayer comes through, but we need to be like a fountain - filled up so much in ourselves that we spill over onto our spouse, children, and everyone around us. Couple Discussion Questions Do we take time to have significant conversations with our kids? How can we do this more? Looking at the maturity of our children, are we protecting them too much? Not enough? How are we doing in using the “three altars” of our home? Are all three of them places that are giving life to our family? Links: Ascension press - Bible Heroes Register for the Family Board Meeting WWM On Demand course Listener Survey…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 305: Should You Correct Your Spouse? 51:37

27 weeks ago51:37

51:37

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 25:24 Summary All of us do things that annoy our spouse. Occasionally, we do things that hurt our spouse and vice versa. How do we communicate about these situations? Is it effective to tell them what they have done wrong? Is that what the scriptures tell us to do? In this episode, we discuss what it means to take “extreme ownership” of our own actions and emotions before trying to “fix” your spouse. We believe that the key to a strong marriage is finding how you can support each other on the road to heaven - and that means having the humility to see your own weaknesses first and embracing them. Once you have sought forgiveness and healed the relationship, then a conversation about how things could have gone differently can be more productive. Listen in to hear how you can move more intentionally towards unity through communication and forgiveness. Key Takeaways Couples need to take the principles of “gentle parenting” and apply them to each other! Skills like expressing empathy, giving guidance, and articulating feelings are all needed in marriage. When you correct someone, you put yourself above them. This is appropriate in a parent/child relationship, or even a boss/employee relationship, but really not in marriage where you have two equals. We can help our spouses to be self-reflective about situations by asking questions that can help them think about what they wanted the outcome to be and what actually happened. Couple Discussion Questions What can I do better to help you in areas that you want to grow in? Who is challenging me? Who do I look to as an example, as a mentor to progress in holiness? How can my spouse help me?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 304: Enjoying your Toddler 51:53

28 weeks ago51:53

51:53

“You can learn many things from toddlers! For example, how much patience you actually have.” -Anonymous One blessing of having ten kids is that we have matured and learned enough about kids to appreciate the toddler years of children #9 and 10 much more than those years with children #1 and 2. Our advice to parents of toddlers is to start by enjoying them! It’s hard to do when they are destroying your house and embarrassing you in public, but with a few strategies and consistency on your part, you can begin to see that this little bundle of creative energy has been amazingly designed by the Divine Creator. It’s all part of His plan to get this child to adulthood and independence, and to get you to heaven! Key Takeaways All children need to be delighted in, but especially the young child! Take time to relax and enjoy them. Toddlers challenge us to begin saying “yes” to them and their needs and “no” to our own desires. This is the great vocation of parenting! Giving choices is good, but don’t burden them by giving them too many choices. When they are having a tantrum, the question you should ask yourself is “what is the need here?” and then choose to respond NOT react. Through your calmness you are teaching them that you are in charge and they are not. Routine and stability are key! When they have a natural flow to their day that is predictable they can tend to be more peaceful. Couple Discussion Questions What are our natural responses to our toddlers? What do we think about that? What are our toddlers emotional outbursts like? What triggers them? How can we respond? What is our normal routine for our children? Is this working for them? What do we do with our toddlers at mass? Is this is a good plan? Notes: The Absorbent Mind (Montessori book) Articles on toddlers from Focus on the Family (Christian website)…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 303: How to Parent Like a Catholic Pt. 2 59:50

29 weeks ago59:50

59:50

Other Resources Welcome His Heart: https://welcomehisheart.com/ MFP 165: Forgiveness Brings Freedom and Transformation Videos - Evangelizing Your Kids and Forgiveness in the Family https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/pizza-and-parenting/watch/ Key Takeaways Parents must be very intentional about evangelizing their children and bringing them into a relationship with Christ. Marriage is a sacrament of service to the world. Our marriages are not just for us, they are an office of service. Every mother and father is to act as “priests of the home” and take up the spiritual authority God has given them for the sake of their children. Forgiveness is key to restoring relationships that have been broken and can teach children powerful lessons on relationships. In order to transform your family you will need to start with these three things - create habits to support your goals, make Jesus the king of your home, and build community to support your family. Couple Discussion Questions How are we leading together in the home? Have we taken up that call to spiritual leadership? What is my understanding of forgiveness? How can we live this out better within our home and our relationships? How is our marriage serving others? How are we giving from the well of our sacrament? What are 2 resolutions that we can make today to start living a transformed family life?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 302: A Parent’s Guide to Temperaments 1:26:40

30 weeks ago1:26:40

1:26:40

“You and your spouse are a team that GOD wants together!” - Art and LaraineBennett Summary The first step in creating a dynamic family is to know the people who are in it! That starts with knowing yourself, then your spouse, and then your children. One of the tools that we love using for this knowledge is the classic four temperaments - choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. The leading Catholic authors on the temperaments are Art and Laraine Bennett, authors of the book The Temperament God Gave You and many other great resources! In this conversation we pepper them with questions about what the temperaments are, why knowing the temperaments are important, and how they can change your parenting. This podcast is FULL of great tips and resources of parents of any age. Listen in! Key Takeaways Temperaments are only ONE aspect of our personality. Many things make each one of us unique. Temperaments are part of the wisdom of the ancients, but they also have been extensively studied in modern psychology Your temperament is the way you REACT. Knowing our temperament helps us to learn how to RESPOND to others in love. As a parent, knowing our children’s temperaments helps because we can teach them how to mature by focusing on their strengths and helping them process their weaknesses. When we react we will fly, fight, or freeze. Learning the “art of the pause” will help us respond in love and get out of “reaction mode”. You and your spouse can help each other by knowing your gifts and giving each other alternatives to handling difficult situations. Couple Discussion Questions Take the quiz at https://temperamentquiz.com and link your account with your spouse. Observe your children this week. During a date night, talk about the temperament of each child and how you can encourage their strengths. What are our gifts as a couple? How can we better use them for the good of our children?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 301: How to Parent Like a Catholic 59:35

31 weeks ago59:35

59:35

Your authority in the family does not come from perfection, it comes as a grace from your parenthood. Summary There are two kinds of families - those that are frantic and those that are fruitful. As Catholics we have an incredible grace to be fruitful families, but often our families don’t look much different than the secular, frantic families around us! How can we live family life differently? There are so many different parenting philosophies out there. Which ones should Catholics follow? In this podcast, we give an overview of The Catholic Parenting Course - a guide for parents who want to have a roadmap for raising their families to be in the world, but not of the world. The two parts of this podcast are how to parent like God the Father and then the secret weapon of the Catholic family (our regular listeners can guess what that is!). Listen in! Other Resources Book: Abba’s Heart Podcast: MFP096 and 097, Elements of a Family Culture and Building a Family Culture Key Takeaways To parent like God the Father, we need to start by conforming our hearts to His. Unity within your marriage needs to flow out and encompass everyone, all of your children giving them purpose and belonging. More than anything else, our children need us to delight in them. Forming the hearts of our children is our sacred task. Our goal should be to hand over the locus of control from us as parents to them. When lived intentionally, the culture within your home can be a powerful weapon against secular forces arrayed against us. Couple Discussion Questions Do we see our Heavenly Father as delighting in us? Why or why not? On a continuum from isolation to oneness, where are we now? How unified are we in our home? What does it mean to delight in our children? What does that look like for each of us, realizing that we will do this differently? What are the values that our family culture is communicating to our children?…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MFP 300: Loving with Boundaries: Navigating Tough Parenting Decisions & Friendships 1:06:03

32 weeks ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Summary: In this episode, we explore several listener's questions about how to manage friendships when personal values differ, particularly in situations where children are involved. Mike and Alicia are joined by their daughter, Katie to dive into the challenge of maintaining friendships with those whose lifestyle choices may conflict with Catholic teaching, while still modeling love and compassion for others. The conversation focuses on how to love the person, hold true to your beliefs, and balance protecting your family’s moral development. Couple Discussion Questions: How can you love friends or family members who hold values different from your own while protecting your children’s development? How do you explain complex adult relationships to your children in a way that aligns with your values? What boundaries do you set when it comes to relationships that conflict with your beliefs? Resources: For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/…

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

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MPF 299: Beauty, art, imagination and your kids with Andrew Peterson 58:42

33 weeks ago58:42