Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

It's easier to be patient after we come to realize how patient our Heavenly Father is with us. Why is it so hard for parents to be patient with their children? People who thought they were good and normal adults find themselves tearing their hair out over the things done by a child half their size and a fraction of their age! One thing we tell parents over and over is that parenting is supposed to change you. It is supposed to form you. It is supposed to be challenging, so if you are struggling, that is OK! But we do have some tips for you and some stories that we hope will help change your perspective on growing in this essential virtue for moms and dads. Key Takeaways: If you are impatient with your children you are normal! Lean in and allow yourself to be changed as you grow in virtue Children need adults to slow down and give them time to do things by themselves Parenting takes alot of time! Lessons need to be taught over and over. There is no magic bullet. Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. We can learn to be patient by first realizing how patient God is with us. We are disobedient, messy kids but our Father teaches us the same lessons over and over Couple Discussion: How would you rate your patience on a scale of 1-10? How would you rate your spouse? Discuss this. What lessons in your life has God had to teach you over and over? How has God been patient with you? Which one of your children do you find it most difficult to be patient with and why? Which of your children to you find it easiest to be patient with? How can you learn from this?

"I now am taking this kinswoman of mine, not because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together." Tobit 8:7 Summary Physical intimacy between spouses is a topic that is difficult to talk about, but one that is absolutely essential in Catholic circles. You see, Satan's plan is for people to have as much sex as possible BEFORE they are married and as little sex as possible AFTER they are married! These lies and confusion need to be addressed in a way that is respectful but also practical for married couples. In this podcast, we welcome Ellen Holloway of Vines in Full Bloom, a ministry dedicated to helping women and couples experience a joyful, satisfying sexual relationship within marriage. We discuss sexual pleasure, the different ways that men and women handle stress, the relationship between sex and prayer, the difference between "anticipatory" and "escalatory" foreplay, and what to do when your libido is completely gone. There is a wealth of valuable information for husbands and wives to hear and then discuss with each other. Listen in and join the conversation! Key Takeaways Part of foreplay is being aware of your spouse throughout the day and letting them know you are thinking of them. Being joyful in marriage means you have a willingness to build intimacy through unity with your spouse. If you have no desire for sex at all at the moment, ask yourself, "What AM I willing to do?" No one should accept zero libido as a lifestyle. That is not normal. There are many similarities between how we view prayer and how we view sexual relations with our spouse. We should be continually learning in both. Our Heavenly Father made sexual relations to be pleasurable because He loves us and wants us to be happy. Sometimes we don't accept how overly generous our Father is! Couple Discussion Questions Take 5-10 min daily for a week to discuss sex with each other. How often do we discuss our sex life? What is holding us back from having this conversation? Do I believe sex is a sacred gift from God? Why or why not? Resources Charting Toward Intimacy podcast www.vinesinfullbloom.com Physical Intimacy download from MFP website. https://messyfamilyproject.org/guide/physical-intimacy/

Parenting is not an inborn skill. It is something that we learn over time from trial and error and with help from others. Summary Over the past 28 years raising our 10 kids we have made a lot of mistakes, but also learned from them! In this podcast, we go over 12 tips that we have found make a big difference in the life of a family. They are principles that we live by and how we have gotten where we are today. None of them are rocket science - but they are things you may not have thought of before or realized how essential they are. We have released this podcast before, but now we have a new perspective since our kids are older and now we have grandkids. The great thing is, we have found that these tips still work! As you listen, make sure that you choose 1 or 2 things that you want to implement in your lives starting this week. Don't try to do everything! Small changes over time have the biggest impact. Listen in and join the conversation! Key Takeaways It is not your job to make your children into saints. It is their job to make YOU into a saint! You are irreplaceable. Your children will only ever have ONE mom and ONE dad. No one can do for your child what you can do. Your children cannot be the center of your family. They are part of a community. Love requires boundaries. But at the same time, remember that rules without relationship breeds rebellion. Children need to be taught everything. They don't know the words to say to be respectful, or the way to respond when you ask them to do something. Do not be surprised when they don't do what you want right away. Your job is to teach them. Couple Discussion Questions Do I find it easy or hard to embrace my authority as a parent? Do I recognize my unique place in the life of my child? How would I articulate my role? How do I feel about my child making me into a saint? What are ways I see them teaching me how to be less selfish? Do we have a plan for discipline? Are we on the same page? Where do we disagree?

Summary Most of us rarely have an opportunity to sit down and talk to a priest, let alone a bishop! We were so blessed to have a conversation with not just a bishop, but an archbishop and one who loves the Lord, loves families, and who leads with the heart of a shepherd. Join us as we talk to Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City who shares his story of growing up without a father and how his mother and family gave him the stability and security he needed to flourish and become the man God called him to be. He provides insights to families in our conversation along with a good dose of humor and practical encouragement. Key Takeaways Family stability and security are essential for children to flourish and fulfill their God-given potential, as Archbishop Naumann's own upbringing exemplifies. Archbishop Naumann emphasizes the importance of love, faith, and commitment within families as foundational elements for building strong communities and societies. Practical encouragement and humor are valuable tools in navigating the challenges and joys of family life, as shared by Archbishop Naumann during the conversation. Couple Discussion Questions How can we emulate the stability and security that Archbishop Naumann experienced in his upbringing within our own family dynamic? In what ways can we prioritize love, faith, and commitment within our family to strengthen our bonds and contribute positively to our community? How can we incorporate humor and practical encouragement into our family life to navigate challenges and foster a spirit of joy and resilience? Reflecting on Archbishop Naumann's insights, what changes or adjustments can we make to our family routines or habits to better reflect our values and priorities? What lessons or inspirations can we take from Archbishop Naumann's story to enhance our own journey as spouses and parents?

Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia Hernon explore the transformative impact of conversations with children. They emphasize the importance of fostering a family culture centered around meaningful dialogue. From toddlers to teens, discover practical strategies for nurturing curiosity, understanding, and mutual respect within the parent-child relationship. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that highlights the profound influence of conversations in shaping both children and parents alike. For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Key Takeaways Conversations form your children, but more importantly, it forms YOU Kids will not always remember what you said, they will remember how they felt. Conversations should be different depending on the age of the child Conversations should be part of your family culture. How the conversations happen, when they happen, and what you talk about. Couple Discussion Questions On a scale of 1-10 how good are we at talking with our kids? How can we improve? What is the most difficult part of talking with the kids? How can I get over this? What assumptions do I make when I am talking to my children? What are some topics my children would like to talk about?

"Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic." ~ John Paul II, Letter to Women Summary Women have particular gifts to bring to the world which were identified by John Paul II as the "genius of women". The Given Institute was created by religious superiors of the major orders in the United States and works with young women in all states of life to help them realize that they are gift, work to discover their unique giftedness and then make a plan to bring those gifts to the world. In this podcast, we discuss these topics with Michelle Hilleart, their Executive Director who is passionate about the need for women to know their own dignity and worth. There are so many lies and confusing messages being given to young women today and these messages are preventing them from not just being who they were created to be, but also preventing them from knowing how they were created. Listen in to hear about what REAL "girl power" is! Key Takeaways John Paul II identified the "genius of women" as receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and maternity. Every woman is called to be a spiritual mother - whether she is a natural mother, single woman, or consecrated woman. Every woman is called and gifted and those gifts begin to grow when a woman knows who she is as a daughter of God. Once we know what those gifts are we should then create an "action plan" to bring those unique gifts to the world. Couple Discussion Questions Do I recognize my dignity as a daughter of God? What are the gifts that are uniquely mine? How can I develop those gifts and bring them to the people around me?

"It's our experience that parents who don't allow their children to play with weapons have little boys who will chew their toast into the shape of a gun" Summary Hello, I wanted to ask a question in regard to violent play for a toddler. My 4 year old boy is obsessed with all types of toy swords, lasers, etc. Any suggestions on how to manage it in a way that lets him explore but also places limits on it? This question came from a listener who is a mom of a normal boy! But often this type of behavior catches parents unaware. Our culture gives so many confusing messages to boys in the world. Sometimes the behavior of little boys can be surprising or even shocking to moms who aren't used to rough and tumble play. But the beauty of boys is that they are made for this! And playing is how they learn to make sense of the world around them, handle conflicting emotions and learn to relate in a healthy way to other boys. In this podcast, we tackle the issue head on with some funny stories and practical advice. We also discuss some of the psychology behind the emotional life of boys and what parents need to do to keep their boys well-adjusted and loved. In the end we have tips for you on how to teach your boy to use his body in a way that respects himself and others. Key Takeaways Violent play in young boys is natural and when it comes from within their own mind (not from images introduced to them) it is not just harmless, but important to allow. Boys work out their emotions physically. The verbal and emotional parts of their brain are not hard wired as girls' are. Getting your boys comfortable and confident in their bodies is essential for their emotional and mental health. Boy's emotions are just as present and as deep as girls are. They are just expressed differently and need to be responded to differently. Couple Discussion Questions What do I find hardest about my boys How can we respect the way they are made Resources: Documentary on the emotional life of boys https://youtu.be/y9k0vKL5jJI?si=W8v5vmmWzNojXKAV

Join Mike and Alicia Hernon on this enlightening episode of the Messy Family Podcast as they sit down for an insightful interview with Bishop Joseph Coffey of the Archdiocese of the Military (United States). Together, they explore the intriguing question, "Where do Bishops Come From?" and delve into Bishop Coffey's personal journey of faith, discernment, and leadership within the Catholic Church. With candor and wisdom, Bishop Coffey shares his unique perspective on the role of bishops in today's world and offers valuable insights into the formation and responsibilities of these spiritual leaders. From his early experiences in the military to his calling to the priesthood and eventual consecration as a bishop, Bishop Coffey's story is both inspiring and enlightening. Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alicia engage Bishop Coffey in a wide-ranging discussion that touches on topics such as the challenges facing the Church, the importance of prayer and discernment in leadership, and the role of bishops in shepherding their flocks through turbulent times. Whether you're a devout Catholic seeking a deeper understanding of the Church's hierarchy or simply curious about the journey of bishops, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and ministry of one of the Church's spiritual leaders. Subscribe now and join Mike, Alicia, and Bishop Coffey as they navigate the complexities of faith, family, and leadership in today's world.

In this faith-filled episode of the Messy Family Podcast, Mike and Alicia discuss discuss the significance of authenticity, the power of family traditions, and the impact of a vibrant faith community. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting your family journey, this episode promises valuable insights and practical tools for nurturing a legacy of faith that will endure for generations to come. Tune in to the Messy Family Project podcast today and discover how to build a legacy of faith that withstands the test of time. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation that will empower you to embrace your role as a faith-filled parent and create a lasting impact on your family's spiritual journey. Subscribe now and join the Messy Family Project community as we navigate the beautiful messiness of family life together! For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the heart of family bonding and spiritual growth with an enlightening interview with the Marinist Family. Guided by the profound core beliefs of the Marianist Family Retreat Ministry, our guests share invaluable insights into strengthening familial ties, fostering communication, and embracing forgiveness and commitment within the family unit. Key Takeaways: Discover the transformative power of affirming familial love and forgiveness. Embrace the teachings of Mary as a model for nurturing familial spirituality. Explore the concept of discipleship of equals and its impact on family ministry. Learn how community plays a vital role in nurturing familial bonds and spiritual growth. Uncover the structured and unstructured opportunities for growth within the Marinist Family Retreat Program. Embrace the practice of prayer and discernment in opening oneself to the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the family context. Couple Discussion Questions: How can we incorporate the teachings of Mary into our family dynamics? Reflecting on the pillars of the Marinist Family Retreats, which aspect do we feel is most crucial for our family's growth? How can we create a balance between structured and unstructured family time to nurture spiritual growth? In what ways can we foster a sense of community within our family and extend it to the larger community? Tune in to this enlightening episode as we uncover the tools for deepening familial bonds and fostering spiritual growth with the Marinist Family.

For a child to learn how to love, they need to first be loved. So many people find disciplining their children to be one of the biggest challenges of being a parent. We look back to the way our parents raised us and often we realize that we want to do things differently, but we just don't know how. Without a new perspective, many times we just fall back on what we experienced as a child and we react from our own woundedness or our own view of what a father or mother should be. In this episode, Mike and Alicia talk about how parents can model the perfect parent, God the Father Himself. As we do this, we will find ourselves walking in our true identity as a son or daughter of the Most High. When we understand that, then we can form our children as God forms us. Listen in to this essential conversation and use our Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions to go deeper with your spouse on this topic. Key Takeaways We need to parent the way God fathers us, free of emotion and manipulation Discipline starts with relationship because its all about forming their hearts. We need to teach children how to repair and restore relationships when they do the wrong thing. Couple Discussion Questions In our childhoods have we experienced shame from our parents or those in authority? How did that make me feel? Do we imitate those behaviors in our parenting? How can we reflect God the Father more in our formation of our children? Consider one of your children in need of formation. What is the best way to reach their heart?

Your family culture is the operating system in your home. It communicates to your children more powerfully than any written word. Family culture is something that we are passionate about in this ministry! We believe that this is the secret weapon of the Catholic family and something that every mom and dad needs to be very intentional about. The culture within the home is like the operating system in your family and it communicates more powerfully than any written word. In this episode we give the foundations of family culture and explain why it's important. Because there is so much to cover, we only get to talk about the spiritual life of the home and what that means for the children. This is a re-release of a previous episode, but the information is timeless and the principles are the foundation of many of our courses and guides. Re-release MFP096 Building a Family Culture For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Key Takeaways Parents don't create a culture, they steward it. All the members of the family participate. Family Culture is the unspoken system that binds your family together and communicates your expectations, beliefs, and values more powerfully than any written word. Your culture must be stronger and more attractive than the secular culture and it must communicate more powerfully. A wise family learns how to manage the urgent and prioritize the important. The spiritual life of your home needs to be the foundation of your culture because it is our connection to God that gives meaning to our lives. Couple Discussion Questions There is a culture in our home right now. What is this culture communicating to our children? What are some values that we want our children to learn from our culture? How can we do this better? What are the Urgent things in our life that we need to manage better? What are the Important things that we are putting off? Resources FBM course registration to grow a healthy culture in your home! https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting/ Family Culture download: https://messyfamilyproject.org/guide/family-culture-guide/

In this episode, Mike and Alicia keep diving into the complex relationship of man and woman in marriage. It is vitally important that we keep in mind that we need to act according to our nature to have a successful, peaceful marriage! Part of this is realizing that there is a dance that happens between spouses - that is the giving and receiving. So what some fundamentalists may call "headship" we would say this is really men giving to their wives and families because this is what enables them to receive. What others may call "submission" we would say is really women receiving from their husbands in order to give. This is where the idea of "mutual submission" comes from. Both men and women are called to give and receive, but it is in a different order. Listen in and send us your questions! We would love to tackle them in a future episode! Key Takeaways: The Fall broke the unity between husband and wife and made them distrust each other. Adam was passive and Eve took the initiative. This was disordered. Jesus elevated marriage to a sacrament and called us all to something greater. To a supernatural call that only He can give us the grace to accomplish. Both husband and wife are called to give and to receive, but the order is reversed. Men are called to GIVE in order to RECIEVE. Women must RECIEVE in order to GIVE. This is the difference between leadership and submission. Husbands need to learn to receive from their wives, and wives need to learn how to give from their husbands. Couple Discussion: What does our "dance" look like in our home? How to be operate when we make decisions? When we run the family? How easy is it for him to give first in our home? How can we both support that initiative? Are there areas in which he is receiving without giving? Are there areas in which she is giving without first receiving? Resources Fr. John Riccardo on Ephesians 5 and Marriage https://watch.actsxxix.org/marriage-through-the-lens-of-scripture/season:1/videos/3-ephesians-5 MFP 181 The Role of a Submissive Wife https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-181-the-role-of-a-submissive-wife/ Role of a Husband Blog https://messyfamilyproject.org/blog/the-role-of-a-husband/ MFP 186: Role of a Catholic Husband https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-186-the-role-of-a-catholic-husband/

Join Mike and Alicia Hernon on another insightful episode of The Messy Family Podcast, where they fearlessly delve into the timeless and relevant topic of headship in marriage in reference to the key passages in Ephesians 5. In this episode, the Hernons share the behind-the-scenes of their podcast and video show on YouTube, inviting you to subscribe and become a valuable member of their growing community. They take you on a journey through recent family events, from unexpected hospital visits to the joyous arrival of their seventh grandchild, Declan John. Amidst the chaos, the Hernons ask for your prayers for a family facing health challenges, emphasizing the power of community and support in navigating life's trials. They also share exciting updates about upcoming events, such as the Good News cruise with Father Mike Schmitz and the Catholic Couples Getaway with Chris and Natalie Stefanik. Stay tuned for announcements for Catholic Couples Getaway 2025! As the episode unfolds, Mike and Alicia explore the concept of headship in marriage, addressing the age-old question: Do wives have to obey? Gain insights, reflections, and practical wisdom on this crucial aspect of family life. Whether you're a parent, spouse, or part of a messy family, this episode offers valuable perspectives on collaboration, obedience, and the beauty of shared roles in marriage. Don't miss out on this engaging and thought-provoking discussion that aims to navigate the beautiful chaos of marriage, offering inspiration and support for every member of the messy family community.

🎙️ Dive into a captivating episode of the Messy Family Podcast with Mike and Alicia Hernon! In this edition, titled "Angels Watching Over Us with Fr. Wolfgang Seitz," we explore the fascinating realm of guardian angels and the divine assistance that surrounds our lives. 🌟 Join Mike and Alicia as they welcome Father Wolfgang Seitz from the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, an expert on the Holy Angels. Fr. Wolfgang shares insights into the deep devotion his order has for the angels and provides a unique perspective on the vital role they play in our lives. 👼Discover the untapped source of strength that our guardian angels offer, and learn about a yearlong consecration program that can deepen your connection with these celestial beings. Fr. Wolfgang's experiences and teachings shed light on how our guardian angels collaborate with us in both natural and supernatural aspects of life. 🏠 As you listen, gain a profound understanding of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross and their mission to spread devotion to the Holy Angels. Explore the rich history of the order and how it intersects with the powerful tradition of consecration. 🙏 Whether you're a believer seeking to enhance your spiritual journey or simply curious about the divine mysteries, this episode provides valuable insights. Tune in to the Messy Family Podcast and let the wisdom shared by Fr. Wolfgang Seitz inspire you to embrace the unseen yet eternal presence of angels in your life. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that may forever change the way you perceive the guardianship of these heavenly beings! 🔗 Subscribe to the Messy Family Podcast for more engaging discussions and practical insights on navigating the beautiful chaos of family life with Mike and Alicia Hernon. Your journey into the messy and miraculous tapestry of familyhood awaits! For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

In this episode, we look into the world of toys, discussing their impact on children's development and the importance of purposeful and intentional choices in selecting toys for our families. Our special guest, Regina Doman, shares valuable insights into cultivating imagination, creativity, and responsibility in children through thoughtful toy choices. As we explore the role of toys in shaping a child's worldview, we reflect on the significance of simplicity, quality over quantity, and the benefits of open-ended toys like building blocks. We also touch upon the idea of rotating toys to keep a sense of novelty and excitement while minimizing clutter. Regina emphasizes the importance of recognizing the formative nature of the home environment and the valuable lessons children learn through play. We address the common challenges parents face, such as dealing with violent play, and how to navigate these situations with wisdom and balance. To further enrich this discussion, Regina suggests checking out her article on Nova Natural, where she elaborates on her philosophy and approach to toys. We conclude with a prayer for parents, seeking God's guidance and blessings in raising children who embrace the beauty of simplicity, creativity, and responsibility. https://reginadoman.substack.com/p/throwback-friday-toys Your support and prayers contribute to the mission of rebuilding families and making a positive impact on marriages and children. If you've been blessed by what we do, consider making a donation or spreading the word to help us continue our work. https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Thank you for joining us on this journey of exploration and reflection. May God bless your families abundantly, and until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you.

"For it is good to be a child sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when the mighty Founder was a child Himself." ~ Charles Dickens Christmas is a magical time for children. Whether you celebrate Santa, St. Nick, Elf on a Shelf or other traditions, this season is a wonderful time for children to develop wonder and awe. How do parents do this in a way that encourages their children to keep their eyes on the eternal significance of this holy time? There are so many things that we can do with our kids that it forces parents to be intentional. We need to make sure we choose to do those activities that have the most impact on our kids in a way that communicates truth. Listen in as we share our ideas, but also set realistic expectations during this intensely busy time for parents. 🎄 Resources Mentioned: Explore additional resources on Advent and Christmas traditions by checking out our Advent and Christmas Traditions Book, visit our website for more information. 🌈 Join Us in Creating a Joyful Family Culture! Discover how these traditions not only bring joy and wonder to your home but also form the identity of your children in profound ways. Let's build a community that stands out in love, service, and faith. 🔗 Connect with Us: https://instagram.com/messyfamilyproject?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg== 👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe for more heartwarming discussions on faith, family, and traditions. 🌟For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Key Takeaways: Children celebrate Christmas differently depending on their age There is wonder and beauty in Christmas that we should encourage in our children Parents need to be discerning about the environments that we put our children in Couple Discussion: How can we create an environment that communicates truth to our children? What are the traditions we want to establish in our home for our children? What needs do our children have right now?

"The family is where children discover how to be human." - Archbishop Charles Chaput Over and over again people ask us how to help their kids get along with each other. We usually respond that of course their kids don't get along - because they are kids! That is what you are doing as a parent. You are the ones teaching them how to live at peace with other human beings in the world and they are practicing what you teach them in your home! This is the training ground for their lives. But that doesn't mean that parents do nothing. There are important lessons that parents need to teach their children at home so they can learn key social skills and have great relationships with their siblings not just while they are under your roof, but for the rest of their lives. Listen to this re-release of our 2016 podcast on this subject. Key Takeaways: Be open to giving your children as many siblings as possible. Don't always intervene. Let your children alone to work things out on their own. Help them value differences between different personalities by learning to appreciate each other. Teach them how to forgive and repair relationships when they are broken. Couple Discussion: How can we structure our home routine to foster better relationships between our children? Do we intervene too much in sibling conflicts? Not enough? Have we taught our children how to ask for forgiveness? If not, how can we do this?

Boundaries are not meant to keep people out, but to set a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not within our relationships At a few of our events, we have gotten questions from older parents who ask what to do about adult children who have cut them out of their lives. At first we were surprised by this question, since the parents who attend our events are usually not ax-murderers or reprobates. But then we realized that this seems to be a disturbing trend in our culture - young people who find fault with their parents and therefore choose to disown them. Because we serve parents, we wanted to give a different take on the "wisdom of the world" and challenge our listeners to set boundaries and be healthy, but in a way that still honors the commandment that God gave us to honor your mother and father. Yes, some of us have grown up in dysfunctional homes, but that does not mean that our families of origin should still have power over us. Listen in as we help color in some gray to a discussion that is far from black and white. Key Takeaways: No one should have the right to "push our buttons". We need to be free in our relationships even when people are unhealthy. Boundaries are good things to keep our families peaceful. You can't replace your family - for good or for bad, they belong to you and you belong to them. One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your father and mother. This is God's idea, not ours and it needs to be taken very seriously Couple Discussion: How can we honor our father and mother appropriately? How would we want our children to treat us someday? What are good boundaries for our holiday visits with family? Resources Dennis Prager Video: https://www.prageru.com/video/your-parents-dont-deserve-this?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_8266139 Great article from Catholic Psych - https://www.catholicpsych.com/blog/a-catholic-approach-to-dealing-with-difficult-relationships Forgiveness- Shalom series https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/forgiveness-in-the-family-susan-and-urby-potvin

"The idea that the family is a democracy and that children and parents have the same responsibility within the home completely ignores the developmental needs of the child " - Mike and Alicia A child's temper tantrums are frustrating to parents, but we should recognize that they are often a result of a child's deficit in communication, understanding, and emotional control. Children simply have immature responses to situations of conflict. Knowing this may help, but parents also need strategies to get through these tricky, volatile, and potentially embarrassing situations. In this podcast, we get practical and give parents the Four D's of temper tantrums. Determine, diffuse, distract, and - when all else fails - Done. In a world that says parents and children are equal, parents have no rights, and honor is a thing of the past, we would like to push back and challenge parents to instead embrace the sacred calling to form their children with love and wisdom. Listen in and start a conversation with us and your spouse. Key Takeaways: Determine Diffuse Distract Done Couple Discussion: When do our children have meltdowns? Why? What are some strategies to proactively avoid tantrums? How can we be more effective in responding to our children's tantrums?

"You are called to have great hearts here, counter-cultural and brave. You can build something better, freer, more generous, and nobler, beginning in your own home." - Bishop Thomas Olmstead, Complete My Joy 59 Man and woman coming together to build a home is a natural experience that has happened over and over again since the creation of the world, but we need to keep learning about what marriage is for and how to nourish this essential communion. In this interview with Mike and Sharon Phelan we discuss how marriage can be transformational in the lives of men and women and a path to the true flourishing of the individual. The problems are coming from a culture that is lying to us and pointing us in all different directions. We discuss the concept of "submission" and "headship" as well as NFP - the good, the bad and the ugly. Join in this conversation and find wisdom from this Catholic couple. Key Takeaways: Marriage is like ballroom dancing - without a leader, there is no dance. Men need a mission! And that mission should be to enable their wives to be a mother who is strong, beautiful and free. NFP unpacks the mystery of a woman's body to her husband (and sometimes to herself!) Following the Church's teaching on marital sexuality changes us! Even if we don't fully understand or agree, acting in a virtuous way promotes virtue. Couple Discussion: How is does our marriage "dance" look right now? How can we do this better? Are we in "awe" of our ability to bring children into the world? How does this effect our marital relations? How can we learn more about the Church's teaching on marriage and family? Resources Complete My Joy - apostolic exhortation written by Bishop Thomas Olmstead The Mission of the Family video series https://www.kofc.org/un/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html

"An important element in forming Christian maturity in teens is creating a 'Yes' culture in the home, where a child can take risks, try new things, and find out more about who they are all while under your guidance." - Mike and Alicia With the advent of the sexual revolution in the 60s and 70s and the subsequent increase in teen sexual activity, the response of the Christian community in the 80s and 90s was to make dating among conservative Christian teens verboten. Among many good Catholic families, there is still a wide range of opinions on when kids should start dating, even among other families that we really respect. We have allowed our older teens to date and in this podcast we explain why. Like most of what we do, we have not guided our kids perfectly every time, but we have done it intentionally and we have learned some things over the years that we can share with you. Listen in to this podcast on mentoring kids during this essential time of development. Key Takeaways: Not all dating is the same - there are different levels. We need to prepare our children for healthy relationships and this includes giving them dating guidance. How you do that is up to you, but it needs to be done. Create a YES culture in your home. Freedom and responsibility go together Casual dating is for teens, serious dating is when you are ready for marriage - in college and beyond. Don't confuse them. Couple Discussion: Have we created a yes culture in our home? What was our dating experience like? What would we like our children to imitate from our experience? Avoid? What are our "rules for dating" for our children? References to be included in summary: Preview for The Dating Project movie here

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world" - CS Lewis Life can be hard. Sometimes, in response to difficulties, instead of turning to the Lord in our pain, we self-medicate which can lead to addictions of one kind or another which only leads to more pain in the long run. In this podcast, we hear the story of Ched and Nanette Salasek, Catholic parents of six children who have a story that every couple needs to hear. Even if you haven't struggled with addiction, you can learn from the lessons that they share about the healing grace of the sacrament of marriage, the role of the Blessed Mother in their family, and surrendering everything to the Lord. Listen in to this inspiring and hopeful conversation. Key Takeaways: The only path to freedom is through individual surrender. No one can do it for us. The role of a spouse in helping an addict is one of support and prayer and constant surrender. God doesn't want just our external actions - He wants our hearts! Couple Discussion: Are there areas of our life that we have not surrendered to God? Do we have addictions in our life that are ruling us? Are there areas that are out of control? How has God used our failings to draw us closer to Himself? References to be included in summary: Dare to Surrender Book - https://amzn.to/3QqlAOA

"With careful planning, honest communication, and the right help and care around you, your different tomorrow can be meaningful and extraordinary."― John Delony Let's be honest, family life is full of stress! Sometimes there are big stresses like the loss of a job, a new colicky baby in the house, overwhelming responsibilities, or marriage issues. But even the little stresses can add up! Moody teens, worries over a child's academic performance, or even a messy house can lead parents to feel like "I just can't take it." What is a parent to do? In this episode we take an honest look at anxiety in parenting and help parents to put it all in perspective. The bottom line is, the longer we do this family thing, the more we realize that the problems never go away, but we simply see them differently now than we did before. Listen in as we share our perspective to give every parent encouragement and hope for your future as we learn to put it all in God's hands. Key Takeaways: Take back your life Don't get trapped in the weeds - lift your head up! Do the little things well - Atomic Habits Every Yes needs to be protected by 1,000 No's. Prioritize your life Couple Discussion: When have I recently felt stressed? Has it become overwhelming? Where do I need perspective and help from my spouse? What are essential elements for our simple life plan to bring order? References: FBM download - Messyfamilyproject.org/guides Survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XW98NMH John Deloney book - https://amzn.to/48T8LUb

"The point is that neuroses don't have to ruin a marriage. If you can accommodate each other's "crazy" side and handle it with caring, affection, and respect, your marriage can thrive." ― John M. Gottman Many people are good at functioning in their marriage, getting along, caring for kids, paying the bills… but are they really thriving? How can we get more out of the most important relationship we have - the one we have with our spouse? In this podcast, we look at the book, Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman, and explain how to use these ideas to make your marriage grow. Though the expression of these ideas are new to us, the truth contained in them is not. We have found that we have done many of these things in our marriage over the years! Listen in for some great relationship advice for anyone who wants to move from a marriage that is surviving to thriving. Key Takeaways: Review 7 principles Couple Discussion: How can we Honor each other Start a Gratitude challenge When is our Daily connection and weekly date night Do the Family Board Meeting

"Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love" - Jesus to St. Margaret Mary How can we love like Jesus? What is His love like? Answering these questions is the role of devotions in the Catholic world. They help us learn more about God and how He relates to us. The Sacred Heart of Jesus teaches us to love as God loves and this is a lesson that all families need to embrace fully. In this podcast, we interview Emily Jaminet of the Sacred Heart Enthronement network and author of the new book Holy Habits of the Sacred Heart. Our conversation explains how both of our families have been impacted by this devotion and how it has given us a way to proclaim Christ as King, and also to have a place to go as a safe refuge in times of trial. As we pray to the Heart of Jesus, He can change our hearts to make us more like Himself! When we learn about how He loves, we can imitate that love which is a path of holiness itself. Learn more about this devotion, what the Nine First Fridays are, how Jesus blesses families with the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart and why the Enthronement is a means of evangelization and transformation. Key Takeaways: This devotion gives "spiritual stability", focus, and a way to understand the love of Jesus in a concrete, defined way. It prevents us from making Jesus into our own image, but instead reveals to us how He truly loves. Jesus wants a relationship of love with each one of us and He wants to transform our hearts to be like His. A great way to reconcile with children or those with whom we have conflict is to say, "I am allowing Jesus to change my heart". Forgiveness means that we are coming up against "cancel culture" which says that once someone does something wrong they are cut out of one's life. By following the Heart of Jesus we learn practice forgiveness in our home and communities. The devotion of Nine First Fridays and the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home give families concrete ways to understand and come closer to the Heart of Jesus. Couple Discussion: How can we increase our devotion to the Sacred Heart? Emily mentioned that giving up control and trusting in Jesus is a first step to being docile to Jesus. What does that mean to us? How can we practice forgiveness in our home? Is there anyone in our lives that we need to forgive? Reference Links: https://welcomehisheart.com/ https://www.emilyjaminet.com

We need to take a sacramental view of ordinary life - Mike and Alicia Hernon We often say that family culture is the secret weapon of Catholic families. Why is this? Because the culture within your home is more powerful than any written word. It communicates expectations, beliefs, and values to everyone in the family. In this podcast, we tackle some questions that listeners have sent into us about the culture within their homes. We answer questions like "what do I do about kids always fighting?", "how do I take care of individual kids in a big family?", "how do we handle birthdays?", and "Help! I feel like I'm drowning!" (which isn't exactly a question, but it is a common email we get!). In all of these situations, the issue comes back again and again to the culture you are fostering within your home. When you see all that you do in light of that, all the other issues will fall into place. Listen in and learn about this powerful tool that every parent should develop. Getaway: https://catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Listener Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XW98NMH

Christ is present in a special way when a couple prays together. They not only renew their yes to God, but also achieve a deeper union with each other, which springs solely from the union of hearts and couples in the sacrament of marriage. - Fr. Henri Caffarel How can couples move their marriage from surviving to thriving, or from good to great? By making couple prayer a normal part of our marriage. Christian marriage is a supernatural endeavor, so that means that it is really not possible to have a successful marriage without Jesus! Prayer between spouses isn't just something you do, it is a gift from the two of you to Christ Himself. It is acknowledging that Christ is the "glue" that keeps you together. In this podcast we talk about how to incorporate prayer into your marriage, why it is so important, and how prayer can help you forge a deeper unity than you have ever had before. Much of this conversation is discussing the writings of Fr. Henri Caffarel, founder of Teams of Our Lady. Getaway: https://catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Listener Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XW98NMH

The indissolubility of marriage…should not be viewed as a 'yoke' imposed on humanity, but as a 'gift' granted to those who are joined in marriage… God's indulgent love always accompanies our human journey; through grace, it heals and transforms hardened hearts, leading them back to the beginning through the way of the cross. - Pope Francis The marriage sacrament is meant to heal and transform us into who God wants us to be! But sometimes that journey is not what we would expect. In this interview, David and Margaret Bereit share their story of marriage and David's conversion - the two are completely intertwined! Listen in as we talk about how they walked together in freedom though they were in different places, how they loved each other and their children in the midst of their different faiths, and how David came to join the Church and what that meant for them both. There is some great advice in this interview for those in mixed marriages and for anyone who wants to know how to deeply love friends and family who are in a different place than yourself. https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting-live/ www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. - Proverbs 31:30 Back by popular demand, this is another interview that we did with Michele Doman, Alicia's mom and mother of 10 grown children, grandmother to over 55, and great grandmother to more than 7! In the last interview, we talked about Michele's life as a young wife and mother. In this conversation, we talk more about being a parent of a large family and how she was able to do that successfully over the last 50+ years of marriage. Listen in and get some wisdom on discipline, relationships with teens, and managing a large household. You will hear that the struggles are real, but so are the joys and blessings of marriage and family life. https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting-live/ www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com Watch here: https://youtu.be/Zd_I6cwvcRM

Of course your children don't get along. They don't know how to get along! That's kind of what you are doing as parents, teaching them what they don't know - Mike and Alicia All of us struggle to live in a community. That is the human condition - we need other people but we also find it hard to live with them! This is true for children, but also for adults. In this episode, we answer some questions that our listeners had about what to do when your kids fight with your friends' kids, how to handle dividing up household responsibilities with your spouse, and what to do with adult children who are living at home. It's hard for kids to learn, but it's also hard for parents to know how to teach in a way that can be received. Listen into this conversation and take some time to discuss these important topics with your spouse. https://messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting-live/ www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com

"Healing is an essential dimension of Christinaity. It expresses the entire content of our redemption." ~ Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth Some of us think of healing as being "for other people", those with trauma, abuse, or mental illness. But that is not the way that Dr. Bob Schuchts sees healing. As you will hear, he believes that healing is part of the story of every Christian because we all have been damaged by our own fallen nature and we all live in a broken world! There is an anointing in our Church right now for healing ministries like this and we believe healing is essential for every parent so they can be who God is calling them to be in the lives of their children. We have been personally blessed by Dr. Bob's teaching and ministry through the John Paul II Healing Institute and we are very excited to share this interview with him. Listen in to this conversation about why we need healing, how to be healed, and the role that Christ wants to play in each of our journeys. https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/ https://jpiihealingcenter.org/

"Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate." ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer God did not create man in isolation, He created man to live in community with others. This is the best path for the full development of the human person! Men need other men to push them, support them, love them, and let them know they have what it takes. In this touching interview, Mike talks to John Doman, Alicia's dad, about his experience as a young Marine in Viet Nam and the events that set the course of his life. They cover John's marriage to Michele, his wife of 50 yrs, his struggle with PTSD after the war, and how the brothers God gave him throughout his life saved him again and again - physically and spiritually. Listen to this very important conversation about the importance of relationships and how God can use them to show us His love over and over again. Family Board Meeting - LIVE! : messyfamilyproject.org/course/family-board-meeting-live/ Watch here: https://youtu.be/FIT6s7szDlU

"This is a book about love; more exactly, it is about the love that knows no end, the love our hearts yearn for. The love that consumes, that reverberates, that heightens—it is a love that costs everything—yet offers everything. - Theresa and Peter Martin, The Rule When the young priest Fr. Karol Wojtyla was living in Poland, he wrote a "rule" for married couples, similar to the protocols that religious orders follow for their way of life. His suggestions were born out of his deep friendships with young married couples who he observed and who helped him see what married couples need to do to find true life within the married vocation. We heard about this book and were immediately intrigued, so we invited Theresa and Peter Martin to share with us more about their book, how it came to be, and about The Rule itself. In this podcast, we talk about the challenges of married life and how the Church can help us live a life of grace, the role of children in this quest of holiness, and what a life of prayer looks like in the home. Most importantly, we talk about community and how essential it is for families to support each other in their common life. Listen in and see how you can join in this movement of married couples living the Rule outlined by St. John Paul II. https://www.wojtylaci.com/ Watch here: https://youtu.be/QT9SqsDCxR8

"When an army retreats on the battlefield, it doesn't mean that they are giving up. It can mean that they are taking time to reassess and regroup so they can come back stronger. This is the essence of a Family Retreat." ~ Mike Hernon The concept of a family retreat is something that we have developed over the years for our own family. It grew out of our desire to regroup and reconnect with our kids outside of the daily chaos in our home. To do this, we have taken our children to vacation homes, retreat houses, and occasionally to a hotel, to take some time for family fun, team building activities, teaching and prayer. We don't use a set program, but we do have the same principles that we use over and over. In this podcast, we share these principles with you so you can develop your own retreat for your family. If you would like more than what is just offered on this podcast - check out our Family Retreat Guide found on our website! Even if you don't do a retreat this year, listen in so you can talk about it with your spouse and develop a strategic "retreat" for your family. Family Retreat Guide: messyfamilyproject.org/guides/ Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/A5pQ-qaJ9vY

We love hanging out with Chris and Natalie but in this interview, we found out something else we have in common. Both of us had honeymoons that were epic fails! Is the last time you got away, your honeymoon? Hear from all four of us as we talk about the first time that we got away as a married couple without our children and why we think it's so important. Parents have a lot resting on their shoulders. Work, the busyness of family life and the strains of our world need to be relieved by taking time to get away from ordinary life to be reminded of who we are and our first priorities. Getting away has a price but the return is unbelievable! Listen in as we chat with Chris and Natalie Stefanick about the first time that they got away, some crazy failures on our honeymoon and how you can make the most of the time when you go away. More infomation at catholiccouplesgetaway.com

"Christian marriage is the school of love, where despite the limits of our own love, we can discover Christ's presence and power to teach us to love one another with the Love that never fails" - Peter and Debbie Herbeck When we offer date nights, we try to pick topics that are fun for couples but also useful and thought-provoking. That's why we are so excited to share with you this interview we did on our June Date Night with Peter and Debbie Herbeck. They have been in ministry together most of their adult lives and are the authors of a book that expresses much of what we believe and teach on marriage: Lessons from the School of Love: Cultivating a Christ-centered Marriage. Listen in to this conversation and hear from this wise and authentic couple. When Peter and Debbie married, they had the challenge of coming from two different faith backgrounds, two different family dynamics, plus the challenge of two very different personalities! You will hear how they tackled forgiveness, learned to be vulnerable, how they handled the differing roles of father and mother, and most of all, how they helped their children encounter Christ. You will love listening in to this conversation! Lessons from the School of Love: Cultivating a Christ-centered Marriage: https://stpaulcenter.com/product/lessons-from-the-school-of-love-cultivating-a-christ-centered-marriage/ Join us for future Date Nights by getting on our mailing list here: messyfamilyproject.org

"Teaching is an essential part of our faith that reminds us that following Jesus Christ transforms every part of our lives, from our attitude toward money, to the choices we make at the doctor's office, to the way we build our families." ~ Nancy Bandzuch Parents are charged by God to be good stewards of their children and caring for children includes forming them in the faith and teaching them! This is especially important in our culture where there is widespread confusion about some of the most essential issues, in addition to issues where Catholics can disagree. Nancy Bandzuch has taken on this challenge to help parents discuss these issues with their children clearly in the book Catholic Social Teaching for Youth available through her ministry Catholic Sprouts. In this interview, we talk about why this task of the formation of children is so important, how to use this book for a variety of ages, and what is covered. Listen in to be empowered to embrace the task of forming your children in the truth. www.CatholicSprouts.com www.CatholicCouplesGetaway.com Watch here: https://youtu.be/zse3JrTzNuU

"Words of affirmation are simply true statements affirming the worth of another person" ~Gary Chapman Parents need to take time to consider how they are intentionally calling out the good in the lives of their children because it is within the family that people have their identity - who they are - confirmed and then affirmed over the years. This is just as essential to children as food, clothing, or education! One of the ways we have instilled affirmation in our family culture is the practice of "honoring". We usually do honorings on someone's birthday or times of transition like graduations. Listen to this podcast to find out how to start this practice in your home, why it is important, and the effect it can have on your family. For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/ Watch here: https://youtu.be/tHK1vP_SOXE

"Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of self-centred individualism… It is they who testify to the beauty of life". - Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia The life of a mother is hidden and powerful at the same time, but the message of our culture is that you only matter if you have a strong resume, evidence of your worth, and an education to back it up. This is simply not the way God sees the vocation of motherhood! In this interview with Christine Hanus, author of the book Everyday Heroism we discuss the reality that the "hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" even when we don't feel like it. This conversation is full of tears, laughter, and real stories about real moms who deal with the ups and downs of raising children. We hope that this podcast inspires all moms to be the best person they can be for their kids, but also for themselves. Embracing motherhood means embracing personal growth and holiness on a whole new level. Buy Christine's book here: https://amzn.to/3J5kcwN Getaway - Early bird ends 6/30 - catholiccouplesgetaway.com New and Improved Website - Check it out! - messyfamilyproject.org

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. " – Mark Twain All families need to play together. Why? Because this is how you lay the foundation for your child's belief in God, his self-esteem, and this is how you communicate to him, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you love him. In this podcast, we dive deeply into the importance of doing an intentional Family Fun Day and give some practical tips on how to do it so everyone wins. This month's Play and Pray Challenge is a great excuse to think about how you can grow closer as a family through play and fun! Play and Pray challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge Getaway - Early bird ends 6/30 - catholiccouplesgetaway.com MFP 091: King of the Home - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-91-king-of-the-home/ MFP 205: Nine First Fridays to Change the World - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-205-nine-first-fridays-to-change-the-world/

"Do a date night! It's cheaper than marriage counseling." This is an oldie but goodie podcast for you. We released this one way back in 2015 when we were just starting out but the content in it is something that even we need to be reminded of! When we have gotten into "slumps" in our marriage when we don't feel like we are connecting, working together, or in sync with each other, that is when we need to take a look at our date nights. Are we spending intentional time together? Are we having fun together? Are we making room in our lives for our spouse? Listen in to this podcast where you will get some inspiration to not just get out of the house, but to also make your time together effective and impactful for your relationship. Play and Pray challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge Website - www.messyfamilyproject.org Date Night Herbecks - 6/15 - www.messyfamilyproject.org/programs/date-nights/ Getaway - Early bird 6/30 - catholiccouplesgetaway.com Watch episode here: https://youtu.be/r6NACXjUaVs

"If all fathers fulfilled their duty of watching over the discipline of their children, we should have but few crimes and few executions." ~ St. Alphonsus Ligori If you haven't listened to MFP239 on the foundations of discipline, you should do that first. This podcast will give the practical steps for those principles. Once a parent has clear in their mind why they are discipling and they have made a plan on following through, they need to actually work that plan! In this podcast we give the practical things to keep in mind as you work to discipline, or form the hearts and minds of your children. There are six questions you should ask yourself when evaluating your child's actions. Not all behavior is a child acting out or defying you. How do you know the difference and how should you respond? Listen in! Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/ Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Watch here - https://youtu.be/vl0t6KbGJok

One thing that we at the Messy Family Project are passionate about is family culture. We call it "the secret weapon of the Catholic family" because it can be so powerful! In this interview, we talk to Elissa Tiprigan of Catholic Family Crate, a business that is in the business of Catholic culture. We talk about how and why she started her business, the importance of beauty in the home, and the elements of what it takes to bring a family together. This episode is full of great ideas of how to engage your children from toddlers to teenagers and bring them into closer relationship with you and with the Lord who is the source of life. As a special gift, we are also including this download on Building a Catholic Culture at Home that you can use to look at your family culture and get some ideas to strengthen it. In addition, Elissa gave all our listeners get 20% off sitewide by using the code MESSYFAMILY! And here is their website: Catholic Family Crate And a link to all their free resources: Free Downloads Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/RZdxVvyDGmw

To become a better parent, I need to become a better person ~ Mike and Alicia One of the subjects we are most often asked about is discipline. We know how hard it is to form the will, heart and mind of a child! Though every child is different and every parent is different, there are some principles that we can give you to help you make a discipline plan that works for you and your spouse. In this episode, we start with the foundational points.. First, we need to get our hearts right and recognize why we are taking the time to discipline in the first place. Then, parents need to speak with confidence, set clear boundaries, and do so keeping in mind that your role in affirming your child is essential. Listen in as we start this essential conversation. Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/ Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Watch here - https://youtu.be/vmEzF1MCvPE

"When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the "You-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be" maxim might be more accurate: You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are." ― Tom Rath, Strengths Finder Very often parents focus on improving the weaknesses in their children, but actually the opposite is more effective. The best way for any person to grow is to focus on their strengths - virtues, talents, or what they are naturally good at. Using those strengths builds confidence and actually can then make up for the weaknesses. Listen in as we discuss how to empower children through "strengths-based parenting". Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/ Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Watch here - https://youtu.be/TTV85m_tlp0

"You know that feeling you get after a good night's sleep? Yea, me neither." - Every Parent Ever If you feel like you are living in a state of almost constant exhaustion, you are not alone. It's not just the sleepless nights and crazy days - that's a reality that parents have always had to deal with. We believe parents are more exhausted today because there are certain elements of our culture that do drain our energy more than parents in the past experienced. In this podcast, we pinpoint those elements so you can see them, recognize them for what they are, and learn how to manage them. You do not have to be worn down all the time! Managing the stressors of parenting is possible and hopefully we can help you with these tips and tricks! Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/ Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/ Watch here - https://youtu.be/inI8NPgFzsg

"Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary." -St. Bonaventure One of the questions we ask parents as an icebreaker for our in-person events is "How many of your childrren have used rosaries as weapons?" This is a common experience of families with young children as parents try to pray. We get it. For a long time, we found it hard to encourage devotion to the rosary with our children, but we have grown and learned a lot over the years! As we launch into the month of May, we wanted all our listeners to take some time to reflect on why the Blessed Mother is so important to families. In this re-release of an earlier podcast, we talk about devotion to Our Lady, how to pray the rosary as a family creatively, and how she can inspire us in our family life. Listen in and be encouraged and inspired! Find all this and more at www.messyfamilyproject.org Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/

"Before we began the adoption process, before we could be the parents our children needed us to be, I had to grieve those losses. I had to offer my broken dreams to Jesus, and trust He would not permit me to carry the cross of infertility unless He could bring something beautiful out of it." - Emily Stimpson Chapman This interview with Emily and Chris Chapman is an amazing conversation about some deep and painful topics, but sprinkled with laughter and joy! Emily Stimpson Chapman is an accomplished author and Insta personality, but she is also a wife, mother, and friend to us! Through their own journey in the ups and downs of single life and then marriage, Chris and Emily have learned many lessons that they share with us in this podcast with wisdom and humor. It's amazing to hear how you can go from living alone, to living with a husband, to living with 3 babies in a very short amount of time. Add to that a basement flooding with sewage, ailing parents, and adjusting to family life overall makes for some interesting conversations! Join us for this visit with the Chapmans and be encouraged on your unique journey with the Lord. Find all this and more at www.messyfamilyproject.org Watch here - https://youtu.be/QBesLrHJ4vw

"How can there be too many children? That's like saying there are too many flowers." - St. Theresa of Calcutta There is great confusion in our world, even among good Catholics, about the purpose of marriage and even the purpose of having children. Catholics do not "discern having another child". Instead, our default is that we are always open to new life in our families, but in grave circumstances, we can postpone pregnancy for the overall good of our family. In this episode, we discuss how we can form our conscience to come to a deeper understanding of the role of children in our marriage that includes, but also goes beyond, financial considerations. Discerning this area of marriage can be tricky, so we called a lifeline for this one, and invited Jonathan and Amanda Texiera, founders of WalletWin, to come on and help us to navigate this issue and give couples good questions to discuss with each other and options to consider. Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/x_vnTYkxO9Y For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/