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Did you know that 1 out of every 3 Americans is either a step-child, a step-parent, or has some other form of a blended family?   As blended families become more and more common, it's even more important to be intentional to set the family culture of your blended family.   On this episode, I'm chatting with Cameron Normand, host of The Step-Mom Diaries podcast and founder of thiscustomlife.com. She's a professional powerhouse of a woman who married the love of her life and, overnight, became a step-mom to 4 kids, one of whom has special needs.   Cameron shares her story, her struggles, her journey, and some super helpful tips to thrive as a step-parent (or support the blended families in your life).   Key Takeaways:    + Shaping your blended family culture + What not to say to a step-parent + Prioritizing your marriage in a blended family + Connecting with your step-kids + What step-parents need to hear   Find more great resources from Cameron at https://thiscustomlife.com   Thanks for tuning in to this episode! Would you take a minute to SUBSCRIBE, rate and review it?    Come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or visit https://favoritefamilies.com for simple strategies for a happy family.

Do you love yourself? Like really, truly accept yourself for who you are right here, right now?   There's a lot more to loving yourself than bubble baths and spa days. In fact, it goes a lot deeper and most of us struggle with it in various ways.   Laura Dudek definitely did. On this episode, she shares her story of insecurity, fear of judgment, and her powerful journey of discovering a deep sense of love and acceptance through Jesus.   Key Takeaways:   + A story of self-hate redeemed + Self-care vs. Self-love + The real reason women judge each other + Identity, repentance, and healing + Learning to trust God again + Small steps to loving yourself well Laura Dudek is the founder of Ruah + Ember, a women's ministry based in Cleveland, Ohio and author of bible studies such as Scars of Grace, Draw the Line, Hello Love, and Written. Laura holds a Master of Divinity degree, concentrating in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University.  Laura is passionate about raising up wholehearted female leaders for Christ.  She presently resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, Joshua. Links mentioned in this episode:  26 Identity Statements from God's Word Hello Love Experience with Laura Dudek Thanks for tuning in! Please take a minute to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! You can connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or on my website: https://favoritefamilies.com! 

Just because you weren't raised in a healthy family environment doesn't mean you're doomed to repeat those cycles of dysfunction. In fact, your own experience could be what inspires you to give your kids a different one.  On this episode, I'm interviewing Alyssa Falkenstein about her journey of going from abuse, neglect and self-harm to creating a family culture marked by love, truth, and joy. No matter what type of family culture you were raised in, you have the power to create something new. Key Takeaways: + Overcoming obstacles to a healthy family culture + Breaking the cycle of dysfunction + Finding mentors and building community + Mental health and motherhood   Thanks for tuning in to this episode! Be sure to check out Alyssa's website: https://hammerandbee.com   If you enjoyed this episode, would you take a minute to SUBSCRIBE, rate and review it?    Also, be sure to connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or find more great resources at https://favoritefamilies.com!  

Ahhhh, sweet vacation. Relaxing on the beach with your feet kicked up and an icy cold drink in your hand. Not a care in the world. But wait, you have kids. It’s more like, AHHHHH!!!!!….vacation. Or as I like to describe it… “moving your chaos to a new location with fewer resources.” Okay, so while vacationing with kids may never be *quite* as relaxing as without them, it can be every bit as enjoyable and MORESO. On this episode I'm sharing 10 sanity-saving tips to truly enjoy traveling with kids, no matter what goes wrong along the way. Key Takeaways: + The #1 thing to avoid when traveling with kids + How to create margins + To routine or not to routine + How to make lasting memories + Finding joy no matter what happens   Thanks for tuning in to today's episode! If you enjoyed it, would you take a minute to SUBSCRIBE? There are lots of great episodes coming your way and I wouldn't want you to miss a thing!   Come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or find simple strategies for a happy family at https://favoritefamilies.com!

June is here and summer is ALMOST officially here as well, so it’s the perfect time to plan your summer!   As I’ve been thinking about what I want this summer to look like, though, I’m taking a different approach than what I normally would.   Instead of planning everything I think we should DO, I’m asking myself…who do I want to BE this summer? What do I want this summer to FEEL like...to be marked by? And who do I want to work on becoming?   So before you get sucked down the rabbit hole of summer activities, take a few minutes to listen to this episode and set your intentions and priorities for this summer first. I promise you'll be glad you did.   Key Discussion Points: + Setting your intention for summer + 5 questions to guide your summer planning + Focusing on being over doing + The secret to a peace-filled summer   Thanks for tuning in to the Family Culture podcast! I'd love for you to take a quick minute to SUBSCRIBE, rate and review it. Your feedback means so much to me!   Also, come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies and visit my website: http://favoritefamilies.com for simple strategies for a happy family.    Have a great, peace-filled summer!

There's a huge difference between making your marriage work and truly working on your marriage.   Today's episode is all about the 4 core elements of a healthy marriage. These are the 4 things that my husband and I have come back to over and over again to build and sharpen our marriage through each new season that comes. And they have made all the difference.   Whether you're newly married and looking for some great tools for your marriage, you have kids and your marriage has been on the back burner, or your marriage has been struggling in some area and you need a fresh dose of connection, this episode will help you know where to focus.   Plus, I talk about the Same Team Marriage Challenge and how you join me!   Key Discussion points: + Getting clear on your marriage “Why” + The 4 elements of a healthy marriage + What to do when you feel stuck + A fun challenge to boost your marriage    Thanks for tuning in today! Be sure to join me in May for the Same Team Marriage Challenge! If you have any questions or want to request one of the scholarship spots, please DM me on Instagram @favoritefamilies and let's chat! Have a great week!

Do you have dreams? Promises in your life that have yet to be fulfilled? Deep desires to be part of something bigger or to somehow make a difference in the world?   The more I have come to understand how God works, the more I have discovered that life isn’t about building up to some culminating point of perfection. It's about seasons.   But how do you embrace the season you're in...especially when it's hard or it feels like things are on hold?   On this episode I'm talking about how to know your season, embrace your season, and grow through it.   Key Discussion Points: +Finding the treasure in your season +Avoiding season envy +Forgetting lists and focusing on growth +Finding your calling in each season +Leaning into brokenness   Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, then be sure to download your free guide to embracing the season you're in, including a cheatsheet for when you're feeling stuck. Also, come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or check out https://favoritefamilies.com for simple strategies for a happy family.

Between working from home, keeping everyone fed, and trying to prevent my house from looking like a tornado hit it every day (still happens most days), entertaining my kids on top of all that usually feels impossible.   But guess what?   Did you know that one of the most important and effective ways to raise creative kids is simply letting them play on their own?    On this episode, I’m sharing 12 Tips for Getting Your Kids to Play on Their Own.   Key Takeaways: What to expect for their age How personality affects independent play Providing ideas vs. providing activities Choosing the right toys Organizing toys to encourage imagination Getting a reluctant child to start playing independently Thanks for listening! Be sure to grab your free set of Imaginative Play Printables!  Also, if you enjoyed this episode, would you take a minute to SUBSCRIBE, rate and review it? I love to know when an episode has helped you!  

Stories are the language of humanity   And the stories we tell our kids shape what they believe about themselves, about God, about others, and about the world.   Story-telling plays such an important role in shaping the culture of your family, but what stories do you need to share and how do you do it in a natural way?   That's exactly what I'm sharing on this episode: 3 Stories Your Kids Need to Hear From You.   Key Takeaways: + Stories are the language of humanity + Kids learn through stories + Stories shape our thoughts & beliefs + Stories provide history, identity & legacy + Your family needs to hear your story   Thanks for tuning in to this episode! Be sure to grab your free copy of the Shape Your Family Values Guide! Did you enjoy this episode? Please take a minute to SUBSCRIBE to the Family Culture Podcast, rate and review it! It means the world to me. Also, come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or find more simple strategies for a happy family at www.favoritefamilies.com

Do you struggle with anger as a mom? If so, you are not alone. It’s actually one of the things I have heard most from moms this year and I've been working through it too!   But how do you deal with your anger in a healthy way when it just seems to sneak up on you in the most inopportune moments?   If you’re wondering how to handle the anger and frustration you’re experiencing without taking it out on your kids, your spouse, and yourself, this episode is a must-listen.   I’m interviewing my good friend, Jess Beard. She’s a life-consultant, a wife, and a mom of 5 who has worked through a lot on her journey to be a more peace-filled mom and I can’t wait for you to hear all about it in this candid conversation between two moms.   Key Takeaways: + Understanding the root of mom anger + 3 questions to ask yourself + Comparison vs. Community  + Re-parenting your heart + The best gift for your child’s future   Thanks for tuning in to this special episode! You can find Jess and take advantage of her special offer for my listeners (just mention my name) here: https://www.jessbeardconsulting.com   You can also find Jess on Instagram @jessbeardconsulting!   Come connect with me on Instagram too @favoritefamilies and find more simple strategies for a happy family at www.favoritefamilies.com!

Isn’t it crazy how, even as young kids, we start to feel embarrassed about our bodies and begin to hide or want to change them?   Thankfully, in recent years, there’s been a huge push for body positivity and representing beauty in many forms in the media.   And yet, despite all the positive messaging, so many of us find ourselves saying, “Wow, that’s so good. They’re so brave." And yet we still look at ourselves in the mirror and say…"Yeah, but…that doesn’t apply to me.”   And if we’re feeling like that, how do we raise kids who truly love their bodies?   On this episode I’m sharing 3 Keys to Raising Body-Positive Kids…whether or not you love your own body.   Key Topics Discussed: + The difference between body positivity and loving your body + Raising body-positive kids when you struggle to like your own body + How to compliment your kids the right way + What food has to do with it + Breaking the cycle of shame   Thanks for tuning in! You can grab your free copy of 26 Positive Affirmations from Scripture HERE!   I'd love for you to connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies or find more resources at http://www.favoritefamilies.com. 

Yes, Teenagers. One of the scariest words in the English dictionary.   When I was doing middle-school counseling and serving as the youth leader for 7th-12th graders at my local church, this is the sentiment I picked up from most people I spoke with.   But here's what I learned from working with teens and hearing from their perspective about family dynamics: They are not that different from us. They’re not impossible to understand. And most importantly of all, deep down they DO want to connect with you…their parent. They actually desperately crave your love, support and acceptance….even when it doesn’t seem like it.   On this episode, I’m sharing a few simple keys to help unlock the perceived complexity of these tumultuous years and pave the way for a healthy, life-giving relationship with your teenager.   Key Discussion Points: Understand their developmental stage Focus on the primary goal Use the listening formula Balance warmth and boundaries Give yourself grace to learn as you go Love them through it Thanks for tuning in to this episode!  Resources mentioned: Shape Your Family Values Guide 25 Connecting Questions to Get Your Teen Talking Parent's Guide to Teen Depression Come connect with me on Instagram @favoritefamilies and find more resources at www.favoritefamilies.com!