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Ever wondered how to balance the chaos of family life with intentional parenting? Join me as I chat with my dear friend Alissa Lovett, a devoted wife, mother, and business owner, who shares her journey of raising children through various stages. Alissa and I dive into the heart of parenting, discussing the pivotal training stage (ages 5 to 12) and the transition into the coaching stage. We emphasize the importance of family time, mentorship, and growing together, offering valuable insights into young parenthood and the significance of being intentional in both parenting and marriage.

Navigating the emotional landscape of growing children can be challenging. Alissa and I explore how to build strong relationships with our children by creating a safe space for them to express their feelings. We highlight the crucial role parents play in modeling emotional intelligence, turning difficult moments into opportunities for connection and growth. Alissa shares personal stories about the balance of nurturing both strength and vulnerability, especially in raising emotionally healthy boys, showing how patience and understanding can transform an angry outburst into a bonding experience.

Alissa and I recount her family's transformative journey traveling across 49 states in an RV. This unique experience taught her invaluable lessons in flexibility, gratitude, and family unity. We also discuss the power of family traditions and the importance of shared mealtime, offering practical tips on managing family dinners amidst busy schedules. From limiting screen time to encourage sibling bonding to simple acts of investing in marriage, this episode is packed with wisdom on creating a nurturing and intentional home environment. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of intentionality in parenting, marriage, and family life.

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Have you ever found yourself missing out on life's precious moments because you were glued to your phone? In this compelling episode of A Heart that Beats for Home, we welcome Joey Odom, co-founder of Aro, who shares a deeply personal story about missing his son's first soccer goal due to phone distraction. Together, we examine the profound impact that technology has on family dynamics and the urgent need to be present in our children's lives. Joey's journey from that pivotal moment to co-founding Aro offers valuable lessons for all of us struggling to balance technology use with meaningful family interactions.

We also delve into the critical role parents play in modeling healthy phone habits for their children. Joey and I discuss the irony of parents' frustrations when their children mirror their own poor phone behaviors. The conversation highlights the importance of self-awareness and personal responsibility in setting a positive example. Joey introduces Aro, an innovative platform designed to help families manage their phone use more mindfully. With practical insights and relatable stories, we emphasize the importance of creating new habits to reclaim control over our technology use without inducing guilt.

In our discussion, we emphasize the transformative potential of reshaping our phone habits on relationships with our spouses, teenagers, and ourselves. By prioritizing relationships over screen time, we can foster genuine interactions and build stronger family bonds. Joey shares actionable steps like setting "sacred times" and "sacred places" to eliminate technology distractions and enhance family connections. The episode concludes with a powerful message: adopting a "stop at nothing" mindset to persevere through challenges and make meaningful changes in our family dynamics. Listen in for an episode filled with heartfelt insights and practical advice that could change the way you and your family interact with technology.

Follow Joey and the Aro family on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/goaronow?igsh=Y2thZGg5b3U2YmJ0

Aro Blog: https://www.goaro.com/aro-the-blog

Aro Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aro-podcast/id1665937884

Get your Aro Box here:
https://www.goaro.com/membership

Starting in August you can access the benefits of Aro from the App alone. Stay tuned for more details.

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Discover the art of igniting an entrepreneurial fire in our children with Erica McMullen, a seasoned entrepreneur and mother. Amidst a culture of abundance, we examine how to instill a work ethic in our kids and dismantle the myth that today's generation lacks drive. Erica shares her journey as the daughter of a business owner and her resolve to sow seeds of industriousness in her children, providing them the tools to dream big and chart their own paths to success.

Venture into the world of pint-sized CEOs as we recount the awe-inspiring moments from a children's marketplace event. These young minds, with their uncanny grasp of ROI and marketing strategies, turned everyday interests into profitable ventures, demonstrating the profound impact of nurturing business savvy from a tender age. From selling homemade crafts to organic dog treats, these stories are not just about profit margins but also about instilling life skills, building confidence, and sparking the joy of turning ideas into tangible realities.

In closing, we look at the broader horizon of how to foster communication skills and entrepreneurial thinking in our kids.

Erica and I also trade our favorite parenting hacks and the humor we find in the everyday adventures of family life, offering a glimpse into the heartfelt process of parenting empowered, creative individuals. Join us for laughs, lessons, and a look at how we can equip our children for a world where the only constant is change.

You can follow Erica and Young Entrepreneurs at: https://www.instagram.com/young_entrepreneurs_mm?igsh=d3M3dXI4YTQ4aTVi

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What if balancing a career, family, and personal growth wasn't just a juggling act but a transformative journey? Join us on "A Heart That Beats for Home" as we hear from Nyisha Chu, a dedicated homeschool mom who shares her candid reflections on embracing motherhood and marriage.

Flexibility and grace prove to be important in parenting, especially when shifting from a structured corporate mindset to a nurturing homeschooling environment. Through heartfelt stories, Nyisha emphasizes the importance of understanding our children's unique learning styles and the profound connections formed by spending meaningful time together. Whether it's bedtime reading or simplifying play environments, these moments foster deep family bonds and enrich our lives beyond measure.

Balancing work and family often feels like a daunting task, but our discussion sheds light on the significance of supportive partnerships and the value of seeking help when needed. We share practical advice on managing household responsibilities and navigating the emotional journey of prioritizing family over career aspirations. Nyisha's resilience and dedication are an encouragement for parents striving to cultivate strong, authentic family relationships amidst the chaos and laughter of daily life. Tune in for a genuine, heartfelt conversation that celebrates motherhood's rewarding and challenging aspects.

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This episode of A Heart that Beats for Home promises to equip you with heartfelt strategies for nurturing a strong family dynamic. We’re thrilled to have Lauren Bryant, a mother of five and experienced homeschooler, sharing her journey and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way. From heartwarming family anecdotes, like their soulful Bible song sessions in Hawaii, to actionable strategies for balancing quality time with kids, Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to our conversation.

This episode delves into practical tips to make every moment count, showing how even car rides can become opportunities for meaningful connections. We also explore their inspiring story of missionary work in Hawaii, highlighting how authentic faith and intentional parenting can transform family life. Through these stories, we reflect on the power of intentionality and the importance of heart-to-heart connections, no matter how brief they may be.

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting? This episode offers a treasure trove of encouragement and practical advice, emphasizing humility, consistency, and the willingness to learn from our mistakes. We discuss strategies for managing technology use and fostering strong sibling relationships, creating a nurturing environment that defies cultural norms. Finally, we underscore the importance of investing time wisely and applying the lessons learned to your own family life, urging listeners to cultivate a home filled with peace, joy, and mutual support. Join us for a raw, inspiring, and deeply enriching conversation about the essence of strong family bonds.

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Join us as we embark on our summer series on parenting with Jody, a licensed therapist and dear friend. We tackle the often overwhelming shift into summer schedules, discussing how to turn the chaos of changing routines and increased family time into a harmonious balance of structure and spontaneity. Jody shares her expert advice on preparing for these transitions, creating supportive routines, and embracing the adventurous spirit of summer days.

Jody dives deep into emotional regulation, teaching us how to recognize, name, and understand our feelings to manage them better. We learn how not to label emotions as 'good' or 'bad' and gain practical strategies for dealing with uncomfortable emotions. By demonstrating emotional regulation ourselves, we can create a healthier emotional environment for our children, guiding them through their own emotional challenges with compassion and insight.

Parenting teenagers comes with its own set of unique challenges, and Jody provides invaluable tips on effective communication and setting boundaries while maintaining a loving relationship. From managing children's anger to overcoming mom guilt and shame, we explore strategies to foster emotional strength and understanding within our families. Tune in for a rich conversation filled with expert guidance and practical tips to help you navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.

You can find Jody @missjs81 on instagram or at her blog at https://jodyhassomethingtosay.blogspot.com/

Book Recommendation:

Raising Emotinal Strong Boys by David Thomas
https://amzn.to/3z0oi7c

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In our summer kickoff episode, we dive into the heart of parenting. We'll discuss the crucial role of having a clear destination and trusting God's plan over our personal understanding. Hear about the balance between striving for excellence in parenting and recognizing the value of a basis of faith and intentional relationship-building.

We will get practical as we break down the four stages of parenting from the book "Parenting: Getting It Right.": discipline, training, coaching, and friendship. We are excited for a summer filled with genuine, raw conversations aimed at strengthening our parenting tool box.

Parenting - Getting It Right by Andy & Sandra Stanley:
https://amzn.to/4ca7wB4

Reflection questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I know what our "North Star" is for our parenting goals?
2. In which area of your parenting do you wish you were more God-honoring?
3. Looking ahead to the friendship years, is there anything I need to change now to build a relationship that my children will choose to invest in even when they don't have to?

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As the sun lingers in the sky a little longer each day, I'm reminded of just how swiftly time with our children slips through our fingers. This episode is an invitation to a summer of intentional parenting; a season to bolster family bonds and savor each moment. I'll be bringing you fresh conversations with incredible women and family members who'll provide a wellspring of insight and encouragement.

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