Did you know that new fathers often face emotional hurdles that go unspoken? We explore the profound feelings of isolation, loss of control, and resentment many men encounter but rarely discuss. Kurt and Kristen Luidhardt, a powerhouse couple who have founded twelve companies and profitably exited three, join us to share their remarkable journey from business partners to parents. Hear the moving story of how Kurt’s father's passing catalyzed their decision to expand their family, leading to the births of their daughter and son. From dealing with the heartbreak of an unsuccessful first pregnancy to managing multiple business ventures, the Luidhardts offer a raw and honest look into their lives.

Kurt opens up about his experience with male postpartum depression (also known as paternal postnatal depression) particularly after the birth of their second child, and how societal expectations often leave fathers feeling neglected. Kristen adds her perspective on the importance of strong communication and the role of faith in overcoming such personal struggles. Learn how they managed to find balance and prioritize family time amidst their entrepreneurial hustle.

Parenting is no walk in the park, and the Luidhardts emphasize the importance of faith, intentionality, and teamwork. They share insights into this new passion project — bringing to light the reality of what fathers go through when having children — paternal postnatal depression. The Luidhardts have hearts of gold and feel like if sharing their experience can help others, they are grateful to be able to serve.

The Luidhardts can be found at libertyspenders.com.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

What if you could transform your approach to discipline and foster a sense of belonging and significance in children? We have an enlightening conversation lined up for you with Chip DeLorenzo, a seasoned Montessori educator and co-author of "Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom." Chip shares his personal journey from struggling with traditional classroom management techniques to embracing positive discipline, a method that marries kindness with firmness. This episode is packed with practical insights for both parents and teachers who aim to cultivate good character and social skills in children through respectful and effective discipline strategies.

Join us as we delve into the roots of children's misbehavior and the pivotal role that effective discipline plays in their development. Learn how to reframe misbehavior as a learning opportunity rather than a personal affront, maintaining the dignity and respect of both children and adults. Chip and our host explore the nuanced balance between being kind yet firm, highlighting the significance of modeling positive behavior and the value of motivational curiosity questions. These tactics not only foster cooperation but also encourage self-motivation and resilience in children.

Discover how understanding children's perspectives can revolutionize your parenting or teaching approach. Chip discusses the impact of different parenting styles and the importance of having a prepared strategy for managing frustrations. We also explore the cultural shifts from authoritarian to permissive parenting, and how finding a balanced approach is crucial. Tune in to learn how parents can operate as a united front, modeling constructive discipline and repair, and ultimately elevating their authority and respect. This episode promises to be a transformative guide for anyone committed to nurturing well-rounded, self-regulated children.

For more on Positive Discipline, visit www.positivediscipline.com

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Navigating the turbulent waters of pediatric health, this episode features Dr. Brittany Todd, Clinical Pharmacist and seasoned captain of motherhood, who shares her treasure map for managing sick children. With Brittany's expert guidance, you'll grasp the finer points of fever-fighting, master the art of medication dosing, and learn how to stay anchored through the stormiest of nights. Her innovative dosing guide is the lifeline every parent needs to deliver accurate care while preserving their sanity.

When the clock strikes midnight and your little one's fever spikes, Brittany's insights are the beacon of light that will guide you through. Her practical strategies, including a meticulously crafted dosing guide and a medication log, empower parents to confidently administer remedies like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. This episode will equip you with the knowledge to accurately convert weights, calculate doses, and alternate medications, ensuring your child's ship sails smoothly through illness.

As we set sail from our enlightening conversation, Brittany, from Sacred Heart CPS, leaves us inspired by her dedication to demystifying medication dosing for caregivers. Her passion for helping others is woven into every aspect of her work, offering solace and support to families navigating the choppy seas of parenting. Brittany loves helping adults who are questioning whether they are on the right medications, are having side effects from their meds or just want to find some less expensive meds that are equally effective. Visit her website to book a consultation.

Grab a copy of her dosing guide and pair it with your infant and children's pain meds, a thermometer and some hand sani and you'll be set for the next round of illness! Grab a few extra for the next Baby Shower, to give to Grandma and Grandpa and an extra for your car, too!

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Tired of hearing airy & abstract references to your "mindset"? We get it! The last thing you feel like you can hear when you're in the thick of parenting is "You just need to work on your mindset." What even IS mindset? And how can you practically "work on" it? Andy Hickman returns to the Families of Character show to do a deep-dive with Jordan. In this episode, you will learn exactly what mindset is & how to practice it. In addition to feeling clear & confident about developing your own mindset, you'll learn an easy and super positive way to empower your children to develop the health of their own mindset.

Exclusive offer for Families of Character listeners: Andy is offering a 60% discount on his private 2hr Discovery Sessions for the first three people who use this link! Do a deep dive into your own stories and experience healing and clarity around your past. This is a rare opportunity to work directly, 1-1 with the founder of hēl, Andy Hickman. This offer is strictly limited to the first three people who sign up.

What others are saying: "I feel so much awe. This feels like a conclusion to a long saga. Everything is okay. It's under control. I have so much peace. I don't have to be weighed down by all this stuff. This is a revelation."

"I was able to process feelings about things that were deeper than I even knew."

"This was an incredible experience for me. I've discussed a lot of painful moments with spiritual directors, counselors, & mentors over the years, but this was something different. I hadn't realized how much I (and how easy it is to) 'skip over' these memories, thinking it was addressed and healed. I really appreciated how gentle and intentional this experience was for me and how you led us through it. I never felt forced to dive deeper, but you constantly were offering to go deeper, and I really appreciated that balance. I experienced the love of God and His soft voice reminding me He has always been there for me, and especially in these memories."

Schedule your discovery session using this promo link to get 60% off: https://art-of-workflow.ck.page/products/discovery-session?promo=FOC (limited to the first three people).

For more information about Andy Hickman and the hēl community, check out their

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Have you ever felt like your family’s day-to-day functioning could be smoother, more efficient, and connected? Maybe you're frustrated because you or your child keeps making decisions without considering the outcome, blurts out, or has difficulty with planning, prioritizing, and time management. Just because you or your child struggle in these areas, doesn't indicate a surefire diagnosis of ADD or ADHD.

In this episode, Carrie Schmitt, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, joins us to share how a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, just being an adolescent, being in a situation that is emotionally charged, or your cup being "too full" each contribute to a decreased ability to perform executive function skills when needed. Carrie helps by offering practical tips for improving executive function skills - which help with those frustrations and are essential for all ages.

Carrie suggests parents increase their own self-awareness with the free 'Smart but Scattered' assessment, to identify their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to Executive Functioning. Once a parent has completed the assessment, it's great to assess kids too!

Carrie talks about how a simple formula for training kids to improve in organizational skills, time management, decision making, impulse control, and managing emotions is the "I do, We do, You do" approach. She explains how "MAR" can assist kids in improving their executive functioning (Modify - changing their environment, Accommodations - extra time on tests, tools to bridge gaps in skills, Remediate - reteach the skill from the beginning or seek Occupational Therapy Services).

To learn about games and assistive products you can use in your home or school classroom to help kids bolster their Executive Function skills, visit Carrie's website!

Carrie and her husband Tim are proud supporters of Families of Character and give on a monthly basis! Donate here to join them in their effort to get more FREE resources in the hands of parents!

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Ever wondered why "sharing is caring" might be a concept misunderstood by our little ones?

Ever wondered what the outcome may be of insisting your little one share their beloved toys before they're ready?

Pauline Meert, co-founder of Sophia Montessori Academy and an accredited Montessori teacher, returns to our show to unravel the complexities behind teaching kids to share. With heartwarming anecdotes and breakthrough strategies, Pauline guides us through fostering a family atmosphere where love triumphs over transactions, particularly for children under six. Her approach challenges the status quo, as she offers a refreshing Montessori perspective on nurturing adult virtues within our young ones.

Striking the right chord as a parent often means walking a tightrope between praising our children and fostering their independence. Pauline illustrates this balance by sharing strategies for helping kids set their own boundaries, especially among siblings with age differences. The episode is rich with practical tips on using specific phrases that empower children to articulate their needs, as well as the pivotal role of grace and courtesy lessons. These nuggets of wisdom not only aid in social development but contribute to a harmonious home, especially in the context of family huddles that reinforce clear communication.

Check out Episode #50 The 4 Planes of Development and Episode #58 Simple Four Step Lessons That will Decrease Frustrations with your Child

You can learn more about Sophia Montessori Academy here! Send an email to: info@sophiamontessori.com

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Navigating the silent struggles and triumphs of fatherhood and husbandry can feel like an odyssey, yet these tales rarely take center stage. That changes today, as we pull back the curtain to honor the steadfast men in our lives. Jordan M. Montgomery's reflections on leadership costs set the stage for a candid conversation about the complexities these roles entail. From the tough calls that keep the family unit afloat to the inevitable misunderstandings that come with the territory, we're acknowledging the unspoken burdens shouldered by fathers and husbands everywhere.

Taken from @jordanmmontgomery's instagram reel about leadership:
"There are 3 costs to leading well"
1. You will have to make hard decisions that will negatively affect those you care about.
2. You will be disliked despite your best attempts to do the best for the most.
3. You will be misunderstood and you won't always have the opportunity to defend yourself.

In this episode, I bring to light how leadership roles in marriage tend to shift, little by little, once kids enter the picture. Most couples don't even realize it's happening until mom is burnt out and resentful and dad is feeling the pain of getting benched (sidelined).

This episode is a call to action for wives to acknowledge their husbands for the silent struggles they take on every day, to lead the family and for couples to recognize if they are in need of a shift back to the right order of relationship which bonded them so beautifully when they first met.

Let's pledge to recognize and bolster the leadership of husbands with daily gestures of gratitude, a practice that strengthens not just their resolve but the entire family dynamic. Gender roles and traditional dynamics may seem "old school", but the complementarity can't be contested when we glance back to our beginnings together.

Join us in this exploration of leadership, love, and the quiet heroes of the home, as we continue to engage with and empower every member of the family in our ongoing conversations.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

What used to be sliced oranges served to kids after a rigorous game has turned into a goody bag full of sugary snacks that kids are fighting over! There's a better alternative!

Our guest, Katie Kimball, brings her expertise to the table in our enlightening discussion on the current culture of sports snacks for kids. As a seasoned advocate for real food education through her KidsCookRealFood.com business, Katie unpacks the frustrations many parents share over the sugary treats dominating children's sports. We examine the myths surrounding young athletes' supposed need for these snacks and consider the broader implications for our kids' understanding of nutrition and health.

The snack situation in children's sports is more than just a debate over food choices—it's a reflection of what we value in youth activities. Through anecdotes like that of a nine-year-old more concerned about the goody bag than the game, we uncover the misplaced priorities that treats can bring to team sports. Our conversation ventures into the potential advantages of ditching the standard snack roster altogether, from simplifying life for parents to instilling a sense of sportsmanship and specialness to celebrations in young players. Katie and I share insights on how presenting healthier options not only enhances athletic performance but also fosters an all-inclusive environment for kids with varying dietary needs.

Wrapping up our chat, we shift gears to the empowering steps families can take to promote a balanced relationship with food. From leveraging screen time for educational cooking lessons to setting family food rules, we provide practical tips for parents to navigate the snack-laden landscapes of sports and everyday life. Our dialogue extends an invitation to families to join a community that values wholesome nutrition, and we celebrate the positive changes that come with informed food choices. So tune in, get inspired, and let's score some real food wins for our kids together.

Check out their FREE KID'S ONLINE SUMMER CAMP where kids learn LIFE SKILLS from the comfort of their own home!

Want to teach your kids the basics in the kitchen? Check out the free KNIFE SKILLS CLASS!

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the Show.

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.

Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!