Video

“Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of self-centered 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

#parenting

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“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 seven 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/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

#parenting

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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.  
#parenting

Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/

Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/    

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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“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”.
#parenting

Play and Pray Challenge - www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/
Catholic Couples Getaway - www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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“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!
“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”.
#parenting

Play and Pray Challenge - https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/
Catholic Couples Getaway - https://www.catholiccouplesgetaway.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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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.
“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”.
#parenting

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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“Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do than what we know about parenting.” - Brene Brown

The emotions of young people can be overwhelming to us, but we have to realize that they are overwhelming to them as well! How can parents help children to regulate their emotions in a healthy way? Not every emotion needs discipline, sometimes kids need understanding and empathy to assist them in learning how to move through their own feelings. In this podcast, we give some practical steps for parents to help their child to recognize, express, and get in control of their strong emotions. This is an issue that can be tough for parents, especially if they have never learned this skill themselves, but it is essential for the well-being of every child.
#parenting

Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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“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.
#marriage #parenting

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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Listener questions are back! We had a wonderful time visiting with listeners all over the East Coast and as we traveled we collected questions from them. Here are a few of those questions including how to emotionally handle the mess and chaos that inevitably comes with young children, getting kids to behave at mass, and family of origin issues. We also talk about bringing the Montessori philosophy into how you view your children and the importance of living with purpose. Listen in to our conversation with Katie who asks us these questions from the perspective of “every parent” who deals with these issues on a daily basis.

Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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Educating children is one of the most important and daunting tasks parents must face. For some parents who have good resources at their disposal, the choice may be easy. For other parents, the choice is agonizing - charter school, Catholic school, homeschool, or public school…. What is the best thing for my child at this time? But the needs of your child are not the only thing that you need to consider. In this episode, Mike and Alicia give parents a framework for the conversation they need to have with their spouse on educational choices for their children. There is not only one answer! Listen in to this reboot of a classic conversation on marriage and parenting.

Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90

Family Board Meeting Course - https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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Raising teens is an art, not a science. It takes finesse, subtleties, and nuances to get it right. Children are pushing back and trying to become independent adults while they are still not yet ready for the responsibilities of adulthood. How do you slowly give them more freedom while making sure you don’t give them TOO much? In this episode, we interview Bill and Tanis Merimee, parents of 9 children and founders of the ministry Marriages of Grace. Bill and Tanis have a unique perspective also because they are both musicians and have children who are particularly artistic. Teens who are artistic have special challenges and needs because they have a great gift to give the world - their art! How can parents nurture this artistic temperament while avoiding the pitfalls that can come with the godless culture that is growing in the art world. Listen in and join the conversation!

"Children have not been given to parents as a present, but as a trust for which, if lost through their negligence, they must render an account to God." ~ St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90

Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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All girls have a certain pattern of physical development that will change them into women, but these changes need to be guided, nurtured, and shaped by loving parents. The genius of womanhood is a great gift to the world and parents are the ones who help a girl realize this gift. We did this podcast to help all parents encourage the feminine qualities within their daughters. Not stereotypes, but honest, strong, and true womanhood. Listen in as we give some insights, inspiration, and practical advice.

“When she’s in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her, she gains confidence. If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughter’s life, you would be terrified, overwhelmed, or both.” ― Dr. Meg Meeker

Read more on masculinity and femininity - https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk

Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90

Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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In today’s world we cannot assume that all boys will grow up to be masculine men. But this is the task of every parent of a boy! Parents need to recognize that boys need to be guided on the road to manhood. It doesn’t just happen all by itself. To give this guidance well, parents need to first realize that boys and girls have been created with different gifts. Though a truly balanced man finds within himself both masculine and feminine qualities, parents need to start with encouraging a boy’s strengths, his masculine qualities. Listen into this conversation as we discuss how parents can take an active role in encouraging masculinity in their sons.

Manhood isn’t something that simply happens to boys as they get older. It’s an achievement – something a boy accomplishes, something that can easily go awry. If we ignore the importance of this transition, and fail in our duty as parents to guide boys through it, then we will learn the hard way why traditional cultures invest this transition with so much importance. - Dr Leonard Sax

Read more on masculinity and femininity -https://messyfamilyproject.org/resources/gender-differences-taking-the-risk

Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90

Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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For some reason, dealing with sons and daughters can bring out anger in a person who has been mild mannered and easy going their whole life! Why is that? What we have noticed is that children do not create our weaknesses, they reveal them. It is good to understand why we react so strongly to certain situations in order to grow in virtue. In this podcast, we shed some light on the truth about anger, give some tools and ideas for handling anger, and share some of our own experiences and difficulties. If you struggle with anger you are not alone! Listen in and join the conversation.

Family Board Meeting Webinar - https://messyfamilyproject.org/our-events/date-night/2023-family-board-meeting-webinar
Interested in Cana90 for your parish or yourself - https://messyfamilyproject.org/cana90
Moms and Dads Courses- https://messyfamilyhood.com/

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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“The sacrifices our parents made to give us brothers and sisters is one of the greatest things they have done for us.” - Mike and Alicia Hernon

We usually talk about family life from the perspective of parents. But for this podcast, we are going to take some time to talk about what it was like growing up in a family of 6 for Mike and a family of 10 for Alicia. We didn’t realize it as kids, but our parents' lives were really hard and they made a lot of sacrifices having the large families that they had. We see now that although our parents had difficulties, they were not prevented from giving us the greatest gift that they could - our brothers and sisters. Our siblings haven’t blessed us just as children, but we have been able to benefit from those relationships into adulthood! Our brothers and sisters have colored in the outlines that our parents traced for us. We hope that all parents listening will realize that more than money, premier schools, or fancy clothes your children need brothers and sisters. Those relationships are riches they will have for the rest of their lives!

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For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

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