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MFP295: The Key to Your Child's Success

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Release Date: 08/05/2024

MFP 363: Growing Up Hernon - What it's like in a large, loud, loving family show art MFP 363: Growing Up Hernon - What it's like in a large, loud, loving family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary What’s it really like growing up in a big family?   In this special Hernon kids takeover podcast, Mike and Alicia’s children gather around the mic to tell the honest, funny, and heartfelt story of their upbringing. From loud dinner tables and sibling fights to deep bonds, meaningful traditions, and moments of feeling unseen, the Hernon siblings share what shaped them—for better and for worse.   They talk openly about the challenges of a large family, how sibling relationships filled the gaps when parents were stretched thin, and why intentional traditions mattered more...

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MFP 362: Choosing to Be Wrong Together, Over Being Right Alone show art MFP 362: Choosing to Be Wrong Together, Over Being Right Alone

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Your decisions may not always be perfect, but you can choose to make them together.   Summary In this week’s podcast, we dive into one of the most important truths for married couples: you will never make a perfect decision—but you can choose unity. Today’s culture urges us to optimize everything with hacks, experts, and AI, yet the real power in family life comes from spouses acting together. We share our own stories of big decisions—moves, career changes, even grad school—and how waiting for unity brought peace and strength to our home. Join us as we unpack how to stay united:...

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MFP 361: The Story of All Stories: Catholic Parenting & Hospitality with Emily Stimpson Chapman show art MFP 361: The Story of All Stories: Catholic Parenting & Hospitality with Emily Stimpson Chapman

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Hospitality and real community starts by inviting people into your messy home…”   Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia sit down with best-selling Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman to talk about Advent, Storybook for young Catholics, and the beauty of simple hospitality. Emily shares the real, lived rhythms of Advent in her home—reminding parents that peace and prayerfulness grow best when traditions are tied to everyday routines and kept flexible, not burdensome.   Emily also introduces her newest work, The Story of All Stories, a beautifully crafted children’s...

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MFP 360: Don't be Afraid of Screwing Up Your Kids (because you already are!) show art MFP 360: Don't be Afraid of Screwing Up Your Kids (because you already are!)

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Learning how to trust God and let go of our fears, worries, and frustrations is the best way to model peace for our children.” — Dr. Gregory Bottaro   Summary This week on the Messy Family Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Greg Bottaro for a heartfelt and practical conversation every parent needs to hear. In this interview, Dr. Greg explains why kids are not naturally built to listen and why so many of us parents end up frustrated. His solution is simple and hopeful. Get clear on the rulebook you grew up with, compare it with your spouse’s, and build a shared one that gives your...

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MFP 359: How to Choose Toys for Christmas show art MFP 359: How to Choose Toys for Christmas

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

"Baby Jesus was an amazing surprise to the world on Christmas morning, and gifts under the tree remind us of that wondrous gift each year." - Regina Doman Summary Mothers create the environment of the home by what we allow in our house, how we arrange our home, and where things are kept. We are teaching our children all the time, not just by what we say and do, but the home that we create for our families.  We communicate what we value and what we want our children to learn by the "stuff" in our home.  Moms have to be thoughtful and intentional about this.  Listen into this...

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MFP 358: Thriving, not just surviving with lots of littles show art MFP 358: Thriving, not just surviving with lots of littles

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary Are you exhausted, overwhelmed, or wondering whether you’re doing anything right as a parent of little ones? You’re not alone — and you’re not crazy. In this refreshed and expanded episode, Mike and Alicia revisit their classic “Survival Zone” conversation with new insights from another decade of parenting and now grandparenting. They unpack why the early years are so intense, what’s normal (hint: your exhaustion), how marriage is stretched during this season, and how moms and dads can support each other through the chaos. You’ll hear practical advice on setting...

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MFP 357: Marriage Q&A: When It Feels Hard, How Do You Stay Connected? show art MFP 357: Marriage Q&A: When It Feels Hard, How Do You Stay Connected?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

In this honest Q&A episode, Mike and Alicia answer real questions from listeners about the struggles every couple faces – feeling distant, managing conflict, and staying united when life gets stressful. They talk about what to do when your marriage feels dry or disconnected, how to rebuild emotional intimacy, and how humility, forgiveness, and shared prayer can bring healing. With humor and wisdom from decades of marriage and mentoring, they offer hope for couples who want to grow together, not just stay together.   Couples Discussion Questions What should I do when my spouse seems...

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MFP 356: Twenty Minutes to Change a Kid's Life – the Importance of Family Dinners show art MFP 356: Twenty Minutes to Change a Kid's Life – the Importance of Family Dinners

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Families need to disconnect from the world’s pace, be present to one another and break bread together. - Bishop Thomas Olmstead Summary Why are family dinners so hard — and so important? In our latest Messy Family Podcast episode, we get real about the chaos of mealtime: the cooking, the planning, the juggling schedules, picky eaters, and the endless cleanup. But we also share the good news — it doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.  Family meals aren’t just about food. They’re a time to build identity, teach traditions, and give your kids a sense of belonging. Research shows...

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MFP 355: Making Your Marriage #1 show art MFP 355: Making Your Marriage #1

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary In this re-release of  Episode MFP191, we open up about one of the biggest challenges every couple faces—finding time for each other in the midst of busy family life. After 31 years of marriage, we’ve learned that love doesn’t just grow on its own; it takes intention and effort because although our marriages are always Important, they are rarely Urgent. In this episode, we share our own stories, some laughs, and practical ways to stay connected—whether through daily check-ins, regular date nights, or an occasional weekend away. We also talk about how to make this happen...

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MFP354: How Can I Have a Relationship with God? show art MFP354: How Can I Have a Relationship with God?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

"Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." - Pope Benedict XVI   Summary Every one of us is on a journey towards eternity.  Our life here on earth, our vocation, our careers, our relationships are all just ways that we can grow in our knowledge of ourselves and of God.  But many of us struggle to learn how we can stretch ourselves and prioritize our own spiritual growth.  In this podcast, we share our own stories of conversation moments and how...

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"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit" Proverbs 25:28

 

Summary: 

Have you ever had a child melt down because they didn’t get what they wanted? How do we respond to emotional outbursts in our children? Self-control is an underappreciated virtue in our modern culture, but ironically, it is the one skill we can teach our children that can help them achieve great success.  Instead of embracing the maxim of today, “Just do it!” we should be echoing the slogan of the 80’s anti-drug campaign, "Just say no!”.  Our children need to learn from a young age that they CAN be in charge of how they react to their emotions, but they need your guidance and help to do this. In this podcast, we give some tips and tricks on how to speak to your child and put them in the driver’s seat of life.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Emotional outbursts are a sign of immaturity.  As they grow and as you teach them they will learn.  But if you don’t get this under control when they are young you will be sorry

  • Self control is an unappreciated virtue.  Lack of self control is lauded in our culture “Just do it!” as opposed to “Just say no!”

  • Important to train your child early!! Their brain can change more than any other time in their lives. Often we focus more on training in athletics or academics than virtue, but virtue is where they will find success in life.

  • When they are emotional, teach your children how to activate the logical part of their brain.  As parents of young children, we help them regulate their emotions so they can learn how to do it themselves.  

  • Give them space to make a choice.  The more they do it, the stronger and better they will be at it

 

Couple Discussion Questions: 

  • How would we define self control?  Why is it important

  • How do we respond to our children when they lose control?  What do we think about this?  

  • What are some good strategies we can use for our children specifically?