Throwback Parenting

In Episode 23, we started our discussion about preparing children to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you haven't already listened to that episode, you might want to do that before listening to this episode, which is a continuation of that conversation. Find show notes here: http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode24/

A strong marriage provides the foundation for a strong family. It nurtures a feeling of security in the kids and stability to the family unit, which is why I believe that the best gift we can ever give to our kids is a happy marriage. Whether we have been married for six months or, in our case, 22 years, there is always something we can do to strengthen our marriage. Today, we are talking with special guest, Becky Squire, about five areas of marriage that all married couples should address. Find show notes at http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode22/ Follow along on Instagram: @lynnettesheppard Follow along on Facebook: Throwback Parenting

As parents, part of our job is to raise money-smart kids who are well-versed in saving, sharing, and spending smart. That process can be daunting, especially if we do not come from a background of sound financial decisions. But have no fear, friends, because we are here to help. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: The building blocks to learning (and teaching) about money The biggest mistakes parents make when it comes to teaching their kids about money. Why allowance is the best tool to teach kids about money. The way to structure allowance for maximum effectiveness. When should parents start an allowance, and how much should they give? What to do if your kids are teens or tweens and you have not yet started teaching them about money. How to teach kids to save and make charitable contributions in addition to smart spending. Show notes available here: http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode21/

I know I am not alone in wanting my kids to like each other in addition to loving each other. I want them to be friends and appreciate each other long in adulthood. But, some days, I wonder how I can facilitate that when they seem to be arguing every waking minute. The unfortunate reality is that we cannot force our kids to be best friends. They don't get to choose their siblings like they choose their friends, and sometimes, personalities will clash. Not only that but living with people will always result in conflict from time to time. Because of that, I do not have a magic wand to wave sibling conflict away. I do, however, have some helpful suggestions for containing it. Hopefully, as we work on containing conflict, it will become less frequent, thus increasing the amount of peace and respect in our homes. Listen in for all the details. Find show notes at http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode20/ Follow along on Instagram @lynnettesheppard Follow on Facebook at Throwback Parenting   If you are enjoying the

I (Lynnette) just celebrated my 42nd birthday. To celebrate, we are doing something fun on the podcast: unmasking ourselves. Yep, that is right. We are breaking away from our typical parenting talk to tell you some things about us that you might not know, just for funsies. Greg and I each wrote a list of things about each other that you might find interesting. The best part is that I had no idea what Greg was going to say about me, and he had no idea what I was going to say about him. The reactions are 100% unscripted, which means there is a lot of laughing involved. What You Will Learn: How we developed our individual athletic prowess (or lack thereof). Why I cannot trust Greg at the grocery store. What I almost studied in college. Some hidden hobbies and talents. How we started dating. And SO MUCH more that will make you laugh and love us even more than you already do (or so we hope). Find show notes at http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode19/ Follow along on Instagram @lynnettesheppard Follow on Facebo

Helicopter parents are the cultural norm these days. They have good intentions and are trying to be the best parents they can be. The problem is that this style of parenting is not in the best interest of children because the underlying message is, "I don't trust you. You cannot do things without my help." If we, as parents, want to raise kids who have the skills, the confidence, and the resilience to navigate the challenges of life, we must set aside our micromanaging tendencies and teach our kids to stand on their own two feet. This episode will teach you how (and why) to do just that. What you will learn: The three universal struggles of helicopter parents (control, trust, perfectionism). What each of us can and cannot control. Why micromanaging is not teaching, and what to do instead. Why helicopter parents are parenting from a place of fear (often subconsciously), and which fears are most likely to be leading the charge. The likely results of fear-based parenting. How to reframe your fears and your thin

Have you ever wondered about the role of consequences in parenting? Do you worry that the consequences you assign to your children's misbehavior are too harsh? Or not harsh enough? Do you wonder if you should use natural or logical consequences? Do you use the same consequences over and over, hoping that they will eventually produce the desired results? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are not alone, and you are in the right place. Today, we are delving into the hot-button topic of consequences, so buckle up! Find show notes at http://www.lynnettesheppard.com/episode17/ Follow along on Instagram @lynnettesheppard Follow on Facebook at Throwback Parenting   If you are enjoying the podcast, please consider subscribing or reviewing it on iTunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Those reviews help others to find us. And, as always, feel free to share it with your friends. Word of mouth is the best marketing tool.

We have 20+ years of experience raising strong-willed kids. (Only one out of five kids would I truly classify as easy-going.) With that experience, we have learned a thing or two about what to do and what to avoid like the plague. And also how to keep your sanity because these kids know how to push their parents' buttons like a boss. Along with pushing buttons, however, they have an incredible amount of drive and potential that we, as parents, can help them harness. What you will learn in this episode: Your kids' strong-will is not your fault. Strong-willed kids need boundaries, even though they don't want them. Strong-willed kids are often driven and highly perfectionistic, which means they are incredibly hard on themselves. Strong-willed kids will routinely invite you to engage in power struggles and will fight to the bitter end (even about stupid things). Don't hop on that bandwagon. Strong-willed kids crave their parents' trust. Strong-willed kids are natural leaders. Strong-willed kids are often HIGHLY

There are times when I look around at what I am up against - what we are up against - in attempting to raise children who can maintain faith in a world that discourages it at every turn, and I feel a little bit like Aragorn's army in Tolkien's classic novel, Return of the King. There are times when I feel a sense of fear, even panic when I wonder how this seemingly impossible task can be accomplished. Our children are on the front lines of the battle every day. They spend hours outside of our watchful care, making daily decisions that will eventually determine where their loyalties lie. There are influences all around them that can destroy the faith that we, as their parents, strive to help them develop. Given the uphill battle, some may wonder if this is a pointless fight - if surrender, though not what we want to do, is staring us in the face, waiting for us to accept it as a regrettable option. And, to those, I echo Aragorn's passionate plea, "This day we fight!" In this episode, we talk about why family i

Boredom is the universal curse of summer break. But do not fret, my friend, because I am here to help. With five kids who are now mostly teens and young adults, I have been through a summer or two (or 20) with a houseful of bored children. And you know what I have learned? Boredom is a blessing. I know what you are thinking: "What do you mean boredom is a blessing? My kids drive me CRAZY with their complaints about having nothing to do. When they are not complaining, they are fighting with each other. I feel like I am constantly playing referee or finding ways to entertain them so I can keep my sanity." But what if you changed your mindset? What would happen if you decided to think of boredom as an opportunity instead of a problem? In my experience, boredom is where creativity is born. Kids are born with wild imaginations that will never come to life unless they have unstructured time to connect with them. In other words, they must have nothing to do for long enough to get in touch with their creativity and m

“Everybody wants to make a difference, but nobody wants to be different. And you simply cannot have one without the other.” Andy Andrews Do you ever feel like you don't fit in? That you are different from the crowd? I am raising my hand high. That has been a huge theme in my life and, for some reason, I feel compelled to talk about it today. In this episode, I dive deep into my story of learning to accept and own the fact that I am different - that I don't need to fit in. The journey started in my early childhood, as feeling like I didn't belong was the theme of my youth. I continue to walk this path of self-discovery and self-acceptance today, though much more confidently than in the past. If you have ever felt like you were on the fringe and longed for connections that remained elusive, or if you want to know what that is like from my perspective, you will enjoy this episode. Show notes at throwbackparenting.com Follow along on Instagram @lynnettesheppard Follow along on Facebook at Throwback Parenting

While some personalities are more prone to yelling than others, it seems to be a universal problem among parents. I know it is a hot-button topic in the parenting community because nobody likes the way they feel after they yell at their kids. But guess what? You have come to the right place! I can help you step back, look at the big picture, and identify why you lose your cool. Once you understand your triggers, it is easier to fix the problem. Guess what else? The triggers might not be what you think they are. They might stem from trying to be a nice, positive mom. I know what you are thinking; why would trying to be nice cause me to yell? We get into that in great detail in this episode, along with several other reasons why parents resort to yelling. After listening, you will be able to target your triggers, realize why they are causing you to lose your cool, and take steps to overcome them. It could be life-changing! Find show notes here Follow on Instagram @lynnettesheppard Follow on Facebook at Throwback

Do you have kids who are never ready on time in the morning because they are distractable, unmotivated, or simply as slow as molasses? If so, you are in good company. This seems to be a universal problem among parents. We have sure been there with our kids! But what is the solution? How do you motivate your kids to get ready on time without following them around, hovering, micromanaging, or doing things for them because they simply do not seem capable of taking care of things on their own? We have a few ideas for you, so do not fear. We can help you solve this problem, taking the stress out of mornings, and making it possible for you to do whatever you want in the morning, knowing that your kids will be ready to go when the time comes. Sound too good to be true? It is not! Listen in to find out how to make the magic happen in your own home. Find show notes at lynnettesheppard.com/episode11/ Follow on Instagram at @lynnettesheppard Follow on Facebook at Throwback Parenting

Whether we are talking about technology or curfews, teens and their parents are prone to misunderstanding each other. I, my friends, fall right into that category. I often find myself scratching my head and wondering what in the world is going on in the heads of my teens. I think they might be from another planet. Or maybe I am. Either way, the struggle is real. In a rather selfish move, I asked my 16-year-old daughter, Elise, to come on the podcast and talk to us about things teens wish their parents understood. While hesitant at first, she quickly agreed, for which I was beyond grateful. This was my chance to get a tiny peek into her head, which I knew would provide some much-needed insight. So this episode was born. Our conversation with Elise was completely unscripted. She had written an outline, which we briefly discussed before recording, but neither Greg or I had the outline in our hands. She was leading this ship, and we were coming along for the ride. Elise has some fantastic insight and wisdom beyon

Sometimes, in the midst of the struggles associated with raising teens and young adults, hope is elusive. Award-winning author and speaker, Heidi Tucker, knows a little bit about that. While she was raising her four children, she had her share of challenges, some of which felt almost insurmountable at the time. She now writes and speaks about discovering hope amidst the challenges of life. I am thrilled to have her on the podcast to discuss how parents can find hope in the journey of raising teens and young adults. Even if you do not have teens or young adults, Heidi's wisdom and advice apply to any hard situation you might encounter. Listen in to find some light and hope in your own journey.   For show notes, visit throwbackparenting.com For daily inspiration, follow along on Instagram Find Heidi on her website, The Pickled Sunflower Purchase her books, Finding Hope in the Journey and Servie's Song here.

We've all heard of them - lawnmower parents. They go to whatever lengths necessary to prevent their children from facing adversity, pain, challenge, or failure. Lawnmower parents are undoubtedly well-intentioned. They want the best for their kids and are willing to go to great lengths to help then succeed. The problem is that they are short-sighted. They do not realize that their parenting style clearly tells their kids, "I don't think you are capable of doing things on your own, so I will do this for you." In the end, this style of parenting produces kids who are ill-equipped to handle the challenges of life. They struggle to make decisions. They do not trust themselves. They are fragile and often fall apart when life doesn't go their way. But all of us might have a little lawnmower parent in us that shows up from time to time if we are not careful. (I know I do!) In true Jeff Foxworthy style, listen in to this episode for a lighthearted discussion about how "You might be a lawnmower parent if..." Show notes

I have heard lots of buzz lately about positive reinforcement in the context of parenting. Perhaps, that is because "positive parenting" is en vogue. It is so popular, in fact, that it sometimes feels like any other style of parenting is perceived as negative. Positive parenting is grounded in positive reinforcement, an idea that was popularized by B.F. Skinner in the 1960s and 70s. Skinner believed that behavior that is rewarded will continue, while behavior that is not rewarded will eventually disappear. But does positive reinforcement actually shape the behavior of children in a way that is sustainable? Should parents incentivize good behavior with rewards? That is what we are discussing in this episode. Listen in to hear our take.

Marjorie Pay Hinkley said, "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." It is no secret that raising children can be stressful at times, but humor has a way of taking the edge off tense situations. In this episode, we talk about the role of laughter in parenting and family life. We even share some of our most hilarious parenting fails. You won't want to miss it!

I recently received this question on Instagram: “What should I do when my child doesn’t listen – flat out ignoring me until I yell or do something physical to get their attention? I ask calmly and quietly and kindly and after the 3rdtime, I may need to make eye contact, but even when they acknowledge that I asked something (OK, Mom) they don’t do it.” We will tackle this question in today's episode, so listen in. Whether you have preschoolers or teens, the strategies we share will work.   

We are the proud parents of three teens, one young adult, and one 10-year-old. When our kids were young, we were terrified of having teenagers because everybody told us how hard it was to deal with moody, irrational, disrespectful teens. Now that we are in the thick of that stage, it is turning out to be our favorite parenting season yet. It is not without its difficulties, but we think teens are awesome! In this episode, we discuss both the joys and the challenges of parenting during this stage of life. We think you will find our perspective hopeful and uplifting. If you have teenagers or will at any point in the future, this one is for you.