#296: Crazy Cool Parent This: Steps to Improve Connection
Crazy Cool Family This - Connection!
We are excited to talk about this because we feel like we prioritized connections within our family and we believe it is the most important thing you can invest in - connections within family are THE MOST IMPORTANT!
"Relationships build security." - Suz
Here are the talking points:
What is more important - obedience or relationship?
What does Jesus say about connections?
Reasons to value connections within family
Making it PRACTICAL: Crazy Cool Connection
Each week we will aim to give you a CCC – A Crazy Cool.... C word – lol! It’s to sum all the info from this podcast up and package in a way you can activate.
Today’s CCC is a Crazy Cool CONNECTION. If you want to see transformation in your family- start with connection. Pick 1 practical we shared from the podcast and do it!
Based on the age of your kids, your CCC may be different for each kid OR it may be one big change you need to make within your entire family. Here are a few examples:
Have dinner together: Chik-Fil-A counts:)
Say no to something this weekend to prioritize family
Instead of a movie night do a game night
Podcast Resources:
Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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35:20
#295: We've Never Talked about Easter....
Let's talk Easter, cause we never have!
Easter is one of the MOST important holidays within our faith and we have NEVER done a podcast on it. We’ve almost made 300 episodes and looking through them, this is the first time we’ve set aside space to talk about Easter – so let’s dive in.
The goal of today's podcast is to help your family have the BEST Easter EVER.
Here are a few points we discuss:
Biblical understanding of Easter and it's significance
Why Easter is overlooked/hard to celebrate without commercialized elements
HOW to celebrate as a family and make it all about Jesus
How do you Crazy Cool Parent that?
Making it PRACTICAL: Crazy Cool Change
Each week we will aim to give you a CCC – A Crazy Cool.... C word – lol! It’s to sum all the info from this podcast up and package in a way you can activate.
Today’s CCC is a Crazy Cool CHANGE. If you want to see transformation in your family- start with changing one thing you did last year around this time. Choose/Pick 1 practical we shared from the podcast and do it!
Based on the age of your kids, your CCC may be different for each kid OR it may be one big change you need to make within your entire family. Here are a few examples:
Read the story of Jesus death and resurrection as a family (or watch a movie that kids can handle)
Make the Easter morning intentional and about celebrating Jesus
Make a special breakfast
Ask your kids what they think Easter is and see what is in their hearts regarding this holiday!
Want the Free Easter Resource?
Join our Practical Parenting Daily Email and be the first to get the Easter Deep Dive on April 13th!
Podcast Resources:
Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
Join the Daily Email (and your way to get the FREE Easter Resource on April 13th!)
Give us a review!
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29:42
#294 In Charge Vs. In Control (Feat. Mollie Torres)
Mollie joins the podcast to talk about an insight God has been giving her about control vs. being in charge.
Mollie, a mother of two boys, and the oldest Manning kid - reflects on a thought-provoking question she received from her church: "Where are you allowing the Holy Spirit to be in charge in your life?"
She shares that she loves to be in charge, a trait shaped by being the oldest in the Manning Fam. Mollie is used to taking the lead and often finds comfort in knowing the vision and direction of where she is going. This strong inclination toward control can sometimes clash with the idea of surrendering to God’s will.
Highlights from the podcast:
Questions to ask God when it comes to control vs. being in charge of certain aspects of your life
Gifts from God are to be used to His glory/purpose/vision - but how?
How do we live "in charge" and aligned with God's plan for your family
Releasing it to God.... and then.... ask God what is "just right"
Favor and honor of leading with God without all the pressure of knowing where to go/what to do all the time (God is in control, you aren't!)
Crazy Cool Challenge: Make a list of things Holy Spirit wants you to release to Him AND what He wants you to own/carry. Ask God what gifts He has given you and to wash them clean, AND to give them back to use for HIS glory!!
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Podcast Resources:
Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
Follow us on social media!
Join the Daily Email
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26:22
#293: Do you know how to disciple AND be a disciple (Feat. Marcus Warner)
In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don welcomes Marcus Warner, the president of Deeper Walk International and a renowned expert on family dynamics and discipleship. The conversation dives deep into Marcus's transformative FISH discipleship methodology, which stands for Freedom, Identity, Spirit, and Heart-Focused Community. This framework offers a practical and spiritual approach to nurturing strong, meaningful connections within families and with God.
Throughout the episode, Marcus explores how parents can use the FISH methodology not only to strengthen their own relationship with God but also to guide and nurture their children’s spiritual journeys. He emphasizes that building a deep sense of identity—both in ourselves and in our children—is central to the process. The conversation unveils how parents can create a supportive environment where attachment takes priority over behavior, ensuring that children feel seen, loved, and secure.
Rather than focusing solely on correcting behaviors, Marcus stresses the importance of fostering emotional and spiritual attachment as the foundation for lasting growth. The discussion jumps between the roles of the parent as both a disciple and a discipler, offering valuable insights for parents seeking to lead by example while also guiding their children in their own faith development.
This engaging episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their family's spiritual health, offering practical strategies and profound wisdom to cultivate a lasting, heart-centered connection with both God and each other.
Podcast Resources:
Deeper Walk International
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35:57
#292: Crazy Cool Parent This: Q&A with Don and Suz
In Season 7 of our podcast, we are taking time to give practical parenting tips in our episodes. We are using the term, "Crazy Cool Parent This" because choosing to parent God's way is often crazy AND turns out cool.
Sometimes we go deep into a specific topic and sometimes (like today) we like to throw random questions at Don and Suz and see what they think/how they would parent the situation.
Here are the questions we cover in today's podcast:
How do you pursue God amidst busy family seasons?
My 5-year-old son said a bad word, what do I do?
My child is kissing!!! What do I do?
Share this episode with a friend and keep listening for more Q&A episodes this season!
Got a question and need help? Email us at podcast@crazycoolfamilycom and maybe your questions will show up in a future episode!
Podcast Resources:
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Join the Daily Email
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Want home to be your favorite place in the world? Want to see siblings get along like best friends? Want to send your kid off to college with hope instead of fear? At Crazy Cool Family, we can help you answer all of those questions with a resounding “YES!”
We have one simple mission: To show parents how to create amazing families by building their lives around Jesus and helping their kids to do the same. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us that what is most important in life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. We believe that families are our most important relationships and their strength will determine the strength of your family. You will Rethink the Way You Do Family when you see God’s incredible relational design for your families.
God wants a Crazy Cool Family for you and we want to help you get there!