Crazy Cool Family

• #320: Is Family Worth It? (Suz’s Perspective on 30+ years of parenting AND becoming an empty nester!)

  30+ Years, 7 Kids, One Big Lesson: Family Is Worth It In this episode, Macy rapid-fires questions at Suz, drawing out three decades of parenting wisdom from raising seven kids to navigating the empty-nest season. Together, they unpack the heart of family as God’s idea—where parenting is discipleship, connection matters more than tasks, and playing the long game pays off. From marriage teamwork and practical rhythms to the power of community, prayer, and the joy of adult children, this conversation offers encouragement and tools for every season of parenting. Whether you’re in the toddler trenches, managing teens, or stepping into grandparenthood, you’ll find faith-filled wisdom and relatable stories to inspire your family journey. Family is God’s design—prioritize connection, invite Jesus daily, and play the long game. You’ll learn how to: Build connection that creates capacity and peace in your home. Use small resets (like a 5-minute tidy or micro-dates) to beat chaos. Lead as a unified marriage team and signal love to your kids. Lean into community and prayer as a protective covering. Encourage adult kids and celebrate fruit in the next generation. This episode is for new parents, large families, empty nesters, and anyone who wants practical rhythms and spiritual encouragement for raising a Christ-centered home. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

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• #319: Saying Yes or No to Halloween

  Do we Celebrate Halloween as a Family or no? How do you celebrate Halloween as a family and is it bad to do? RE-RUN ALERT!!Halloween hasn't changed over the years and our conversation about it/beliefs on the topic remain the same. Do you need help deciding how your family celebrates Halloween? Then this podcast is for you! First off, your family needs to personally seek God and obey what he is saying for your family. There is no right or wrong. Obeying God is top priority! Secondly, if you do decide to dress up and go house to house here are some mindsets you can empower your kids with. Focus on Light vs. Darkness: Emphasize themes of light, drawing from verses like John 1:5 ("The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it"). Use Halloween as a time to connect with neighbors and friends. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages fellowship and building each other up, which can be reflected in community activities. Share the gospel or pray for people as you go door to door. Encourage creative expression through costumes and decorations. This encourages creativity and imagination in them - and honestly it is just so fun to dress up. Teach children about discernment, focusing on Philippians 4:8, which encourages thinking about things that are true, noble, and right. Discuss the difference between fun and fear and avoid anything that glorifies evil. These are simple mindsets to help place in our kids' minds as we approach this holiday! Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

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• #318: Regulating Big Emotions (feat. McKenzie Reaume)

  Kids can’t learn new skills when their nervous system is flooded. In this episode, Suz and Kenzie show you how to regulate first and coach second using our MONSTER cue: My Only Need: Start To Emotionally Regulate. You’ll learn a faith-filled, brain-wise plan for toddler tantrums, big-kid blowups, and teen flare-ups—without losin;g your own peace. You’ll Learn Thermostat vs. thermometer parenting: How to set the room’s emotional “temperature,” not just read it. The MONSTER check: A simple in-the-moment phrase that grounds you and your child. Storm vs. sunshine timing: Correct for safety in the storm; train skills in the calm. Age-by-age scripts for toddlers, big kids, and teens that lower intensity fast. Pick-your-battle triage: Safety, maturity, and “my-issue” filters so you don’t fight every fight. Reset tools that work: 4/6 breathing, colors game, cold water splash, squeeze/hug items, wall pushups/jumping jacks, worship/quiet song. Regulate → Repair → Rehearse so growth sticks. Faith integration: “Peace lives in me—let’s go find it,” plus short prayers that invite the Holy Spirit into hard moments. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (See also Galatians 5:22–23 for the fruit of the Spirit and Philippians 4:7 for God’s peace.) Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

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• #317: Surviving the Meltdown Moment

  Parenting Through Meltdowns: Turning Chaos into Connection Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect? In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne share wisdom from raising seven kids and over 30 years of parenting experience to help you reframe how you see meltdowns. We’ll dive into why meltdowns happen, how they make us feel as parents, and—most importantly—how to respond in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and reduce chaos in your home over time. You’ll learn practical strategies for handling toddler tantrums, school-day meltdowns, and teenage blow-ups without adding fuel to the fire. From turning a “no” into a redirect, to knowing when to pause and offer grace, this conversation will help you see meltdowns as moments to disciple, not just discipline. We’ll also explore the spiritual side of meltdowns—how God uses adversity to grow us, and how we can model compassion, patience, and love even when emotions run high. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. So, if you’ve ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure in the face of a meltdown, this episode is for you. 👉 Tune in now and discover how to transform meltdowns into meaningful, crazy cool parenting moments. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

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• #316: Grace and Discipline: Can You Really Do Both?

  Can you parent with grace and discipline at the same time? Absolutely. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning explain how to combine God’s favor (grace) with training to standards (discipline) to build self-control, connection, and freedom in your home. You’ll learn the difference between firm vs. harsh, how to respond not react, and a simple “same-side of the line” visual that moves you from power struggles to partnership. The conversation includes empathy that doesn’t excuse behavior, practical scripts for correction, and a preview of emotional regulation tools for “meltdown moments.” Anchored in Hebrews 12:6 and Galatians 5:1, this episode equips you to set clear boundaries and keep a gentle tone—so your kids actually learn. Key takeaways: Grace (favor) + discipline (training) lead to true freedom and self-control. Be firm, not harsh—respectful tone makes correction stick. Use “Help me understand…” to pair empathy with consequences. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your child and point them to God’s standard. Prioritize long-term connection over short-term compliance. Start practicing emotional regulation during meltdowns (for you and your child). Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

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