E204: Is It Important to Raise Kids Around Family? Pros, Cons, and Adjustments

On Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston explore the value of raising children near extended family, reflecting on their own transitions from isolated upbringings to Colorado's close-knit dynamics. They weigh pros like community support, grandparent help, and cousin bonds against cons such as constant pop-ins and balancing multiple families. Weston recounts culture shock from family fridge raids and open-concept home debates, while Molly highlights holiday gatherings and in-law navigation. Covering emotional adjustments, space needs, and generational baggage, they affirm family's role in community-building while acknowledging not everyone has the option. Listeners are inspired to embrace proximity's benefits, set boundaries, and adapt to evolving family roles. In this episode: Molly and Weston debate family proximity myths, from Weston's "unemployed" label to managing 35-person Thanksgivings. Insights on pros like date-night help and closet fixes, plus cons like constant presence and open-concept overwhelm. Personal stories of transitions, from small-house pop-ins to fearing overload when parents move nearby. Discussions on community raising, imperfect families, and inviting everyone to everything for balanced dynamics. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

On Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston offer practical advice on communicating with educators, drawing from their experiences as teachers and parents amid back-to-school chaos. They break down boundaries for parents—like weekend email limits and 24-hour response windows—while addressing student interactions and stranger small talk on planes. Weston shares airplane peacock questions and celebrity encounters, as Molly emphasizes clear school guidelines to avoid confusion. Covering email etiquette, weekend no-gos, and aligning teacher expectations, they stress respect for educators' personal time to sustain the profession. Listeners are encouraged to foster positive dialogues, set realistic expectations, and navigate varying norms with empathy. In this episode: Molly and Weston discuss parent-teacher boundaries, including why Sundays are off-limits and the pitfalls of inconsistent colleague responses. Insights on stranger interactions, from Weston's plane chat shutdowns to avoiding self-importance in "what do you do?" questions. Personal stories of coaching connections, like Travis's NFL contractor alias, and celebrity plane rides with Adam Carolla and Molly Shannon. Tips for students and parents, such as administration guidelines, direct communication lines, and respecting 24-hour windows. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

On Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston dive into the evolution of social etiquette, sharing hilarious personal anecdotes on bodily functions, burping, and family dynamics as they celebrate Molly's birthday month. They explore norms lost to casual society—like airplane attire, gym awareness, and yoga mat boundaries—and debate reclaiming formalities for better public interactions. Weston reflects on sweaty hugs and allergy mishaps, while Molly pushes for reclaiming politeness in shared spaces. Covering generational shifts, ignorance vs. intentional rudeness, and the pendulum swing toward formality, they encourage reclaiming boundaries without becoming curmudgeons. Listeners are inspired to reflect on everyday courtesies and adapt to modern casualness while valuing respect. In this episode: Molly and Weston share laugh-out-loud stories on family bodily function taboos, from holding in farts to sprinkler sneezes. Insights on lost etiquette in public spaces, like avoiding dumbbell hogging at gyms or stepping on yoga mats, with tips for polite navigation. Personal takes on airplane dress codes, from pajamas and filthy pillows to dressing like an adult for flights. Discussions on societal changes, including formal attire's decline and the need for boundaries in casual times. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.  

Molly and Weston prep for the school year on Teaching Keating, offering educator shortcuts to smooth starts and cut tension. Weston outlines ideas like emergency-plan bins, review slots, and student-soundtracked transitions, as Molly recalls streamlined designs and kid-picked tunes. They capture the buzz of fresh groups, home no-work areas, and grading restraint for progress. Via tricks such as backup attire and optimal-hour pinpointing, they spotlight wellness and ops. Audiences are prompted to set limits, opt for simplicity, and pick aids that boost education minus overload. In this episode: - Weston and Molly break down hacks like sub tubs, pause days, and no-work zones for better work-life balance. - Tips on playlists, secret student games, and not grading everything to foster engagement and reduce guilt. - Personal anecdotes on forgetting coffee, ugly comfy shoes, and the honeymoon period of new classes. - Their "he said, she said" game reveals first-day outfits, classroom setup time, and signs of school mode. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

On Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston spill hidden shifts parenthood brings to relationships, prompted by a fan query on pre-kid surprises. They reveal how kids transform couples into collaborators—or rivals—sparring over trivia like rest routines in exhaustion. Weston opens on intimacy's lost impulsiveness, as Molly stresses safeguarding the partnership. Covering duo-to-family evolution, pre-parent liberty mourning, and duty swaps, they stress syncing and adaptability. Viewers are inspired to see shifts as neutral and foster dialogue to curb bitterness. In this episode: - Molly and Weston debate parenting myths, like fighting over logistics and the myth of 50/50 splits. - Insights on how kids alter intimacy, conversations, and roles, with tips like scheduling and team language. - Personal stories of adversaries turning teammates, from sleep battles to emotional transitions. - Their "he said, she said" game explores unromantic quality time and favorite parenting moments, like bedtime rituals. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

Molly and Weston bring humor to awkward encounters on Teaching Keating, reflecting on stories to explain why some stall while others forge ahead. Weston admits pitfalls like name mix-ups and avoidance, as Molly recounts a tense concert reunion and her disarming tactics. They break down awkwardness as mismatched intentions to embarrassment, with emotional insights. With tales like Weston's cashier faux pas and Molly's meetup, they offer coping ways like space-shifting or error-owning. The duo motivates viewing awkwardness as laughs and evolution, not escape. In this episode: - Weston and Molly compare their awkward styles: he freezes and stews, she owns it and moves forward. - A breakdown of awkward vs. embarrassment, with tips like fleeing to healthier spaces or texting to diffuse arguments. - Real-life tales, including a high school concert encounter and Weston's gym name blunder. - Their "he said, she said" game uncovers signature awkward moves, like Molly's high voice and Weston's paralysis. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

Join Molly and Weston on Teaching Keating as they explore anger's role in marriage and family, fresh from their summer squabbles amid birthdays, kid transitions, and stressors. Weston discusses midlife reflections at 44 and kids' changes, while Molly examines post-COVID surges and why feelings aren't sins but actions matter. Drawing from Gallup data on anger linked to finances, media, and tech, they share strategies like environmental shifts, walks, and texting during disagreements. Listeners are urged to embrace vulnerabilities, nurture connections, and see anger as masking deeper issues like grief or control loss. In this episode: - Weston and Molly admit to recent arguments and how summer chaos fuels marital tension. - A deep dive into research on anger trends, including the role of social media in eliciting negative emotions. - Practical tips for managing anger, from workouts and confession to texting during conflicts for better understanding. - Their "he said, she said" game reveals go-to angry phrases and coping strategies, emphasizing teamwork in tough times. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

In this lively episode of Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston tackle the world of Pinterest-perfect parents and teachers, diving into the pressures of social media-driven perfectionism. Molly shares her love for Pinterest as a practical tool for recipes and gardening tips, while confessing her struggles with crafts like Valentine's Day boxes. Weston, a self-proclaimed Pinterest skeptic, reveals his secret use of it for gift ideas, like a purse for Molly. Through a fun "he said, she said" segment, they explore their reactions to Pinterest-inspired ideas and the competitive "look at me" culture of modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram. They encourage listeners to use social media as a tool, not a source of comparison, and to focus on what truly matters in parenting and teaching. In this episode: * Molly defends Pinterest's usefulness while Weston rolls his eyes at its showy side. * A humorous look at their failed attempt at homemade baby food and Molly's coffee table project. * Their take on the "why" behind social media posts and avoiding the comparison trap. * Their goal: inspire educators and parents to prioritize authenticity over perfection. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

In this insightful episode of Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston share their seasoned perspectives on identifying ineffective professional development (PD) sessions, drawing from their extensive experience as educators and PD participants. They humorously outline three telltale signs of a "garbage PD," from awkward icebreakers and dismissive "parking lot" question tactics to overly simplistic buzzwords like "engagement" and "innovation." Through a lively "he said, she said" segment, they reveal their personal pet peeves, like Weston's disdain for slide readers and Molly's love for turn-and-talk strategies. Their candid discussion, peppered with anecdotes about their teaching lives, encourages educators to champion great PD and approach all sessions with professionalism. In this episode: * Molly and Weston reveal three signs you're stuck in a subpar PD session. * A humorous take on Weston's earthy wardrobe choices and Molly's jumpsuit preference. * Their frustrations with buzzwords and overly rah-rah presenters. * Their goal: inspire educators to value and promote effective PD while staying respectful. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.

In this dynamic episode of Teaching Keating, Molly and Weston dive into the world of humor, debating whether you can teach someone to be funny. Weston confesses his love for funny people, sharing stories of his friend’s squirrel-induced 911 call, while Molly defends her knack for laughing at her own jokes, like her classic “Winnie’s Poo” bit. They swap laughs over their differing senses of humor—Weston’s penchant for clumsy mishaps versus Molly’s love for clever wordplay—and explore how humor lightens family and classroom life. Molly’s call to embrace laughter inspires a fresh approach to finding joy in the everyday. In this episode: * Molly and Weston tackle the question: can you teach someone to be funny? * A heartfelt look at Weston’s awkward gas station gaffe versus Molly’s repetitive joke-telling. * Weston’s take on how humor stems from ludicrous responses to the mundane. * Their goal: foster a lighthearted home and classroom by celebrating humor. Connect with Us: Follow us for updates and more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below about your strategies for building habits rather than setting resolutions. Learn more at: westonkieschnick.com   About Weston and Molly: Weston is a former high school teacher and administrator who now works as a Senior Fellow with the International Center for Leadership in Education. His work as a keynote speaker and instructional coach has allowed him to learn alongside teachers and administrators from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Molly is a former elementary and middle school teacher who now works with teens and young adults in parochial education programs around Colorado. She and Weston are the parents of children who provide additional fodder for Teaching Keating.