Jones Family Playbook

Parenting is hard. But what if we're so focused on how exhausting it is that we're missing the life we've always wanted?After returning from Italy, we found ourselves slipping right back into the routines, stress, and overwhelm of everyday family life. It made us ask a bigger question: Are we actually experiencing our lives, or are we so busy wishing certain seasons away that we're missing them?In this episode of The Jones Family Playbook, we talk about the mindset shift that can change how we see parenthood, why the little moments with our kids matter more than we realize, and how to find beauty in the middle of the chaos.We also get real about the rising cost of groceries and housing, the financial pressures facing young families, spending money on ourselves, and the choices we make when our family's priorities come first.IN THIS EPISODE:Why we felt overwhelmed just 24 hours after returning from ItalyHow your mindset can change the way you experience parenthoodWhy we shouldn't wish away the difficult seasons of raising young kidsThe little parenting moments we'll wish we could have backThe rising cost of groceries, housing, and raising a familyWhy the median age of first-time homebuyers caught us by surpriseBalancing family expenses with spending money on yourselfMarriage, financial priorities, and learning to appreciate the life you're living❤️ WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE — we're working toward our first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and every subscription helps us keep growing The Jones Family Playbook.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Marriage #Therapy #CouplesTherapy #Parenting #MarriagePodcast #parenthood #motherhood #fatherhood

We left our two young boys at home and traveled halfway around the world to Rome, Italy. We expected a chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy some time together. But being away from our kids turned out to be more emotional than we anticipated.In this special episode of The Jones Family Playbook, we're sitting in front of the Colosseum talking about our first big international trip WITHOUT our 2-year-old and 5-month-old. From missing Halloween with our boys to the unexpected guilt of being an ocean away, we're sharing the honest reality of taking a vacation without your children.We also tell the story of attending a private papal audience with Pope Leo XIV, including the incredible Villanova connection he and Keith share, explore the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, discover authentic Italian food, and talk about how having children changes your marriage and your perspective on motherhood.Is it wrong to take a vacation without your kids? Can time away actually make your marriage stronger? And... would we do it all over again? We're answering those questions and sharing what we'll take home from Rome.Have an episode idea? Share it in the comments or email us at [email protected]❤️ WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. We're working toward our first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and every subscription helps us keep growing The Jones Family Playbook.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet - with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Marriage #Rome #Italy #ParentingTwoKids #Parenting #MarriagePodcast #parenthood #motherhood #popeleoxiv #vatican #colosseum #colosseo

Why do couples argue more after having kids? Holly and Keith get honest about the fights nobody warns you about: feeling like roommates, the exhaustion Olympics, phone use, and even the “right” way to swaddle a baby... all while dressed as Disney's Cars' Lightning McQueen's pit crew. 🏁👉 We’re close to 1,000 subscribers! Please consider subscribing!💬 Tell us in the comments: did your arguments get worse, better, or stay the same after kids? And what’s your code word to reset a fight?Have an episode idea? Share it in the comments or email us at [email protected]❤️ WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE — we're working toward our first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and every subscription helps us keep growing The Jones Family Playbook.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Marriage #Therapy #CouplesTherapy #ParentingTwoKids #Parenting #MarriagePodcast #parenthood #motherhood

Are we bad parents for leaving our 2-year-old and 4-month-old with their grandparents so we can fly overseas? In this episode of  @JonesFamilyPlaybook , we get brutally honest about the guilt, the doubts, and the moment one of us asked, "So why don't we cancel the trip?"We've never spent a single night away from our boys. Holly has a physical reaction just talking about it, Keith thinks a strong marriage has to come first, and neither of us can fully convince the other.We break down our plan for leaving the kids with grandparents, the "call me at 3 a.m." rule, and whether we'll be checking the baby cameras the whole time. We look at what the research says about separation anxiety, hear what our pediatrician said, and explain why bringing the boys on this trip was never an option.Then we play "Haunted House, But It's Parenting," from 3 a.m. screaming to stepping on a rogue Hot Wheel.Would YOU leave your kids for a trip like this? Tell us in the comments on YouTube. 👇In this episode:-Leaving young kids for the first time-Mom guilt and parent guilt-Leaving kids with grandparents-First night away from your baby-Traveling without kids-Separation anxiety in toddlers and babies-Should your marriage come first?-Do couples need time alone after kids?-Why we can't fly internationally with a toddler and a baby-Missing holidays like Halloween-Haunted House, But It's ParentingHave an episode idea? Share it in the comments or email us at [email protected]❤️ WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE — we're working toward our first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and every subscription helps us keep growing The Jones Family Playbook.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#MomGuilt #ParentingTwoKids #Parenting #SeparationAnxiety #FamilyPodcast #DadLife #marriageafterkids #parenthood #motherhood #TheJonesFamilyPlaybook

What happens when Mom isn't just tired… but completely tapped out?In this episode of The Jones Family Playbook, Holly opens up about something many moms experience but don't always talk about: mom rage, mental overload, and the feeling of being completely overwhelmed and overstimulated by the end of the day.After a long day caring for two young boys, Holly reaches her breaking point when bedtime doesn't go according to plan. What follows is an honest conversation about postpartum emotions, the mental load of motherhood, parenting two children with very different needs, and what it feels like when your nervous system is simply done.Keith also shares what it's like to watch the person you love struggle and instinctively want to fix the problem - only to realize that sometimes she doesn't need a solution. She needs space.We talk about:• Mom rage and the emotional overload of motherhood• Why small frustrations can become overwhelming• The mental load of raising two children• Postpartum emotions and breastfeeding• Why dads sometimes want to “fix” what moms need to feel• Giving your partner space when they're completely tapped out• The importance of communication and daily “touch points” in marriage• Therapy, mental health, and asking for help• Feeling like you're accomplishing nothing while raising your kids• The reality of parenting two young childrenAnd, of course, we eventually discover the unlikely cure for a terrible day: peanut butter, tiramisu, and Dancing With the Stars.❤️ WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE — we're working toward our first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and every subscription helps us keep growing The Jones Family Playbook.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Parenting #Parenthood #MarriageAfterKids #Fatherhood #Motherhood #MomRage #Overstimulation #DadLife #MomLife #TheJonesFamilyPlaybook

Having kids changes almost everything, including who you are, how you spend your time, and how you experience your marriage.In this episode of  @JonesFamilyPlaybook , we get honest about something parents don't always say out loud: we love being parents, but we also miss parts of the lives we had before kids.We talk about losing our freedom, struggling to find time for each other, date nights that feel rushed, and the challenge of making time for ourselves while raising two young boys.We also look back at who we were when we first met, how becoming parents changed our identities, and whether it's possible to miss your old life while still loving the life you've built.And then Holly shares the story of the first time she saw Keith at NBC10 in Philadelphia, a moment she says she'll never forget. ❤️If you're a parent who's ever wondered, “Where did the old me go?” or “How do we find our way back to each other?” this conversation is for you.Watch the full episode, then LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE The Jones Family Playbook with another parent who needs to hear this.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Parenting #Parenthood #MarriageAfterKids #parenthoodgoals #Fatherhood #Motherhood #DadLife #MomLife #TheJonesFamilyPlaybook

Going back to work after parental leave sounds simple… until you come home and your toddler stops running to you.Keith is back at work after 16 weeks of paternity leave, trying to balance fatherhood, marriage, and a demanding career... all while wondering if going back to work is changing his relationship with his toddler and 4-month-old.In this episode of The Jones Family Playbook, Keith opens up about the guilt of going back to work and what it felt like when his two-year-old stopped rushing to the door to greet him.Then, after their toddler falls off the bed and reaches for Dad for comfort, something changes. That moment gives Keith the reassurance he desperately needed: going back to work didn’t mean his boys loved him any less.Keith and Holly also talk honestly about sharing the mental load, staying connected as husband and wife, why dads sometimes feel pressure to “just deal with it,” and whether work can actually be a healthy escape from parenting.And as two journalists and parents, they discuss how becoming parents has completely changed the way they experience and report the news.In this episode:• Returning to work after parental leave• Returning to work after paternity leave• Dad guilt and working-parent guilt• Parenting two young boys• What happens when your toddler stops running to you• Balancing marriage, parenting, and a demanding career• The pressure fathers feel to provide• Work-life balance for working parents• How becoming parents changes your identity• How parenthood changes the way journalists see the news• Why communication matters when both parents are overwhelmedOUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is a weekly parenting and marriage podcast hosted by Keith and Holly Jones, two broadcast journalists and working parents raising two young boys.It's where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet — with honest conversations about marriage, parenting, family life, work, and everything that comes with raising a family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNews#Parenting #DadLife #WorkingDad #ParentalLeave #Fatherhood #ToddlerParenting #Marriage #FamilyPodcast

Having a second baby can bring a marriage closer together, but it can also leave you completely exhausted. In this episode of The Jones Family Playbook, we get honest about what life is really like with two boys under two.And there's a special guest joining us the entire time: our infant son, Callan! We also play Red Flag or Green Flag, debating everything from going to bed angry and opposite-sex friends to separate vacations, splitting household chores, and whether couples who never argue are actually a red flag.Then we get into one of our biggest parenting conversations yet: Are the "terrible twos" really terrible? We talk toddler tantrums, boundaries, discipline, independence, and why parents may be too quick to label normal learning behavior as "bad behavior."In this episode:Life with two boys under twoHow baby #2 has changed our marriageMarriage, exhaustion and finding time for each otherRed Flag or Green Flag: relationships and parentingGoing to bed angryOpposite-sex friendships in marriageSeparate vacations and separate bedroomsSplitting household choresThe mental load and who does more at homeUsing AI for parenting adviceToddler tantrums and boundariesThe "terrible twos" debateGentle parenting vs. firm disciplineToddler independence and stranger dangerWhy normal learning behavior isn't necessarily "bad behavior"Parenting two very different boysAnd, of course, plenty of Callan 🥰OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet. Hosted by Holly and Keith, two broadcast journalists and working parents, this weekly podcast brings a blend of humor, honesty, and heart to every conversation, creating a trusted space that feels like a growing family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNewsAll Rights Reserved.Copyright 2026.#Parenting #Marriage #ParentingTwoKids #ToddlerParenting #MomAndDad #FamilyPodcast #TerribleTwos

Going back to work after having a baby is hard. But after spending 16 weeks at home with our two boys, Keith wasn't prepared for just how emotional it would be.In this episode of The Jones Family Playbook, Keith opens up about the end of his 16 weeks of parental leave and what it feels like to leave his family and return to work. We talk honestly about dad guilt, working-parent guilt, motherhood, raising two kids under two, and why parents, especially fathers, shouldn't feel ashamed for being emotional.Then, Holly surprises Keith with something she had been secretly writing for days: a letter about the 16 weeks he chose to spend at home with his family. ❤️This episode is for every parent who has struggled with the push and pull between work and family, and for anyone trying to make the most of the little moments before they become memories.In this episode:• Going back to work after parental leave• Why dads should take paternity leave• Dad guilt and working-parent guilt• The emotional reality of leaving your kids• Raising two boys under two• Holly's anxiety about parenting alone in the mornings• Why men should feel comfortable showing emotion• An emotional letter from wife to husband• Giving yourself grace as a parent• Finding gratitude in the chaos of family lifeOUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet. Hosted by Holly and Keith, two broadcast journalists and working parents, this weekly podcast brings a blend of humor, honesty, and heart to every conversation, creating a trusted space that feels like a growing family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNewsAll Rights Reserved.Copyright 2026.#Parenting #ParenalLeave #MaternityLeave #PaternityLeave #WorkingParents #DadLife #Parenthood #Marriage #FamilyPodcast

Holly and Keith get very honest about the emotional side of parenting two young kids: moving Callen into his own room, feeling guilty about dividing your attention between two children, breastfeeding and postpartum body image, and the strange feeling of watching your babies become more independent.We also talk about Holly's experience as Miss Philadelphia 2016, how that chapter shaped her identity, Keith's early days in television, and why the hardest moments in our lives can sometimes lead us exactly where we're supposed to be.And, naturally, Keith considers shaving his entire face.It's another very real conversation about parenting, marriage, identity, and trying to figure out what the heck we're doing along the way.If you're a parent who's ever felt guilty, nostalgic, overwhelmed, or completely unprepared for how quickly your kids grow up… you'll probably relate.OUR LINKShttps://linktr.ee/jonesfamilyplaybook👋🏻 ABOUT USThe Jones Family Playbook is where real love, laughter, and parenthood meet. Hosted by Holly and Keith, two broadcast journalists and working parents, this weekly podcast brings a blend of humor, honesty, and heart to every conversation, creating a trusted space that feels like a growing family.Follow Holly!www.instagram.com/HollyHarrarTVFollow Keith!www.instagram.com/KeithJonesNewsAll Rights Reserved.Copyright 2026.#Parenting #ParentingPodcast #Marriage #MomGuilt #TheJonesFamilyPlaybook